Old Dillard Foundation Receives Florida Humanities "American Rescue Plan" COVID Relief Funding

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - July 28, 2022 - PRLog -- Florida Humanities, the statewide, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), has awarded Old Dillard Foundation a $10,000 grant for general operating costs to help recover from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to Covid 19, our revenue stream has significantly decreased. This urgently needed grant will be used to retain positions in our organization.

"The Old Dillard Foundation is an inclusive arts and humanities organization now in its 28th year of serving diverse audiences across South Florida.  Our primary audience is low to moderate-income minority residents of the 33313 and 33311corridors in Greater Fort Lauderdale. Health data indicates that these zip codes have been the most isolated and the most impacted by the Covid 19 pandemic. Our regular programming was in venues in these neighborhoods with the primary purpose of bringing the arts, history, education, and culture. The American Rescue Plan Fund has allowed us to retain staff to continue virtual and limited face-to-face programs. "(Patricia G.  West, Executive Director)

The NEH received $135 million from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, which was approved by Congress this past spring. The state humanities councils, including Florida Humanities, each received a portion of the NEH award to support museums, archives, historic sites, and other humanities-focused nonprofits. Old Dillard Foundation was one of 129 organizations in Florida that was awarded ARP funding totaling $1.88 million from Florida Humanities. The grants are intended to meet immediate operational needs in order for organizations to remain viable and maintain delivery of public humanities programming and resources in their communities. Florida Humanities received 188 applications for ARP funding, with nonprofits requesting the most funds for staffing and utilities.

These funds, said Florida Humanities Executive Director Dr. Nashid Madyun, provide a safety net for the organizations so they can focus on other priorities, such as fundraising and creating programming. "For smaller nonprofits, when bills are paid and staff are safe and intact, that type of alleviation is immeasurable," he said. "Florida Humanities is honored to provide a lifeline to our state's cultural and historic organizations, ensuring they continue to enrich their local communities, and the Sunshine State at large, for years to come."

Funding for this grant was provided by Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and NEH's Sustaining the Humanities through the American Rescue Plan (SHARP) initiative. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this announcement do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.

To learn more about Old Dillard Foundation please visit the website at www.olddillardfoundation.org