Facebook Donating Grant Money to Iowa COVID Relief

Facebook came to Altoona, breaking ground on a data center in 2013, bringing jobs to the area, and now the Des Moines Register says the company is giving back to its community during the Coronavirus pandemic.

$350,000 in grants from the social media and internet giant will be made available to small businesses, nonprofit groups and individuals struggling during the crisis in eastern Polk County. The deadline to apply is Monday, June 1 and the application process can be found here.

The application website says the fund is open to "small businesses & Nonprofits located in Altoona, Bondurant, Mitchellville, Pleasant Hill and Runnells are eligible to apply. Any business, 501(c)(3) & 501(c)(6) non-profit organization, 501(c)(19) veterans organization, or Tribal business concern (sec. 31(b)(2)(C)."

Businesses who apply need to have a physical presence in Altoona, Bondurant, Mitchellville, Pleasant Hill or Runnells. They must employ between 1 and 50 full-time or full-tim3 equivalent employees. You must demonstrate an income loss after March 1, 2020. Applicants must prove a need for working capital to support its payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expenses, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of its business.

Franchises and their local owners of national business chains in Altoona, Bondurant, Mitchellville, Pleasant Hill, or Runnells may apply.

If you would like to contribute to the East Polk Community Relief Fund, get that information here.