The Brazos Valley COVID-19 Community Relief Fund has granted a total of $1,038,078 to 12 nonprofits and 92 small businesses in the Brazos Valley impacted by COVID-19 response and containment efforts. Of the funds awarded thus far, $429,660 are from the city of Bryan’s match.
The goal of the Brazos Valley COVID-19 Community Relief Fund is to provide funds to nonprofits for assistance measures such as food, rent, and utility relief for residents along with small business relief as the community follows social distancing and isolation measures to curb the spread of the illness within the community. Small businesses could apply for payroll assistance programs with these funds to help keep workers employed.
The Brazos Valley COVID-19 Community Relief Fund has raised more than $1,125,549 through local businesses and philanthropic donors. The city of Bryan has matched these funds one-to-one up to $500,000 for organizations operating in Bryan city limits. There are several ways residents can support the Brazos Valley COVID-19 Community Relief Fund.
Texas A&M University Athletics along with head football coach Jimbo Fisher and head men’s basketball coach Buzz Williams are joining hands with the Brazos Valley COVID-19 Community Relief Fund via the auction of a donated vehicle. The prize is a red obsession tint coat 2014 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon that was generously donated by an anonymous donor. The auction will begin on Friday, May 8, at 1pm, and extend until Friday, May 15, at 8pm.
Fisher and Williams will sign the engine cover of the car for the winner of the vehicle at the conclusion of the sale. Texas A&M fans, collectors, or people simply interested in supporting a worthy cause can access the auction page at https://bit.ly/ReliefAuction.
Direct donations to the Brazos Valley COVID-19 Community Relief Fund can be made by texting BVCOVID19 to 41444 or by donating online at www.uwbv.org/covid19.
The Brazos Valley COVID-19 Community Relief Fund is also pleased to announce the grant recipients for Phase III Round I of funding. During this round of funding, the Brazos Valley COVID-19 Community Relief Fund is granting $307,048 to seven nonprofits for programs to help Brazos Valley residents and 33 small businesses to assist with payroll or rent. For a full list of grant recipients, visit www.uwbv.org/covid19.
Phase III Round I nonprofit grant recipients of the Brazos Valley COVID-19 Community Relief Fund include:
- Brazos Valley Cares, Inc.
- Brazos Valley Food Bank, Inc.
- Bridge Ministry of Burton, Texas
- Catholic Charities of Central Texas
- Faith Mission and Help Center, Inc.
- The REACH Project
- The Salvation Army of Bryan/College Station
Phase III Round I small business grant recipients of the Brazos Valley COVID-19 Community Relief Fund include:
- Advance Therapy
- Ben’s Barbershop
- Blackwater Draw Brewing Co.
- Brazos Cedar Works
- Brazos Glassworks
- Brazos Interfaith Immigration Network
- Bullfrogs & Butterflies Child Care Center
- C&J Barbecue
- Cake Junkie
- Casiano Electric, LLC
- Catalena Hatters
- Comfort Inn & Suites
- Doggett Auto Parts
- Down Syndrome Association of the Brazos Valley
- Edythe’s Crown of Glory Hair Salon
- Flying Penguin Ice
- Genesis Yoga
- Guggenheim Acupuncture
- Harvest Coffee Downtown, LLC
- Infinity Sports & Entertainment
- Jazzy’s Hair Studio
- Laura’s Custom Framing
- Mel’s Place, LLC
- Mi Pueblito Mexican Restaurant
- Must Be Heaven
- Mutual Medical, Inc.
- Oishi Sushi Asian Fusion
- Purple Turtle Art Studio
- Sevcik’s Service Center
- Texas Precast Fence LLC
- Zands Persian Kebabs LLC
Two businesses did not consent to being publicly recognized
The review committee will continue to review applications and make additional funding decisions until all raised funds have been dispersed. Grant recipients are being contacted via email with further instructions on claiming their grant funds.
This grant funding is designed to help existing nonprofit organizations and small businesses, therefore individuals are not eligible to receive monies from this fund. Individuals can contact 2-1-1 Texas, by dialing 2-1-1 or by visiting www.211texas.org, to receive referrals to nonprofit organizations receiving a grant from the Brazos Valley COVID-19 Community Relief Fund.
For more information, visit www.uwbv.org/covid19.
