Several organizations received grants in response to COVID-19. | Stock Photo
Several organizations received grants in response to COVID-19. | Stock Photo
PAST of Union County is among 24 organizations receiving COVID-19 relief grants from Illinois Humanities, the Gazette-Democrat reported in late-May.
PAST, an organization that runs the Heritage House in Jonesboro, is receiving a grant along with the Gallatin Historical Society in Shawneetown, the Gen. John A. Logan Museum in Murphysboro, Washington County Historical Society in Nashville and Williamson County Historical Society in Marion, the Gazette-Democrat recorded on May 22.
Due to the coronavirus, PAST has been low on funds since it relies on fundraisers and donations, the Gazette-Democrat reported. Receiving the $2,500 grant will help the organization with utilities, insurance, lawn care, maintenance and its alarm system.
Illinois Humanities is distributing the grants to offer small businesses in Illinois relief from the coronavirus.
“Especially in this moment of duress, Illinois Humanities is proud to support not-for-profit organizations that promote the importance of the humanities in private and public life and that inspire collective action and hope,” Illinois Humanities Executive Director Gabrielle Lyon told the Gazette-Democrat. “These champions of the humanities make their communities and our whole state more vibrant.”
Illinois Humanities decided which organizations received the grants based on budget size, location, need and the actions the groups are taking to address their financial needs, the Gazette-Democrat reported. The 24 groups receiving grants are just the first of three rounds of funding, the Gazette-Democrat recorded. The other two rounds will be awarded and distributed by October 2020.
Grants from Illinois Humanities are used to offer relief, but they can also be awarded to support innovation, strengthen access to programming, support adaption and to highlight the state's resiliency to the coronavirus, the Gazette-Democrat reported.
The next two rounds of grants will be funded by the CARES Act, according to the Gazette-Democrat. Illinois Humanities is a nonprofit organization operating in Illinois that supports the local economy through its programs, educational services and grants.
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