Eight Hilton Head Island Nonprofits Receive HUD COVID-19 Grants

In early August, the Town of Hilton Head Island was awarded $378,000 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to assist low- to moderate-income families affected by COVID-19. The Town partnered with Community Foundation of the Lowcountry to grant these funds to nonprofit organizations assisting Hilton Head Island residents with rent, utilities, mortgage, food, transportation, childcare, education and other needs. The funds are part of HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Program.

A task force of Hilton Head Island residents, including representatives from the Town of Hilton Head Island and the Community Foundation, convened to develop funding guidelines and to review and approve grant applications.

“Paying rent, putting food on the table and meeting the educational needs of their children are struggles many of our Island families are facing daily,” said Jackie Rosswurm, interim president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “These HUD grants will help to address some of their critical needs, as these COVID-related issues, unfortunately, are still in the forefront of our daily lives.”

Hilton Head Island Town Manager Steve Riley agrees. “It has been a challenging year for many families and individuals. When we received a HUD grant for COVID-related issues, we felt the best use of those funds was to support those whose lives have been affected by the current public health crisis,” he said.

The first awards were distributed the week of September 28. Eight nonprofits serving Hilton Head Island received grants. They were:

Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head: $25,000 to provide scholarships for their Distance Learning Program, serving children who live in Hilton Head Island and whose families meet HUD income eligibility requirements.

The Children’s Center: $25,000 for remediation and other sanitations costs needed to operate their programs for low- to moderate-income families.

The Hilton Head Island Deep Well Project: $25,000 for emergency housing expenses for Hilton Head Island residents who meet HUD income requirements.

Hilton Head Island Recreation Association: $3,000 for program expenses to operate the Smart Start Virtual Learning Program.

Neighborhood Outreach Connection: up to $25,000 for expenses to operate the full day program at The Oaks Learning Center, serving underserved neighborhoods in Hilton Head Island.

Sandalwood Community Food Pantry: $5,000 for meat to be distributed from the food pantry to low- to moderate-income residents of Hilton Head Island.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Holy Family Conference: $25,000 for rental relief and/or utility assistance for qualified residents of Hilton Head Island.

Volunteers in Medicine: $21,000 for PPE to keep clinic patients, staff and volunteers safe.

Additional grants will be distributed in the future. For more information about the grants, guidelines and timelines, visit cf-lowcountry.org or hiltonheadislandsc.gov or call Community Foundation of the Lowcountry at 843.681.9100.