In April, the Thryv Small Business Foundation wired funds to several recipients of its Small Business COVID-19 Grant Program. After receiving thousands of applications, the foundation recently wired a third round of grants to additional small businesses in need.*
Foundation leaders say they will continue fundraising to support struggling small businesses.
Recognizing Recipients
Meet some of the latest grant recipients, below.**
USA Foundation Repair
USA Foundation Repair is a family-owned foundation, roofing and plumbing repair business in Corpus Christi, Texas. With 14 employees and more than 20 contractors, their biggest concern during the COVID-19 crisis is keeping their team employed despite business slowing down dramatically.
While they’ve applied for other loans and haven’t heard back, USA Foundation Repair says they’ll use the grant to continue paying employees.
eye&I Eyecare
eye&I is a locally owned and fairly new optometry practice in Bayside, New York. Despite fast growth in the beginning of 2020, even bringing on additional part-time staff, COVID-19 forced them to close their doors indefinitely. Though they’re offering virtual and emergency ocular services, the revenue doesn’t cover costly overhead expenses.
eye&I says the grant will help them pay rent, utilities and payroll costs so they can continue providing emergency services and can reopen once allowed.
Girl Contracting, Inc.
Girl Contracting is a woman-led construction business that specializes in both commercial and residential design, build and renovations in Pennsylvania. The pandemic not only slowed residential spending on remodeling projects, it halted one of their biggest projects renovating a school cafeteria. It also affected the supply chain and their ability to get materials to support projects still in progress, adding to the chaos and uncertainty.
Girl Contracting says the grant will help make up for a near total loss in revenues since early March.
JR Paving & Construction Co., Inc.
JR Paving & Construction is a paving services business in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While they typically run 3 crews a day, the virus has forced that number down to 0. But like many businesses, a loss in revenues hasn’t lowered the expenses that remain.
JR Paving & Construction says the grant will help them continue paying for critical business tools like technology so they’re prepared to continue serving their community once able.
Kathy Mays Lakeview Cafe
Kathy Mays Lakeview Cafe is a family-owned restaurant in Huntington Beach, California. The passing of its founder devastated the business two years ago, and now the Coronavirus is threatening their future. Despite offering takeout and to-go meals, the cafe is barely able to make ends meet.
Kathy Mays Lakeview Cafe will use the grant to stay open for business and carry on the family legacy.
Riverside Flower Club
Riverside Flower Club is a locally owned florist in Riverside, California. Owner Ellen says the pandemic has forced her to lay off nearly all of her staff, throw away flowers she’d been saving for events that will no longer happen, and transition to a no-contact business. Unfortunately, bills for vendors continue to pile up.
Riverside Flower Club says the grant will help them pay outstanding sales tax and reimburse vendors for the flowers they had to destroy.
Sparkle Pool and Spa LLC
Sparkle Pool and Spa is a Las Vegas-based pool and spa servicing business with both commercial and residential customers. The pandemic has caused many of their customers to discontinue pool servicing due to economic uncertainty. With 7 staff members still on payroll, they’re fighting to stay in business despite the decrease in revenues.
Sparkle Pool and Spa says the grant will help them stay open and continue paying their team. They also emphasized that pool services need to continue operating to protect communities from mosquitos that are attracted to green pools. They’re even offering to drain pools with green water for free.
Taylor’s Tacos
Taylor’s Tacos is a full service street-style taco catering company based in Chicago. Prior to COVID-19, the business averaged about 20 catering events a month and was growing rapidly. Unfortunately, the pandemic forced them to cancel every event until the end of May. While they’ve transitioned their business to delivering individual meals, the revenue they’re bringing in will not support their business in the long term.
Taylor’s Tacos says the grant will provide them working capital to contribute to their kitchen lease, payroll and inventory.
Nanna O’s Catering
Nanna O’s Catering in Knightdale, North Carolina is redefining fresh food prep in their local catering industry. While they expected 2020 to be their best year yet with several weddings booked, the virus had other plans. Their expected revenue has decreased to nearly nothing.
Nanna O’s Catering says the grant will help them transition their efforts to a mobile food truck and integrate with food delivery services like Uber Eats and Grubhub.
Want to help?
Due to the overwhelming demand, grant applications are now closed. But plenty of small businesses still need help.
Click here to donate and help more struggling small businesses. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Find additional COVID-19 crisis resources for small businesses here.
