Earlier this month, the Thryv Small Business Foundation announced it was wiring funds to the first recipients of its Small Business COVID-19 Grant Program. After receiving thousands of applications, the foundation recently wired a second round of grants to additional small businesses in need.*
While there are other grant and loan programs available, foundation leaders say they’re proud to be financing these grants immediately so business owners can have cash on hand to stay afloat during the crisis.
Foundation leaders say they will continue fundraising to support struggling small businesses.
Recognizing Recipients
Meet some of the latest grant recipients, below.**
Little Land Fairview
Little Land is a pediatric developmental indoor facility. They offer therapy, play times, camp, even parents’ night out programs for children of all ages and abilities. The Little Land location in Fairview, Texas — a franchise — had only been open for about 4 months when the pandemic hit. They were forced to close to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Little Land says they will use the grant to supplement the working capital they’re already losing due to the closure.
Bonafide Foods LLC
Bonafide Foods is a small food truck and catering business in Sheridan, Wyoming — once voted Best Food Truck by Food Network! They focus on high quality, local ingredients, from-scratch cooking, and supporting their community. The COVID-19 crisis has caused multiple event cancellations and a significant loss of revenue.
Bonafide Foods says they will use the grant to stay in business and to give back to the community they live and work in.
De Leon Cleaning Service
De Leon Cleaning Service is a home cleaning services business in Long Beach, California. Though they are able to work while practicing social distancing and using personal protective equipment, many clients have cancelled upcoming appointments due to the pandemic. In April alone, they went from 50 scheduled cleanings to 5.
De Leon Cleaning Service says they will use the grant to pay for the technology they use to book appointments and manage online payments once they’re back to full capacity.
Earth Angel
Earth Angel is a sustainability consulting firm which serves the film and television industry in New York. They help reduce the environmental impact of entertainment production. Unfortunately, the pandemic has halted almost all entertainment production, dropping the demand for their services to almost nothing. They anticipate an 80% drop in revenue for April.
Earth Angel will use the grant to stay in business until they are allowed to return to sets and continue supporting the arts.
Infinity Texas Air
Infinity Texas Air is a Texas-based HVAC business. Because they’re deemed an essential business, they are still operating in extreme circumstances due to COVID-19. However, many consumers practicing social distancing are fearful to let technicians enter their homes, so they’ve pushed back or canceled appointments.
Infinity Texas Air will use the grant to continue paying their techs, so they’re fully staffed during the busiest summer months to come.
Knot Yourself
Knot Yourself is a massage business based in Medina, Ohio. Rachael, single mother and owner of Knot Yourself, says she had just recently started growing the business and expanding her client list when the pandemic hit.
Knot Yourself will use the grant to update their online presence and generate leads for future appointments.
London & London PLLC
London & London Attorneys At Law is a legal firm in Dallas, Texas. They practice mainly criminal and traffic law, including personal injury law. They say the first half of the year is typically busiest and sustains their business through the latter months. Due to the coronavirus, they’re seeing far fewer clients than they’d otherwise be serving. To weather the crisis, they laid off some key members of staff, and they reduced hours and pay for others.
London & London will use the grant to pay rent and bring back two staff members for another month.
SCRAP Creative Reuse
SCRAP Creative Reuse is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire creative reuse and environmentally sustainable behavior to six communities around the nation. Retail sales and education programs generate a majority of their revenue, which they say has significantly declined during the COVID-19 crisis.
SCRAP will use the grant to help pay essential bills including rent and utilities to stay afloat during the next few months.
Sweet Basil Alabama Inc.
Sweet Basil Alabama is a cafe and catering business in Florence, Alabama. The virus spread just before wedding season, reducing their monthly revenues by more than $20k. Having recently taken over the business, owner Ceri says she had put her entire savings into rebuilding its brand and reviving its balance sheet.
Sweet Basil Alabama will use the grant to stay in business through the pandemic. They won’t give up on their dream of again serving their famous white BBQ chicken and red, white and blue salad to loyal customers soon.
Twin County Tire & Automotive
Twin County Tire & Automotive Service prides themselves on being an honest and fair tire and repair business in Galax, Virginia. Though classified as an essential business during the pandemic, many of their customers have lost the ability to pay for their auto repair services. Since Virginia announced the “stay at home” order, they’ve lost more than half of their regular business.
Twin County Tire & Automotive will use the grant to keep staff on payroll and cover day-to-day operating expenses.
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.
