The Lyme Foundation announces an important new resource immediately available for Lyme citizens, families, and businesses challenged by the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thanks to a generous donation from longtime Lyme residents Bayne and Jeanie Stevenson, the Lyme Foundation has established the Lyme COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund. The Fund will provide direct financial assistance to individuals, families, and businesses adversely affected by the pandemic. The initial size of the Fund is $50,000.
Individuals and families, whether Lyme residents or residents of another town working for a business located in Lyme, may apply for grants of up to $1,000, based on needs and available funding. Applicants will need to include information on current and expected future financial needs. Businesses applying for a grant will use separate application, and will also need to supply information on their current and expected future financial needs. Grant amounts for businesses will depend on needs and available funding. Applicants must clearly indicate how the pandemic and/or economic downturn has adversely affected them.
Applications for both grants are available on the Lyme Foundation website, www.lymefoundation.org. You may pick up a paper application at the Lyme Town Offices or outside the Lyme Post Office/Lyme Home and Hardware. You may also request an application be mailed to you by calling the Lyme Community Help Line at 795-0603 or emailing lymecovidrelief@gmail.com. Completed applications may be mailed to The Lyme Foundation at P.O. Box 292, Lyme, N.H. 03768, emailed to lymecovidrelief@gmail.com, or submitted online through the Lyme Foundation website.
Grants for individuals and families will be reviewed by members of the Pearl Dimick committee. Business grant applications will be evaluated by an ad hoc Lyme Business committee comprised of current and former Lyme residents with relevant skills and experience and led by a member of the Lyme Foundation board. Depending on the number and amount of grant requests, the Lyme Foundation Board may also review grant requests for either type of grant. The applications and award discussions will be kept confidential, and information will be shared only among members of the Pearl Dimick committee, the Lyme Business committee, or the Lyme Foundation Board as appropriate.
Not-for-profit organizations in Lyme or serving Lyme residents which are interested in applying for grant funding from the Lyme Foundation should continue to use the Foundation Grant application currently available on the Lyme Foundation website. The Lyme Foundation Board will expedite review of grant applications related to COVID-19 relief.
Please share this news with your neighbors and friends, particularly those who might benefit most from this important new town resource. If you are interested in donating to the Lyme COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund, donations may be made online or mailed to The Lyme Foundation at P.O. Box 292, Lyme, N.H. 03768. Checks should be made out to the Lyme Foundation with “COVID-19 Relief Fund” in the memo line.
The health, safety and well-being of the Lyme community have been the Lyme Foundation’s concern for more than 30 years. Now, as Lyme faces one of our greatest challenges, we are grateful for the opportunity provided by this generous donor to together work for the common good once more.