Applications for the New Hampshire General Assistance & Preservation (GAP) Fund will open on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, on the GOFERR and BFA websites

The Governor has authorized the allocation and expenditure of $30M of CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (“flex funds”) for the New Hampshire General Assistance & Preservation (GAP) Fund to provide emergency financial relief to New Hampshire businesses and nonprofit organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but that have been unable to access support from other existing state and federal programs.

For-Profit Businesses that may qualify must:

• Be a for-profit business
• If a franchise, be a single-unit franchise
• Have at least one (1), non-owner employee
• Have its principal place of business in New Hampshire
• Have been in operation for at least one year prior to May 29, 2020
• Not currently be in bankruptcy
• Not have permanently ceased operations
• Be in Good Standing with the New Hampshire Secretary of State
• Demonstrate a quantifiable financial impact on their business due to the
• COVID-19 pandemic

Nonprofit organizations that may qualify must:

• Be a nonprofit organization that is not a 501c(3) or 501c(6)
• Have its principal place of operations in New Hampshire
• Conduct charitable activities
• File an annual report with the Attorney General’s Charitable Trusts Unit
• Have a primary purpose that is not lobbying and/or legislative advocacy
• Not currently be in bankruptcy
• Not have permanently ceased operations
• Be in Good Standing with the New Hampshire Secretary of State
• Demonstrate a quantifiable effect on their organization by the COVID-19 pandemic

In addition, the following types of organizations are not eligible for grants under the GAP Fund as alternative relief programs were designed to address the needs of these entities using CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds (“flex funds”):

• Hospitals or other healthcare providers
• Institutions of higher education
• Elementary or secondary schools
• Farmers, growers, or maple producers
• A business where the only employees are owners of the business

Important Dates & Timeline

• Application Period – July 21, 2020 – August 4, 2020
• Application Verification Period – August 5, 2020 – August 18, 2020

Additional details regarding the New Hampshire GAP Fund, including where to apply, will become available at the latest on Tuesday, July 21, 2020.