Houses of worship and other private nonprofit organizations may be eligible for FEMA assistance to help reimburse costs for emergency protective measures, debris removal and restoration of facilities damaged by storms, straight-line-winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides affecting Kentucky between February 15-20, 2023.
FEMA’s Public Assistance program may provide financial assistance to certain private nonprofit organizations – including houses of worship – to restore facilities damaged or destroyed in this disaster. The federal share for Public Assistance projects is not less than 75 percent of the eligible cost. The state determines how the non-federal share of the cost of a project (up to 25 percent) is split with the sub-recipients such as houses of worship.
Eligibility Requirements for Houses of Worship:
Be located within the designated counties; and experienced property damage caused by February’s severe weather.
Provide a current ruling letter from the IRS granting tax exemption under Section 501 (c) (d) or (e) of the IRS Code of 1954, or documentation from the Kentucky Secretary of State indicating nonprofit status.
Provide proof of ownership or lease documents which establishes whose legal responsibility it is to repair incident-related impacts.
Eligible applicants must first apply to the U.S. Small Business Administration for a low-interest disaster loan before FEMA can determine if the organization is eligible for assistance. SBA disaster loans are a critical part of the application process. FEMA will provide financial assistance only if the house of worship is denied an SBA loan – or if the loan authorized is insufficient to cover repair costs. FEMA may only provide funding for eligible “Permanent Work” costs an SBA disaster loan does not cover.
The first step is to submit a Request for Public Assistance, which needs to happen by June 8, 2023.
FEMA has more information on submitting a Request for Public Assistance. Applicants should also contact their county emergency manager, Kentucky Emergency Management or email [email protected].
