What is the Coronavirus Relief Fund?
The Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) is a federal initiative created in response to the COVID19 pandemic. Its purpose is to provide rapid, flexible financial assistance to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, as well as eligible nonprofit organizations, to help them address the health, economic, and social impacts of the virus.
Since its inception, the CRF has allocated billions of dollars to support a wide range of activities, from expanding testing and vaccination sites to keeping schools open and supporting small businesses.
Eligibility
Eligibility varies depending on the type of applicant. Below is a summary of the main categories:
- State and Local Governments: All 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and recognized tribal governments.
- Nonprofit Organizations: Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status that provide services directly related to pandemic response or mitigation.
- Educational Institutions: Public schools, colleges, and universities that need funding for remote learning, safety upgrades, or supplemental services.
- Healthcare Providers: Hospitals, clinics, and community health centers that are expanding capacity or purchasing critical supplies.
Applicants must demonstrate that the requested funds will be used for pandemicrelated activities and must comply with reporting requirements.
How to Apply
The application process is designed to be straightforward but requires careful preparation of documentation.
Stepbystep guide
- Register on Grants.gov: Create an account or log in to the federal grants portal.
- Locate the CRF Funding Opportunity: Search for Coronavirus Relief Fund or use the solicitation number provided by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
- Prepare Required Documents:
- Letter of Intent (if required)
- Detailed budget narrative
- Project description outlining the pandemicrelated need
- Proof of eligibility (e.g., incorporation documents, 501(c)(3) determination letter)
- Complete the Application Package: Fill out the Standard Form (SF) 424 and upload supporting documents.
- Submit before the Deadline: Most CRF rounds have strict cutoff dates. Late submissions are not accepted.
- Follow Up: After submission, monitor the Grants.gov inbox for any clarification requests.
Once approved, award letters will be issued electronically, and funds will be transferred via electronic funds transfer (EFT).
Permitted Uses of Funds
Fund recipients must use the money for activities that directly address COVID19 impacts. Typical allowable expenditures include:
- Purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies.
- Testing, contact tracing, and vaccination program costs.
- Expansion of telehealth services and digital infrastructure.
- Community outreach, public information campaigns, and languagespecific materials.
- Support for small businesses, including payroll assistance and rent relief.
- Transportation services for essential workers and vulnerable populations.
- Modifications to schools and childcare facilities to meet safety guidelines.
- Data collection, analysis, and reporting related to pandemic response.
Funds may not be used for nonpandemic related expenses such as capital improvements unrelated to health or safety, or for reimbursing previously incurred costs that were not directly linked to COVID19 response.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Typically 714 business days, provided all banking information is correct and there are no compliance issues.
A: Only if those staff members are performing pandemicrelated duties such as contact tracing, vaccine administration, or essential service delivery.
A: Recipients must submit quarterly financial reports, a final performance report, and, when applicable, a public notice of how the funds were used.
For additional questions, consult the official HHS website or contact your local grant management office.
