On July 8, 2021 Chugach’s Board of Directors approved Resolution 21-18 funding two shareholder COVID-19 grant relief programs and two COVID-19 grant relief programs for Chugach region affiliates and entities. To track and administer the funding, Chugach is using Submittable, a social impact platform for grant management. Submittable will allow shareholders to complete and track the application status online, and allow Chugach to track the use of funds.
FAQ Category: CRF Program
Can Chugach issue dividends with the CRF?
No. Guidance received from the U.S. Treasury Department states that per capita payments without an assessment of individual need would not be an appropriate use of payments from the fund.
Are these grant funding opportunities subject to taxes?
Grant program funding to support small businesses is not excluded from the business’ gross income under the Internal Revenue Code, and is therefore taxable.
For more information on taxes and small business please visit the Internal Revenue Services here.
Has Chugach received any other COVID-19 funding?
No, Chugach has not applied for or received any other COVID-19 funding.
How are the COVID-19 Grant Relief Programs funded?
Funding recipients have the discretion to determine the assistance programs they establish in response to COVID-19. However, these programs must be structured to ensure that assistance is determined to be necessary in response to COVID-19 and otherwise satisfies the requirements of the CARES Act and other applicable law.
How can the Coronavirus Relief Funds be used?
Subsection 601(d) of the Social Security Act, as added by section 5001 of the CARES Act, states that the funds can cover only those costs of the State, Tribal government or unit of local government that:
- Are necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to COVID-19;
- Were not accounted for in the budget most recently approved as of March 27, 2020 (the date of enactment of the CARES Act) for the State or government; and
- Were incurred during the period that begins on March 1, 2020 and ends on Dec. 31, 2021.
For more information on the CARES Act, click here.
What is the timeline for grant funding opportunities?
Funds received must cover costs that were incurred by Dec. 31, 2021. All unspent funds must be returned to the Department of the Treasury.
How was the Tribal Relief Funding determined?
Payment amounts to Tribal governments from the Coronavirus Relief Fund are determined by the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and Indian Tribes.
For more information on the consultation process and allocation determination, click here.
How are Alaska Native Corporations eligible for the CARES Act Tribal Relief Funding?
As Alaska Native Corporations, our mandate under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) is to support our Alaska Native shareholders economically, culturally and socially. We have a legal responsibility to serve our Alaska Native shareholders and communities. We work collaboratively with our Alaska tribes because our tribal rights were bifurcated by the federal government such that our tribes have sovereign status, while Alaska Native Corporations own our Native lands. Together, we represent the full set of interests of our Alaska Native people.
For more information on ANCs and the CARES Act please visit the ANCSA website.
Why are Alaska Native corporations included in the CARES Act for Tribal Relief Funding?
Alaska Native regional and village corporations are “tribes” under the CARES Act and are therefore eligible for funding. Treasury has determined that Alaska Native regional and village corporations as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act are eligible to receive payments from the Fund in the amounts to be determined by the Secretary of the Treasury.
For more information on ANCs eligibility under the CARES Act click here.