Loans Available For Utah Non-Profits, Charities During Economic Downturn

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – More than 500 small, local businesses have received over $6 million in loans from the state, and officials announced non-profits would now be eligible for those loans as well.

Monday’s announcement was welcome news for many charitable organizations that have been struggling to keep the lights on.

If Joseph Carbone could be anywhere right now, it would be at his clinic, Eye Care 4 Kids in Midvale.

“We provide visions screenings, eye exams and eyeglasses to people who otherwise couldn’t afford these services,” said Carbone.

Instead of conducting eye exams, he’s sitting in his home office thinking about the 50-to-70 children he isn’t seeing each day.

“I think about what happens now when a child breaks their glasses as children often do and there is no one to help them,” he said.

He’s had to furlough 13 employees, who he said were “like family.”

“Yeah, that was so heartbreaking,” he said. “Then I got a call from our banker with some good news.”

On Monday, the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development opened up a second round of applications for zero-interest loans. This time, non-profits like Eyecare4Kids can apply.

“The work that we’re doing along with so many other non-profits is so critical,” said Lindsay Kaeding with the Utah Adoption Exchange. “Our work needs to continue more than ever.”

The Adoption Exchange is a non-profit located in Murray that helps connect Utah children living in foster care with adoptive families. Kaeding plans to apply for a loan by the Thursday morning deadline.

“It breaks my heart to think that people need us and we can’t be there,” she said.

Kaeding said, for now, they were still providing services but don’t know how long that can last. Their biggest fundraiser of the year was canceled the night before when Salt Lake County announced a restriction on large gatherings.

“It’s only a matter of time before we start having to cut back on services,” she said.

Val Hale with the governor’s office said $5.9 million was still available for struggling businesses and non-profit groups.

Both Kaeding and Carbone were hopeful their organization will make the cut and be able to continue to serve those in our community who need it most.

“We’re just crossing our fingers that it comes through,” Carbone said. “We are going to come through this. We need to demonstrate faith.”

Businesses who applied and didn’t receive funding in the first round will automatically be entered again. The applications are reviewed as quickly as possible then checks are sent in the mail.

To apply for a loan, visit www.coronavirus.utah.gov.

See the latest numbers and information from the Utah Coronavirus Task Force here.

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