New relief fund makes grants available to restaurants and bars

Many businesses are facing tough times these days, and restaurants and nightspots have been especially hard hit by stay-at-home orders and physical distancing guidelines.

To help out, three Northern Kentucky community organizations have put together a relief fund for locally owned restaurants and bars.

The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Northern Kentucky Tri-ED and Horizon Community Funds of Northern Kentucky have partnered to provide local eateries the opportunity to enjoy some much needed relief – and they’re looking for suggestions in deciding who to help.

They’ve launched the “NKY Restaurant Relief Fund,” a first-of-its-kind stimulus program that will grant $1,000 to select local restaurants.

Here’s how the program will work: After purchasing a $50 minimum gift card to any qualifying Northern Kentucky restaurant or bar, an individual or business can then upload a copy of their receipt, address, and contact information to the Restaurant Relief Fund website. This will then automatically nominate the restaurant for one of ten $1,000 grants that will be awarded weekly.

The grant recipients will be chosen via a random drawing. Restaurants and bars will receive an entry for each receipt uploaded, and a selected establishment can only receive a grant once. Restaurants must be locally-owned and -operated to be eligible.

Initially, ten grants will be awarded on Thursday, April 16 and again on Thursday, April 23, during the NKY Chamber’s weekly podcast, Northern Kentucky Spotlight with Kathrine Nero.

Horizon Community Funds will act as the 501(c)(3) organization receiving all donated funds with NKY Tri-ED assisting and serving as the program’s administrator. The NKY Chamber will lead the fundraising effort for the NKY Restaurant Relief Fund.

The fund seeks to raise at least $20,000 and more than $50,000 through donations from businesses and individuals during the next two weeks. Direct contributions to the fund can also be made by visiting Horizon Community Funds’ website, www.horizonfunds.org.

“We know these small businesses have suffered tremendously and we want to provide hope and funds to these entrepreneurs,” says Lee Crume, President & CEO of Northern Kentucky Tri-ED.

“Our local restaurants not only provide us with food, but places to do business, celebrate special occasions and create lasting memories,” says Horizon Community Funds President Nancy Grayson. “Now, we can thank them by showing the legacy of our community is how we help our family and friends in their greatest time of need.”

To submit a receipt and nominate a restaurant, or for more information, visit nkychamber.com/nkyrestaurantrelief.