Presenting our next round of COVID-19 grant recipients

Grant amount: $5,000 for operating expenses. “Without this grant I would have had to close Café Deli-icious after 17 years,” says Leibach. Leibach’s business has been dependent on foot traffic from nearby colleges and offices. Without that, her business has been struggling – a lot. Leibach says the grant will help her adapt to a post-COVID-19 environment, including changing her menu, the way she gets food to customers, and her restaurant interior. “This $5,000 allows me to rethink how we are doing things and make the changes my business needs to move forward. This grant money will help us get through these changes & open up doors to new possibilities! I could not be more grateful to you and your sponsors.”

Award amount: $10,000 for payroll and operating. “COVID-19 has been challenging because although my chiropractic practice is considered essential, it has been limited by executive order. Business at one point was only one third of what it had been. I have not been able to obtain aid from the Paycheck Protection Program. This grant came at the perfect time. As our region opened up in Phase One and more people felt comfortable venturing out, my business has increased. This grant has allowed me to bring both my staff members back to the office during hours I am with patients.”

“This grant from the Community Loan Fund will help me keep my business running during the COVID 19 shutdown,” says Kersting. Kersting operates one of the few remaining leather companies in Gloversville, once a booming leather town. Sales have been down since the shutdown, with few manufacturers calling him for supplies. In fact, he estimates that he’s lost between 3-6 months in sales revenues.

Award amount: $3,900 for operating expenses. “Not knowing when I can implement services again, I am so grateful for this grant, as it will sustain me through summer. 85% of my business has been services (skincare and theatrical makeup), which I’m not able to perform right now. In the meantime I have tried to pivot by revamping The Makeup Curio web store, starting with skincare products and bundle specials for both home care products and theatrical kits.”

Award amount: $18,000 for operating expenses. “Simply speaking, the grant was a lifesaver for my company. It helped me pay workers when I won a project. It made it possible for me to pay rent, re-establish operational services, and begin the interview process to bring on an administrative person. More than that, it helped to relieve the stress that I was feeling in terms of securing necessary funding at a time when there was such a demand for this funding from much larger and established companies,” says Mann.