Harris County Business Relief Fund

Project Description

Harris County created the $30 million Harris County Business Relief Fund to accelerate recovery for microenterprises and small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund provided grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to eligible microenterprises and small businesses located inside Harris County. LiftFund, a Texas Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with over 25 years of experience serving small and underserved entrepreneurs, administered the program and coordinated outreach through 90 community partners and five navigator agencies. Use of grant funds was restricted to business-related expenses including payroll, working capital, business rent, inventory, supplies, equipment, and other operating costs.

To qualify for the program, applicants had to meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Located within Harris County
  • Registered business operating in Harris County
  • Must have 30 or fewer employees (including part-time, contractors, full-time employees and owners)
  • In operation before April 2020
  • Experienced negative impact on operations due to the pandemic
  • Annual revenue of less than $500,000 dollars in 2019 and 2020
  • In good standing with the Texas Comptroller’s office with no outstanding tax obligations or liabilities

PRIMARY PARTNERSHIPS

SECONDARY PARTNERS

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Harris County and LiftFund launched a joint marketing and outreach plan that included press releases, an online outreach toolkit, paid media advertising, social media advertising, email promotion, and webinars. LiftFund subcontracted with five navigators to perform additional outreach and assist small businesses with applications. Over 90 partners such as the SBA, chambers of commerce, and community organizations assisted with promotion.

TARGET IMPACT

Harris County partnered with LiftFund to create the $30 million-dollar Harris County Business Relief Fund aimed at supporting pandemic recovery for microenterprises and small businesses, helping them stay in business, catch up on past-due expenses, retain staff, and accelerate job growth.

Key performance indicators (KPIs) of this program included:

  • Number of Applications Received
  • Number of Applications Processed
  • Number of Applications Approved
  • Number of Grants Provided
  • Amount Paid (Total)

WEBSITE LINK

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USE OF EVIDENCE & PROGRAM EVALUATIONS

Overall program design of the Harris County Business Relief Fund was grounded in evidence, such as using a prioritization index to maximize equitable outcomes (rather than a first come-first serve basis), including factors such as which sectors had been most impacted by the pandemic. Subequent data analysis and recipient surveys allowed evaluation of the program based on variable such as:

  • Applicant and Beneficiary demographics
  • Industry
  • Business size
  • Perceptions of business sustainability
  • Business operations
  • New job creation
  • Business needs and challenges
  • Funding utilization
  • Employee recruitment and turnover
  • Perceived likelihood of remaining in business

PHOTOS