LANSING — Michigan’s nonprofits who are struggling with the negative impacts and hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic can now take the first step to receive much needed funding from the $35 million MI Nonprofit Relief Fund for serving their hard-hit communities.

The Michigan Nonprofit Association and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity announced the launch of the “intent to apply” phase for the relief fund, which is focused on assisting small charitable nonprofit organizations.

Nonprofits can fill out the intent to apply at MiNonprofitRelief.org. MNA membership is not required to apply.

The bipartisan relief program was signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as part of FY23 budget and program funding comes from the federal Coronavirus Relief Funds awarded to the state of Michigan as part of the American Rescue Plan Act. The relief fund, designed for small nonprofits, is part of a two-part grant program. An additional $15 million in grants will be available to larger nonprofits later this year.