WYOMING — Only a few days into taking Endurance Fund applications, The Wyoming Business Council will prioritize the review and approval of applicants due to a lack of funds. 

The window to apply opened on Nov. 2 and will close Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. 

The fund has about $24 million for businesses and select nonprofits to cover COVID-19 related losses and expenses. Currently, more than 1,600 entities have submitted applications, totaling more than $161 million in relief requests.

To ensure financial help reaches entities with the fewest resources and the greatest need, the Business Council has prioritized Endurance Fund applicants who have not received previous COVID-19 Business Relief Program funding.  

“We will continue to accept applications for the Endurance Fund and place applicants on a waiting list,” Business Council CEO Josh Dorrell said. “We want to encourage businesses in need to apply so that we can understand the true need and be prepared if other monies become available. With the deadline for CARES Act funding approaching, we want to continue to meet the needs of as many businesses and nonprofits as possible.”

 The Business Council will review applications in the order they were received within this prioritization. The Business Council encourages entities to apply sooner rather than later, emphasizing applications are not guaranteed funding at this time, and applicants will be placed on waitlists.?

 Under the Endurance Fund, awards up to $250,000 are available for affected Wyoming businesses with at least one full-time employee. Eligible nonprofits in Wyoming include 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6), 501(c)(12) and 501(c)(19) with no more than 50 percent of time spent on lobbying. There is no minimum employee requirement for nonprofits in this fund, making volunteer-run organizations eligible.

 Applications also are now open for the Agriculture Fund, which has $90 million available to help Wyoming farmers and ranchers offset losses and specific expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Awards up to $250,000 are available in this fund, which also closes on Nov. 18 at 8 p.m.

 Details, updates, and application links are available here.