To the Editor:

The dual health and economic crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic is challenging our local merchants in unprecedented ways.

The Princeton Small Business Resiliency Fund was created to provide much needed relief to our community, with an eye toward rebuilding from the crisis in ways that will make our community healthier and stronger moving forward. As part of the initial round of funding, local businesses that met eligibility requirements were able to submit applications for up to $5,000 for COVID-related reopening expenses.

Before distributing the first round of grants at the end of this month, the Fund is making an appeal to the community to match a “challenge” grant from Princeton University to enable fuller funding of those businesses that applied. Currently, there are more worthy requests than money in the fund. Princeton University, which generously contributed the initial $250,000 to create the Fund, has pledged an extra $100,000 in matching dollars to double the impact of additional donations.

We have until Friday, August 21 to unlock this challenge funding before decisions are made about how much money can be distributed. To make a donation to the fund visit princetonresiliencyfund.org or mail a check to the Princeton Regional Chamber Foundation, 600 Alexander Road, Suite 3-2, Princeton NJ 08540. Checks should be made payable to the Princeton Regional Chamber Foundation; please note the Princeton Resiliency Fund on your check.

Please consider giving — your donation will be matched dollar for dollar by Princeton University and will help our small local businesses at this critical time.

Liz Lempert
Mayor

Michelle Pirone Lambros
Councilwoman