Chamber Foundation announces flood relief micro-grants for residents

NEW LONDON— In response to the historic flooding that affected the New London community from April 16 to April 20, 2026, the New London Area Chamber Foundation has officially opened applications for its Community Flood Relief Fund Micro-Grant program.
Launched on May 28, 2026, this collaborative effort aims to provide small, tax-exempt financial assistance to local households and businesses that have experienced severe damage to their properties, as well as to families who have been displaced or/and have lost essential household functioning items.
“This process has taken an incredible amount of collaboration, care, and responsibility because we want to ensure these funds are distributed fairly, legally, and directly to those facing the greatest unmet needs,” said April Kopitzke, Executive Director of the New London Area Chamber of Commerce.
“We know families and businesses are hurting, and while we cannot fully replace what was lost, we are committed to getting meaningful support into the hands of our community as quickly and responsibly as possible.”
The fund prioritizes support for individuals, businesses, and families that have the greatest unmet needs. Due to limited funds, grants will be allocated based on an objective, need-based assessment carried out by the Flood Relief Ad Hoc Committee, in line with the guidelines set by the IRS for disaster relief funding for 501(c)(3) organizations.

Available Relief Categories
Eligible applicants can request assistance across four urgent disaster impact categories:
• Housing & Evacuation Relief: Covers out-of-pocket expenses incurred during the city evacuation dates (April 16–22), such as hotel stays, temporary housing security deposits, or emergency storage units.
• Emergency Medical Assistance: Assists with medical copays, prescription replacements, or emergency transportation resulting from flood-related injuries or evacuation.
• Housing Repair & Rehabilitation: Portions of funding for structural repairs to primary residences or vital mold remediation.

• Essential Household Contents: Helps replace critical appliances (refrigerators, stoves, washers/dryers), basic furniture, clothing, and bedding.

IRS Compliance & Grant Limitations
To ensure strict compliance with IRS regulations under Section 139 for disaster relief, the Foundation notes that these grants are entirely tax-exempt but carry specific legal boundaries:
• Needs-Based Documentation: Grants cannot be used to “make an applicant whole” or fully save a home; rather, they provide meaningful aid where financial resources are lacking.
• No Insurance Duplication: Funds cannot cover expenses that have been or will be reimbursed by insurance, FEMA, or other state financial assistance programs.

• No Income Replacement: The program cannot provide funding for lost wages, lost business income, or unemployment compensation.

How to Apply
The micro-grant application is open to any New London area resident or business that has experienced severe property damage or displacement within the affected areas.
Applicants must fill out the form completely, sign the required IRS disaster-use certification, and return the document in person or by mail to the New London Chamber of Commerce, or via email to plehnherr@newlondonchamber.com.
Due to limited funding, the committee has determined that not all applicants will be approved. Maximum grant amounts for households will be based on the final availability of funds and IRS funding guidelines.

Residents with high needs are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.

About the New London Area Chamber Foundation
Established in 2024, the New London Area Chamber Foundation is a nonprofit organization recognized under 501(c)(3) status. It is dedicated to creating a meaningful, long-term impact while promoting economic vitality and fostering community pride in the region. As a catalyst for purposeful growth, the Foundation actively pursues grants, sponsorships, and donations to support high-impact initiatives.