Closing date nears for community flood relief fund

NEW LONDON, WI — The New London Area Chamber Foundation recently announced that applications for the New London Area Community Flood Relief program will officially close on October 31, 2026, at midnight. New applicants, including individuals, local businesses, and non-profit organizations, who sustained damage from the severe April 2026 flood event are urged to submit their applications prior to the deadline. October 31st marks five and a half months since the micro grant application was released and opened to support the community's recovery and long-term rebuilding efforts.

Community Impact & Program Milestones

The New London Area Community Flood Relief Fund is a short-term, goal-oriented, community-donated program created to support those who suffered severe damage and faced financial gaps following the April 2026 floods. As of October 26, 2026, the foundation has disbursed a total of $135,000 in vital assistance across several key categories:

• Individual Awards Completed: $74,245.60 (representing 45% of individual flood relief support)
• Business Awards Completed: $27,183.11
• Non-Profit Awards Completed: $5,000.00
• Paid Contracting Work for Remediation: $15,733.96
• Essential Household Replacement: 6 GE Appliances purchased to replace items lost in the flood

Current Application Processing Status

For applicants who have already submitted a micro grant application but have not yet received an award decision, the Foundation is actively reviewing and processing requests:

• Current Phase: The review committee is currently completing Priority 3 Individual applications and Priority 2 Business applications.
• Largest Category: The Priority 3 category represents the largest pool of applications compared to the other remaining phases.
• Remaining Review: One final priority category remains to be processed following the completion of this current phase.

Applicants wishing to check the status or priority category of their submitted application are encouraged to email the New London Area Chamber Foundation for details.

Driven by Community Support and Partnership

This critical relief program was made possible through individual donations, dedicated fundraising events, multiple grant awards, and generous corporate philanthropy from donors who believed in this initiative and trusted the New London Area Chamber Foundation to carry out its mission.

While the total flood damage across the region exceeded the fund’s overall operating capacity, that challenge did not deter the Foundation from meeting its goals. Every dollar contributed has made a tangible difference—from helping local businesses repair critical physical structures to assisting individuals with replacing lost household items and repairing severely damaged flooring. In one impactful instance, a micro-grant enabled the restoration of essential electrical service, allowing a displaced family to safely return home.

How to Apply & Contact Information

Eligible individuals, business owners, and non-profit organizations seeking flood relief micro-grant support must complete and submit their applications by October 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM (midnight) to plehnherr@newlondonchamber.com. If you need an application, reach out to the email address provided to obtain one.

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