Households Now Eligible to Request Four Free COVID-19 Tests

Households can now request a kit containing four free COVID-19 tests. Any household interested can visit COVIDtests.gov or go to the USPS website to place their order. According to the U.S. Postal Service, people can expect the rapid antigen COVID-19 tests by late January.

According to an article by NPR, shipments will be prioritized from ZIP codes that have had higher rates of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Because of this, the first 20 percent of testing kits will go to those areas every day.

For those who are in need of COVID-19 tests immediately and cannot wait, try your local retailers and pharmacies or visit one of the free testing sites in your area.

GrantWatch has a category specifically for COVID-19 grants. This category includes close to 1,000 grants for nonprofits, individuals, and businesses. These grants include funding for businesses hurt by the pandemic, access to testing sites, COVID-19 research, and rental or other financial assistance. In support of the nonprofits, first responders, and frontline workers, GrantWatch is sharing 10 grants from the COVID-19 category that are currently available.

10 COVID-19 Grants Currently Available

1. Firstly, there are grants to U.S. community-serving organizations, faith-based organizations, clinics, and tribal nations and organizations to improve and increase access to Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing. Applicants must submit an LOI prior to applying. The purpose of this program is to help advance training, capacity, support, and community experience with COVID-19 testing initiatives. Priority will be given to applicants working with underserved and vulnerable communities.
2. Funding is available for U.S. small businesses for financial assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding is for applicants that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic.
3. In addition, there are grants available to U.S. individuals for financial assistance during the COVID-19 crisis. Funding is to help service workers and tipped workers, including employees of salons, restaurants, and car service or delivery apps.
4. There are also grants of $10,000 to U.S. for-profit foodservice businesses owned by individuals of Asian and Pacific Island descent. The funding is for financial support following the Coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis. The goal of the program is to provide opportunities to those facing funding inequities, specifically the AAPI community.
5. Grants to nonprofits, state entities, and tribal entities to support COVID-19 relief efforts for grocery workers, meatpacking workers, and farmworkers.
6. Funding is available to U.S. first responders to assist with expenses. The grant is to offset financial hardships incurred as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
7. Grants to U.S. and territories certified organic and transitional agricultural producers to mitigate the negative financial impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Funding is to reimburse operators for costs associated with renewing their organic certification.
8. There are grants to U.S. and territories biofuel producers in eligible regions to mitigate financial losses due to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Funding is to help agricultural producers maintain and create more viable markets for products that supply biofuel production, such as corn, soybean or biomass. 
9. Grants to nonprofits, agencies, IHEs, and tribes for programs related to COVID-19 recovery, racial equality, and other national service concerns.
10. Finally, there are grants to U.S. tenants for rent support to mitigate the effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Funding is to assist lower income households, with priority going to eligible tribal members, that have been impacted by COVID. Funds may go to paying past due rent, utilities, relocation expenses, and, in some cases, rent-to-own assistance and WiFi.