Grand Rapids, Mich. – April 29, 2020 The Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation announced today that Priority Health has agreed to partner with the organization to drive donations to its new Rapid Response Economic Relief Fund. Priority Health has committed $25,000 to match individual donations made before May 31, 2020 to encourage support for the fund which provides short-term emergency financial relief to small businesses impacted by closures due to COVID-19.

“We’re grateful to have the partnership, support and generosity of Priority Health for our Rapid Response Economic Relief Fund,” said Rick Baker, President & CEO of the Grand Rapids Chamber. “During these challenging times, we all must come together to ensure our communities in West Michigan are successful and thriving.”

The chamber-led initiative provides up to $10,000 in grants for small businesses in Kent County with five to 25 full-time employees. The fund has already received $1 million with a goal of securing $3 million through community giving. To date, the fund has distributed 48 grants totaling $455,000, with 92 percent of the recipients being minority-owned and 37.5 percent women-owned. Grantees also receive wrap around support such as financial and business counseling to assist with cash flow projections.

“West Michigan has always embraced the entrepreneurial spirit and encouraged and supported the small business owners that make up the fabric of communities across the region,” said Joan Budden, President and CEO of Priority Health. “We are thankful for the leadership from the Chamber, and proud to contribute to their efforts to ensure the survival of small businesses during these challenging times.”

Priority Health also plans to support the Chamber with staff volunteers who will provide peer-to-peer encouragement and counseling for small business owners who are awarded grants.

Individuals interested in supporting this effort can donate at www.grchamberfoundation.org. Foundations and other organizations interested in supporting this initiative should contact Grand Rapids Chamber Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Omar Cuevas at [email protected]. Business owners in need of support can visit www.grchamberfoundation.org/rapid-response-fund for more information.

To learn more about Priority Health’s ongoing efforts surrounding COVID-19, visit: https://www.priorityhealth.com/covid-19/about

About the Greater Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation

The Grand Rapids Chamber Foundation works to provide programming and funding that encourages free enterprise, enhances the quality of life in the Greater Grand Rapids Area, and otherwise serves as a charitable, scientific, literary, or educational source for the community.

www.grchamberfoundation.org

About Priority Health:

With over 30 years in business, Priority Health is the second largest health plan in Michigan offering a broad portfolio of health benefits options for employer groups and individuals, including Medicare and Medicaid plans. Serving more than one million members each year and offering a network that includes 97 percent of primary care physicians in Michigan, Priority Health continues to be recognized as a leader for quality, customer service, transparency and product innovation. Priority Health is the smart choice for people seeking affordable, quality health insurance.