Aaron Rodgers Small-Business COVID-19 Fund
Aaron Rodgers and the North Valley Community Foundation joined forces to help small, locally owned businesses in Butte County weather the coronavirus pandemic.
Round Two of Grant Recipients Announced
After receiving a substantial donation from “Jeopardy!” after Aaron Rodgers guest hosted the show for two weeks in April, the Aaron Rodgers Small-Business COVID-19 Fund at North Valley Community Foundation will pay $578,000 in rent to help out 79 businesses in Butte County.
Listed are the 79 locally owned small businesses in Butte County that have received substantial financial help from the Aaron Rodgers Small-Business COVID-19 Fund.
Round 1 Grant Recipients |
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Chattbox Vafe |
Chico Chamangos |
Chico Creek Coffee |
Crush |
Daycamp Coffee |
Dec's Scones & Cones |
Everyday Vietnamese Cuisine |
Farmers Skillet |
Fiesta Taco |
Finders Keepers Home Consignment |
Garibaldi's Catering |
Gnarly Deli |
These businesses will receive grants to help cover rent for, on average, two months or longer and/or other operation costs. Round one of the grants total $1,599,967.
Round One of Grant Recipients Announced
Eighty locally owned small businesses in Butte County will receive substantial financial help from the Aaron Rodgers Small-Business COVID-19 Fund at North Valley Community Foundation.
Those 80 restaurants and retail businesses will receive grants to help cover rent for, on average, three months or longer and/or other operation costs. The grants will total more than $1 million.
Nine of the business owners were notified personally by Rodgers and NVCF President and CEO Alexa Benson-Valavanis in video calls. They include Kona’s, Pueblito 2, AcaTaco, Great Harvest Bread Co., Naked Lounge, Cal Java Esplanade, The Bookstore and Smokin’ Mo’s -- all in Chico -- as well as Nic’s Restaurant in Paradise.
Round 2 Grant Recipients |
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Diamond Dash Meal Prep Service |
Diamond W Western Wear |
Diane Nicole Photography |
Drunken Dumpling |
El Rey Mexican Grill |
Enchanted Play Infant & Preschool Center |
Envee Hair Studio |
Fashion Nails Spa |
Fleet Feet Chico |
For Elyse |
Freebird Yoga |
Fresh Twisted Cafe |
Aaron Rodgers small-business grants were a lifeline
Aaron Rodgers has long been recognized as a wizard of the Hail Mary pass on the football field. Many businesses in Butte County benefitted from the philanthropic version of a Hail Mary pass, also launched by Aaron.
“I can honestly say that we would not be here right now without the help from you guys (NVCF) and Aaron,” said Chris Yarbrough, the owner of Kona’s sandwiches and bakery in downtown Chico. “It was a life-changing thing, and the timing … we couldn’t have been more on the ropes physically and fiscally, any more than we were at that point.
“The timing was like it was scripted for a savior to come in and do something miraculous — and that’s what happened.”
Aaron Rodgers highlights his local charitable work at press conference
Aaron Rodgers talks about his small-business COVID-19 fund at NVCF during press conference for a July 6th charity golf match on TNT. Watch the full press conference here.
Social Media Announcements
Nine of the business owners from the first round of grants were notified personally by Rodgers and NVCF President and CEO Alexa Benson-Valavanis. Follow Aaron Rodgers and North Valley Community Foundation on Instagram to watch the roll-out of the video calls with these selected businesses.
Surprise Call to Pueblito
Surprise Call to Nic's Restaurant
Press Releases
Aaron Rodgers Small-Business COVID-19 Fund
Restaurants and retail businesses have been among the hardest hit in the COVID-19 pandemic. The Aaron Rodgers Small-Business COVID-19 Fund will benefit locally owned and operated retail and restaurant businesses in Butte County and our service area.
The deadline to apply has passed. You can still donate to the fund.