COVID-19 Guide for Local Economy Organizations
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This list is an open-source document started by Common Future — feel free to suggest resources, ideas, thinking and information surrounding best practices during this time. We will continue to make updates in real-time with an eye towards local resources. You can suggest information by category (or add new ones) and link URLs to text with a brief description of the resource you are adding.
Contents
Food, Agriculture, and Service Workers
Artist Organizers & Freelancers
New Jersey
Technology and Platforms for Virtual Connection
Food, Agriculture, and Service Workers
Find Food - WhyHunger’sNational Food Pantry, Soup Kitchen and Distribution Database.
Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation Announces COVID19 Crisis Relief Fund - Immediately direct money to organizations leading on-the-ground efforts in the restaurant community.
How to Help Local Restaurants and Shops During the Coronavirus Crisis - Boston Magazine’s guide on how to help local businesses in the time of COVID-19.
ONE FAIR WAGE — Emergency Coronavirus Tipped and Service Worker Support Fund - We are providing free, cash assistance to restaurant workers, delivery drivers and other tipped workers and service workers — who are seeing their income decline during this disaster, or aren’t able to work because of other health concerns.
NYC Restaurant Response Program - Rethink has set up a Restaurant Response Program to assist with food need and access during times of crisis. If you are a NYC based restaurant - you are eligible for the program. Rethink will select up to 30 restaurants for the program, and give those selected up to $40,000 to stay up and running.
Coronavirus Support for Restaurants - The restaurants that you know and love are experiencing a significant decline in walk-in traffic, leaving them vulnerable to closing down permanently. Local restaurants can continue to stay in business by offering takeout or delivery, but many are not equipped to do this. Go Fisherman is offering free website services and assistance in setting up takeout/delivery for any restaurant for the next six months.
Bartender Emergency Assistance - Emergency fund program for bartenders and their families.
Service Worker Mutual Aid Fund - Service workers can request funds, regardless of location.
Artist Organizers & Freelancers
COVID-19 Resources for the Artist Organization Field - A comprehensive guide for artist organizers with grant resources, teaching, and technology platforms from Common Field.
List of Arts Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak - List of resources for artists working in all disciplines, as well as arts philanthropists, and arts professionals.
Springboard for the Arts Coronavirus/COVID-19 Resources for Artists - Another guide of artist focused resources, information, and support communities from Springboard for the Arts (Thank you Laura Zabel).
Covid Freelance Artists Resources - This list is specifically designed to serve freelance artists, and those interested in supporting the independent artist community. This includes, but is not limited to, actors, designers, producers, technicians, stage managers, musicians, composers, choreographers, visual artists, filmmakers, craft artists, teaching artists, dancers, writers & playwrights, photographers, etc.
Freelancers & Community Resources 2020 - Extensive resources centered for artists and those impacted by gigs being canceled/postponed.
The Safety Net Fund - The Safety Net Fund is a nonprofit designed to help support artists in the Bay Area during the COVID-19 crisis.
Small Businesses
COVID-19 Small Business Strategy Webinar - Free webinar on how to test new revenue streams in the time of COVID-19.
COVID-19 Resources for worker cooperatives, small businesses, and individuals - Compilation of resources for worker co-ops and small business owners (English and Spanish).
City of Oakland Outlines Small Business, Workforce Support to Mitigate Impacts of COVID-19 - Quick guide on resources that mitigate impacts on small businesses in Oakland, CA.
GoFundMe COVID-19 Relief Fund - GoFundMe’s official general COVID-19 relief fund.
Business Survival Tactics During Coronavirus - Social Venture Circle hosts this interactive webinar led by Josh Knauer on business survival tactics during coronavirus.
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19): RESOURCES FOR THE COOPERATIVE BUSINESS COMMUNITY - Webinars for co-op businesses regarding safety, employment law, managing cash flow. Also support for applying for SBA EIDL loans.
Nonprofits
The Waldron Charitable Fund Announces $1M in Grant Opportunities to Support Children - The Waldron Charitable Fund today announced that it will make $1 million in grant funding available to support community organizations serving the critical needs of the nation's underserved children and the 30 million students who receive free and reduced-price meals. This initiative will directly fund those who serve critical health needs (both physical and mental), provide nutritional assistance, and support special education for underserved school children. Local community organizations throughout the US that serve children ages 12 and under are welcome to apply. **Applications open through March 20**
Funds for coronavirus relief - Candid is compiling a list of funds specifically established in the wake of coronavirus. The list focuses on funds hosted at US-based foundations that serve nonprofits, though others outside of this criteria may appear as well.
The National Council of Nonprofits, the association of State Associations of Nonprofits across the country has plenty of resources, webinars and more to help nonprofits deal with the pandemic. Then find your local state association of nonprofits to gain more information and resources.
Recording of webinar: "Federal Coronavirus Relief Bills: What Do They Mean for Nonprofits?"
Slide deck from webinar: "Federal Coronavirus Relief Bills: What Do They Mean for Nonprofits?"
Analysis of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (Pub. L. 116-136)
Loans Available for Nonprofits in the CARES Act (Chart)
How Nonprofits Can Utilize the New Federal Laws Dealing with COVID-19, Nonprofit Quarterly, Mar. 26, 2020
Self-Insured Nonprofits and Unemployment Insurance, David Heinen, North Carolina Center for Nonprofits
Analysis of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Nonprofits and Coronavirus, COVID-19
Resources for Funders
COVID19 COMMS4GOOD Resources, Examples, and Best Practices - Excellent doc tracking grantee responses and other communications in response to COVID.
Funders, this is the rainy day you have been saving up for - Advice for working with grantees during this time.
Coronavirus: 6 Steps for Grant Makers to Take Now to Ensure Nonprofits Recover (Opinion) - Advice for working with grantees during this time.
What One Response to California's 2017 Wildfires Can Teach Philanthropy About Coronavirus - Article providing comparison to philanthropic response to California wildfires.
COVID-19: Approaches for Funders - Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s 3 big tips for funders
Philanthropy Needs To Trust Nonprofits Now More Than Ever
COVID-19 Resource Hub - Council on Foundations
Resources by City / Locale
Database of Localized Resources During Corona Outbreak - Radical Communicators Network’s comprehensive database of local resources ** over 100 locales listed **
Crowd-sourced list of mutual aid resources - Nationwide living list of mutual aid resources.
San Francisco Bay Area
- Assistance & Guidance for Businesses and Workers Impacted by COVID-19 - Guide for San Francisco, CA employees and employers.
- COVID-19 Small Businesses Resiliency Fund - If you own a small business in San Francisco with 5 or fewer employees, you may qualify for small business stabilization funding.
- Tipping Point Emergency Response - Tipping Point is committing $1 million in addition to this year’s core funding to support our network of grantees working on the frontlines (currently only for current grantees)
- The Safety Net Fund - The Safety Net Fund is a non-profit designed to help support artists in the Bay Area during the COVID-19 crisis.
- Supporting Farmers, Ranchers, Restaurants, Food Hubs, and other Community Food Outlets in the Bay Area - A resource to be shared in your communities offering pathways to support food + ag community partners in the Bay Area
Los Angeles
- COVID-19 LA County Response Fund - California Community Foundation (CCF) launched the COVID-19 LA County Response Fund to address the immediate and emerging needs of our region’s most vulnerable residents—from mitigation to eventual recovery. This fund will support community needs identified by our partners in health, housing, education and immigration, and will aid impacted individuals through our Pass it Along Fund.
- LA Emergency COVID-19 Crisis Fund (Mayor’s Fund of LA) - no clear way to apply, check back soon for updates
- United Way of Greater Los Angeles Announces L.A. Emergency Relief Fund - Support the public health response to protect unsheltered residents & frontline organizations and individuals serving L.A.’s most vulnerable through this crisis, provides support to low-income students and their families, provides additional support to our non-profit partners (no clear way to apply yet)
- amwa local (Los Angeles) coronavirus community care
Boston
- City of Boston Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture Artist Relief Fund - Boston will be modifying the Opportunity Fund to best address the current needs of artists whose creative practices and incomes are being adversely impacted by COVID-19. Beginning on Thursday, March 12, the Opportunity Fund application will reopen as the Boston Artist Relief Fund. Through a partnership with Boston Center for the Arts, individuals can donate to the Artist Relief Fund.
- COVID 19 Response Fund - Established by a coalition of business, government and philanthropic partners to rapidly deploy flexible resources to organizations in Greater Boston that are working with communities that are disproportionately affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
Seattle
- Seattle Artists Relief Fund Amid COVID-19 - Here’s an example of what several artist organizers in Seattle have done to support the artist community. It opened on March 9 and had raised $27,479 when I donated on March 11; this morning (March 13) it reached more than $94,000 and has already started awarding money to artists. Other communities might do it too! Project team member Ijeoma Oluo says: ”The Seattle arts community has held and nurtured me for years. Those of us in the arts community and those of us who are close to the arts community know the financial pressures that have long been increasing for those in the arts - especially for artists of color.”
- Seattle Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund - Resources for community-based organizations supporting priority populations. Fund total as of March 17 at noon: $11.4 million, including $230,000+ in online gifts. In order to move resources quickly, we are not hosting a formal application process for the Fund at this time. You may email us at covid19@seattlefoundation.org to make sure we are aware of your organization’s work supporting economically vulnerable residents and families.
- Amazon is creating a $5 million Neighborhood Small Business Relief Fund to provide cash grants to Seattle small businesses that need assistance - If you qualify and want to learn more, please reach out to smallbusinessfund@amazon.com. Amazon will be working with an independent third party to review your information.
New York
- COVID-19 Business Assistance Survey - Thank you for filling out this interest form and letting us know about the impact of COVID-19 on your business. Please continue to monitor your email – we will send information regarding the new loan and grant program for impacted small businesses, including application links, in the coming days.
- Brooklyn Community Foundation: COVID-19 Response Fund - The Fund is accepting applications on a rolling basis for immediate response grants of up to $10,000 in certain priority areas
- NYC Covid-19 Musician Resources and Support
- North Brooklyn Mutual Aid
- NYC United Against Coronavirus - Resources and Information
- NYC Mutual Aid Network
- Comprehensive list of resources for NYC - The New York State Youth Leadership Council is compiling this live document of resources and funding in NYC around COVID19 support efforts. They are prioritizing resources open to undocumented people.
San Antonio
- COVID-19 Resources for San Antonio - local organizations who are working together and updates for individuals
Oregon
- COVID-19 RESPONSE — Family Meal - financial relief to Oregon’s food service and agricultural workers in medical debt crises.
Austin
- Stand with Austin Fund - This fund was created to receive charitable donations to support nonprofits assisting individuals and small businesses most negatively impacted by the cancellation of SXSW and least able to recover on their own. (Funds not immediately available - check back here)
- The Southern Smoke Foundation Application for Financial Assistance - directly benefits those in the Austin culinary community impacted by the cancellation of South by Southwest. For more information visit:
Charlottesville
- Charlottesville Restaurant Community Fund (GoFundMe) - They are asking restaurant owners and staff to let them know what they need help with. The fund is helping to provide essential groceries, gas money, money for uber trips, formula and food for industry families, etc...Restaurant owners are also sending over lists of staff that need the most financial help. All information will be kept private, nothing about your financial need or need for resources will be made public.
DC/Baltimore
- COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund - Supports nonprofits across the Greater Washington region. No formal way to apply at this time (The Greater Washington Community Foundation will administer grants in cooperation with our local government advisors and philanthropic partners. In order to move resources quickly and not further burden organizations on the frontlines of the pandemic, we are not hosting a formal application process at this time.)
- DMV Service Industry Rapid Response Funds Application - Are you in the restaurant/service industry? Are you currently facing financial hardship due to the recent restaurant closures? Please fill out this form so we can assess your needs and distribute funds accordingly!
- DMV Restaurant Worker Relief Fund - Funds will be dispersed on an as-need basis after workers fill out the form below to apply for funds.
Maryland
- Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Fund - This $50M Grant Fund offers working capital to assist Maryland small businesses and nonprofits with disrupted operations due to COVID-19. Grants up to $10,000 not to exceed 3 months of cash operating expenses for Maryland businesses and nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 with 50 or fewer employees.
- Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Loan Fund - Loans up to $50,000 (not to exceed three months of cash operating expenses) open to Maryland businesses impacted by the COVID-19 with fewer than 50 employees. 0% for the first 12 months, and 2% for the remaining 36 months.
- COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund - designed to support businesses undergoing economic stresses due to the pandemic by preventing or minimizing the duration of unemployment resulting from layoffs. The award (up to $50,000 per applicant), will be a quick deployable benefit and customizable to the specific needs of your business to minimize the need for layoffs.
Portland
Chicago
- Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund - In partnership with the City of Chicago and United Way of Metro Chicago we have launched the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund to unite the funds raised by Chicago’s philanthropies, corporations and individuals to be disbursed to nonprofit organizations across the region (no clear way to apply yet)
Boulder
- COVID-19 Response Fund Boulder County - Grants from the fund will be directed by foundation staff to local nonprofit organizations working with the above described populations. Funding will support client services and/or operations of selected nonprofit groups. It is the foundation's hope to begin making grants next week, based on research staff is currently conducting. No request for proposals will be distributed. (no clear way to apply yet)
St. Louis
- St. Louis Community Foundation Launches COVID-19 Regional Response Fund - An advisory committee, which will be composed of public health and community officials and is in the process of being put together, will guide the grant-making process (no clear way to apply yet)
Minneapolis
- The Personal Emergency Relief Fund - helps artists in Minnesota recover from personal emergencies by helping pay an unanticipated, emergency expense. Artists can request up to $500 to compensate for cancelled work that was scheduled and lost.
- Community Emergency Relief Fund - The focus of the Fund is to support artists living in Minnesota to respond to urgent community needs with creative leadership. Artists may request up to $500 to cover project expenses.
New Jersey
- New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund - New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund established to collect donations and distribute funds. One hundred percent of donations received online by NJPRF will be used to fight the medical, social, and economic impact of COVID-19 on New Jersey’s most vulnerable, supporting organizations that provide essential services and aiding those on the front line of the pandemic
- Community Foundation of South Jersey COVID-19 Response Fund - CFSJ created the South Jersey COVID-19 Response Fund as an opportunity for individuals and organizations alike to pool resources to address both the short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 in local towns, counties, and the South Jersey region as a whole.
- Montclair Foundation Emergency Fund - The Montclair Foundation is supporting key local outreach organizations with emergency grants. Please consider donating funds so these community partners can receive immediate financial help in this difficult time. They are working selflessly and the needs in our community are urgent because of food scarcity, health and housing issues and the emotional stress of the unknown. Helping together has never been more vital.
- Northern New Jersey Community Foundation COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund - The Hackensack based foundation gathers information about the pandemic’s impact on municipalities and residents, especially low-income children, families, and seniors, in the county. The Fund supports small local nonprofits encountering increased demand for services. In addition, social distancing causes increased isolation and loneliness among community members. The Fund also supports nonprofit arts organizations and those providing arts programs and services in the county to build community engagement in a time of isolation. Nonprofit arts organizations providing services to vulnerable populations such as artists experiencing loss of income resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic will also be considered for support. Information about the grant making criteria, the process, and an application will be announced in the coming weeks.
- New Jersey Community Capital Garden State Relief Fund - The Garden State Relief Fund ensures that small businesses and non-profits are provided with quick yet equitable and inclusive opportunities for relief, stability, and growth through low interest loans. The Garden State Relief Fund provides this financial support for those that often lack access to conventional capital and have been disproportionally affected by this evolving public health crisis.
- United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern Jersey’s PHL COVID-19 Fund - Grants will be made collaboratively among UWGPSNJ, Philadelphia Foundation, and other invited philanthropic and community members through a civic leadership committee co-chaired by the two organizations and including community, government, and corporate leaders. This fund supports nonprofits in the Greater Philadelphia Area—five Pennsylvania counties (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia) and five Southern New Jersey counties (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, and Cumberland). The PHL COVID-19 Fund, found at PHLCOVID19Fund.org, will rapidly provide grants to Greater Philadelphia non-profit organizations with a successful track record of serving at-risk populations such as seniors, people with disabilities, and those who are experiencing homelessness or are economically disadvantaged. These grants will allow the nonprofits to continue providing community safety nets such as food pantries and health services, as well as preparedness and protection services, such as hygiene supplies and access to accurate information.
- Princeton Area Community Foundation COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Fund - The Princeton Area Community Foundation has assembled a coalition of funders to create a COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Fund to help support nonprofits working with the most vulnerable residents in Mercer County and the surrounding region.
- United Way of Greater Newark Community COVID-19 Fund - The purpose of this fund will be to respond to community needs as we anticipate the spread of the COVID-19 virus across the City of Newark and surrounding communities. United Way of Greater Newark has long been an organization that has stepped up during times of natural disasters and most recently for the City of Newark and the lead crisis.
- United Way of Northern New Jersey ALICE Recovery Fund - United Way of Northern New Jersey has created the ALICE Recovery Fund (#ALICErecovery), a crisis recovery fund that will address emerging needs of ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households and those in poverty in response to the spread of COVID-19. The state of emergency created by the spread of the coronavirus is exposing critical shortcomings in our economy, health care system, and public education. No one is immune to its direct or indirect effects, but ALICE families are particularly vulnerable to hardship from both illness and economic disruption. These households struggled to afford the basics even before COVID-19 hit. Across the five-county northern New Jersey region (Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties as well as portions of suburban Essex County), 30 percent of households are ALICE and in poverty and United Way expects more will become ALICE as this crisis persists.
Technology and Platforms for Virtual Connection
Creative Organizing during a pandemic: Here are seven recommendations for continuing to organize safely and effectively during the outbreak.
Zoom Breakout rooms - how to use them!
Nonprofit Resources for Remote Work During the COVID-19 Outbreak
DAWI and USFWC’s Effective Practices for Remote Organizations
Proposals, Letters, Templates
Emergency Money to the People - Economic Security Project’s policy on emergency cash infusion, letter to sign on to advocate.
Mutual Aid template for organizing communities - make a copy and share!
Misc. Guides + Articles
Send a Resource to #COVID19CapitalRelief - CASE at Duke is building a searchable database of COVID19 Capital Resources for Entrepreneurs. These are grants, loans, tax credits, anything that can help an entrepreneur with cash needs during this crisis.
Principles for Ethical Cancellation - Together we can help sustain our vital creative community by taking the following actions around events planned during this time, even if you are not contractually obligated:
Resources for Domestic Workers
Experts Urge Charities to Communicate Their Needs Clearly to Their Donors - how to communicate with your donors