Has your business been negatively affected by the Coronavirus? There are several solutions available in grant and loan form for small business owners seeking financial assistance during the Coronavirus outbreak. Diverse Community Partners is working to provide you the latest in information to help your business get through this time. Please continue to check back as we will be adding to this list as programs become available.
Verizon Grant
April 4th is the last day to apply for the Verizon grant. The link to apply is listed here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LISCSBGrant It will ask you who shared this information with you. Please click: social share and then in the other box put Diverse Community Partners Inc. the next question will ask the person’s name – enter Joyce Saint-Cyr.
EIDL – Disaster Loan Application
The EIDL stands for COVID-19 ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOAN and can be found here: https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/ . Please remember to check the option for the $10,000.00 grant to be considered. If you are a client you should have received an email with your Income Statement and Balance Sheet that you will need to be considered for this grant. Please check your email for an email from admin@diversecommunitypartnersinc.com.
Red Backpack Fund
The Red Backpack fund was initiated by the Sara Blakley Foundation. Sara is the creator and CEO of Spanx. This is a grant (meaning it will not need to be paid back) being given to women entrepreneurs. Sara has set aside 1000 $5000 grants for women. They will begin taking applications on April 6th. Visit this link for more information or to apply: https://www.globalgiving.org/redbackpackfund/ .
The Golden Leaf Foundation – THIS PROGRAM IS CLOSED
The Golden LEAF Foundation has announced $15 million in funding to launch a rapid recovery loan program to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Golden LEAF funding will support the NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan Program by enabling loans to be made to eligible businesses for up to $50,000 with zero interest and no payments for six months. If not repaid in six months, the loan will automatically convert to a term loan. Click here (https://ncrapidrecovery.org/ ) to apply.
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
Congress’s latest coronavirus relief package, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, is the largest economic relief bill in U.S. history and will allocate $2.2 trillion in support to individuals and businesses affected by the pandemic and economic downturn. For information about the CARES act and where to apply click here: https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/top-priorities/cares-act/assistance-for-small-businesses
Pay your staff. Make rent. Keep the lights on.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses through the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Please open a NEW bank account for the SBA funds to be deposited into. If you have submitted your application and provided your operation bank account number please transfer the funds into a NEW account. Only pay the qualified expenditures [Payroll, Rent, Telephone, Utility, etc.] from this account, if you will seek to have the loan forgiven. PLEASE, do not use these funds for personal use or you will have to pay back the loan!!! If you do not have a TRUE payroll account, contact us to set it up!!!!! Do not consider Draw Distributions as payroll!! It is not the same!
Email support@diversecommunitypartnersinc.com if you have questions.
Cardi B and the Fashion Nova $1000 / Hour until 1 Million is Reached
https://www.fashionnova.com/pages/cares we can add this. Cardi B and Fashion Nova are giving away 1K/hour until some time in may totaling 1 million dollars
Facebook Business Grant
Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits to help during this challenging time. For details go here: https://www.facebook.com/business/boost/grant
Google Ad Credit
$340 million in Google Ads credits available to all SMBs with active accounts over the past year. Credit notifications will appear in their Google Ads accounts and can be used at any point until the end of 2020 across our advertising platforms. We hope it will help to alleviate some of the cost of staying in touch with their customers.
Yelp Ads
Yelp created a $25 million fund to provide relief to independently owned restaurant and nightlife businesses and franchisees with fewer than five locations in the form of waived advertising fees and free advertising, products, and services during this period.
Industry-Specific Resources
Wellness Relief Fund
Reclamation Ventures opened a grant opportunity to cover one month of missed revenue (up to $2,500) for wellness spaces and wellness instructors that represent underestimated communities. Applications will be open until April 30. Click here to apply.
RESOURCES FOR WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES
North Carolina
COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan
NCIFund is providing NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loans as as vital resource to help North Carolina small businesses adapt in the face of the coronavirus crisis. The Rapid Recovery Loan is primarily designed to be a timely source of bridge financing until businesses can access SBA Disaster or other federal disaster funding. NOTE: As of March 26th, the existing funds are oversubscribed. We do expect more funding for the program, so PLEASE COMPLETE AN APPLICATION TO GET YOUR “HAT IN THE RING!” https://www.ncifund.org/what-we-do/nc-covid-19-rapid-recovery-loan
RESOURCES FOR WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES
State of Florida
Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program – Apply by May 8, 2020Loans of up to $50,000 — $100,000 in certain special cases — are available to coronavirus-affected small businesses. The loans are meant to serve as short-term funding that can be repaid once businesses can access alternative funding. Loans are interest-free for one year; after that, the interest rate rises to 12%.
http://floridajobs.org/rebuildflorida/businessrecovery
WBEC – Florida ((Florida, with the exception of the Panhandle, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands) https://www.wbecflorida.org/cover-19%20resources
Florida Tax Assistance
The Florida Department of Revenue dedicated a team to address tax-related issues surrounding COVID-19. To contact the team, email covid19taxhelp@floridarevenue.com.
Short-Time Compensation Program
The Short-Time Compensation Program allows an employer to divide the available work or hours of work among a specified group of affected employees in lieu of a layoff, and it allows the employees to receive a portion of their Unemployment Insurance benefits while working reduced hours.
To apply, visit the Employer Login page of CONNECT.
Florida – Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program is activated to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The program provides short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses that experienced economic injury.
Employers with two to 100 employees can apply for loans up to $50,000. The loan is interest free for up to one year. To be eligible, your business must have been established prior to March 9, 2020.
The application period runs through May 7, 2020. To apply, click here.
District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia
WPEO – DC
https://wpeo.us
California
San Francisco COVID-19 Small Business Resiliency Fund https://oewd.org/covid-19-small-business-resiliency-fund
City of Los Angeles Small Business Emergency Microloan Programhttps://ewddlacity.com/index.php/microloan-program
Businesses and microenterprises in Los Angeles that are responsible for providing low-income jobs can get anemergency microloanof $5,000 to $20,000. Loans with repayment terms of six months to one year carry an interest rate of 0% and five-year loans have interest rates of 3% to 5%
Unemployment Insurance Work Sharing Program
Employers who are considering laying off employees due to a slowdown in business from the coronavirus can apply for the UI Work Sharing Program, which partially offsets reduced worker hours and wages with UI benefits. The program allows you to retain trained employees and quickly prepare for when business improves.
You can apply for a Work Sharing plan by completing the application and mailing it to the address on the top of the form.
Rapid Response Program Rapid Response meets with business owners onsite to discuss strategies for avoiding potential layoffs and assist in providing further training to employees to increase the competitiveness and profitability of the business.To get started, contact America’s Job Center of California.
San Francisco Small Business Recovery Fund
The Office of Economic and Workforce Development created the Small Business Resiliency Fund to offer up to $10,000 in emergency grants for businesses affected by COVID-19. You must be able to show a loss in revenue to be eligible for the grant.To learn more about the grant, visit the COVID-19 Small Business Resiliency Fund site.
Connecticut
Disaster Relief Fund
Small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Connecticut that have been impacted by COVID-19 are eligible for disaster relief loans of up to $2 million from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Apply for funding by visiting the SBA Disaster Assistance page.
Connecticut Tax Extensions
Deadlines for filing and payments associated with certain state business tax returns due on or after March 15, 2020 are extended by at least 30 days. You do not need to take action to receive the extended due date, but if you have questions, visit the Connecticut State Department of Revenue Services website to learn more.
Maryland – Tax Extensions
The due date for individual and business tax returns has been extended to July 15, 2020. No application for the extended due date is needed.
Work Sharing Program
The Work Sharing Program allows an employer to divide the available work or hours of work among a specified group of affected employees in lieu of a layoff, and it allows the employees to receive a portion of their Unemployment Insurance benefits while working reduced hours.
A minimum of two employees are required for the program. To apply, email ui.worksharing@maryland.gov and a representative will contact you.
Massachusetts – Loan Fund
Gov. Charlie Baker announced a $10 million loan fund to help support employers whose businesses have been impacted by COVID-19. Massachusetts-based businesses with under 50 employees will be able to receive up to $75,000 in emergency funding. If you are eligible, you will receive the funds immediately and have no payments for six months.
To apply for the loan, visit the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation’s COVID-19 page.
WorkShare Program
The WorkShare Program allows an employer to divide the available work or hours of work among a specified group of affected employees in lieu of a layoff, and it allows the employees to receive a portion of their Unemployment Insurance benefits while working reduced hours.
The plan is valid for 52 weeks. To be eligible, you must have a positive reserve balance and be up-to-date with your unemployment insurance contributions. Log in to your UI Online account to apply.
Texas
Shared Work Program
The Shared Work program allows an employer to divide the available work or hours of work among a specified group of affected employees in lieu of a layoff, and it allows the employees to receive a portion of their Unemployment Insurance benefits while working reduced hours.
The percentage of reduced hours can be different for different individuals, as long as the reduction in normal weekly hours ranges from 10 percent to 40 percent each week. To apply for the program, log in to Employer Benefits Services and submit your Shared Work Plan online.
Companies Supporting The Community
Essential Businesses.
Businesses that can operate using telework should continue to do so. For businesses where individuals cannot work from home, the Governor’s Office has provided guidance on what businesses are essential, building on the federal government’s and California’s definition of “essential critical infrastructure workers.”
To clarify status, or request inclusion on the list, please fill out this form.
If you want to report suspected violations of the governor’s orders regarding essential business functions, evictions, and social distancing, please fill out this form.
Verizon Cellular
Verizon is waiving late fees incurred by any small business or residential customers due to their economic circumstances related to COVID-19 for the next 60 days. The company will also not terminate service to any customers who are unable to pay their bills due to COVID-19, and is adding an extra 15GB of data to all consumer and small business plans.
AT&T Cellular
AT&T will not terminate the service of any wireless, home phone, or broadband residential or small business customers unable to pay their bill due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. For the next 60 days, the company will also waive late payment fees incurred because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it will keep public Wi-Fi hotspots open for any American who needs them.
Comcast Internet
Comcast is providing free Xfinity hotspots, unlimited data, and no disconnects or late fees for all customers experiencing hardship over the next 60 days. Comcast is also offering a free Internet Essentials internet plan for all new customers for 60 days.
Federal Income Tax Filing and Payment Deadline Extension
The federal tax return filing deadline is now July 15, 2020. For tax payments of up to $10 million, the IRS has also extended the deadline for both individuals and businesses to July 15, 2020. Estimated tax payments for 2020 originally due on April 15 will now be due on July 15.Check with your state tax agency to find out if your business has more time to file or more time to pay state and local taxes this year as a result of the coronavirus. Several states have already aligned their tax filing and payment deadlines with the new federal deadline. States also may waive or reduce penalties on late tax payments.
For More Information on these or any other IRS programs please see:
https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus
Coronavirus Tax Relief | Internal Revenue Service
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