MARCH 30, 2020/ BY TARA M F LEAVITT
We hope everyone is staying safe and healthy during this time.
We expect this challenging period will be remembered as a time of uncertainty and resilience for all individuals and businesses. While we are all working to maintain best health and safety practices and observe mandates by local and federal governments, we are also navigating the tough new reality of implementing work from home practices and stabilizing our business.
To support our community, even when we’re all unable to be in the space together, we’re going to continue to compile and update resources and information on tips, government and local assistance programs, and necessary information that pertains to your area.
Click ahead to the information that pertains to you:
WFH Tips
Resources for Independent Workers
Resources for All U.S. Businesses
Resources and Support for Boston Businesses
Resources and Support for New York City Businesses
Resources and Support for Washington, D.C. Businesses
Resources and Support for Philadelphia Businesses
CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers
We wish all of you health and safety during this time and look forward to seeing you in the office soon! If you need us, you can reach out to our team at hello@theyard.com.
WFH Tips
Our former member Wethos shares advice for new remote teams on how they manage a fully remote team and the structure they put in place to keep their team engaged and accountable.
Headspace is offering free guided mindfulness and meditation sessions through their app. Check them out to take care of your mental health while you’re working from home.
Resources for Independent Workers
Freelancers Relief Fund
The Freelancers Union in partnership with additional corporations like Wethos, UpWork, Fiverr, and And.Co to create the Freelancers Relief Fund.
Assistance is open to any independent worker in the U.S. who has primarily earned income through freelance work for at least one year and has experienced a recent, sudden, and unforeseen hardship or loss of income as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, including those experiencing contract cancellations or loss of work due to social distancing measures, or those experiencing illness or caring for immediate family members infected with COVID-19.
You can find information and how to apply here:
Updated Concessions and Resources for Independent Workers
The Freelancers Union is also compiling relevant government concessions on tax filings, health insurance options, and more on their blog.
Resources for All U.S. Businesses
Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program
Small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are currently eligible to apply for a long-term, low-interest loan due to Coronavirus (COVID-19). The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
You can view and fill out forms for the Small Business Administration’s EIDL program here.
Facebook Small Business Grants
Facebook is offering up $100M in cash grants and Advertising credits to up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in more than 30 countries where the company operates. In the US, 10,000 businesses will be able to receive the grant.
To be eligible to apply, your business must:
- Have between 2 and 50 employees
- Have been in business for over a year
- Have experienced challenges from COVID-19
- Be in or near a location where Facebook operates (please note that Philadelphia-based businesses are not currently eligible)
- Be applied for by the founder/owner of the company
Deadline: May 5, 2020 at 11:59 PM or later depending on your city.
All eligible cities in the United States are now able to submit their application by following the instruction on this page.
Resources and Support for Boston Businesses
Small Business Call with The City Of Boston
The City of Boston is hosting its next Small Business call on Tuesday, May 31 at 12 p.m. as a resource for small businesses. Please email smallbiz@boston.gov to be added to the distribution list.
The City of Boston’s team will be available to discuss policy and business operation updates, answer questions on business assistance, and inform the business community how the City of Boston is responding to COVID-19.
You can join the 5/13 call in 1 of three ways:
- Zoom URL
- One tap mobile
+13017158592,,93738523416# US (Germantown)
+13126266799,,93738523416# US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 937 3852 3416 - Facebook Live
Small Business Survey
Additionally, Boston’s Small Business Team has been working in individual neighborhoods to ensure support is given, and is working to proactively address concerns in the business community. As part of that work, the Office of Economic Development (OED) has launched surveys for small businesses to pinpoint the help and services they need during this time. The OED is currently collecting responses for their second survey, and has had more than a thousand respondents so far.
Respond here: https://bit.ly/2UEw2UF
Resources and Support for New York City Businesses
NYC Employee Retention Grant Program
To help small businesses deal with the impact of COVID-19, the City has launched the Employee Retention Grant Program to help retain employees as businesses face decreased revenue. This program is available to New York City businesses with one to four employees that can demonstrate at least a 25% decrease in revenue as a result of COVID-19. Eligible businesses will receive a grant covering up to 40% of their payroll for two months. Businesses can access up to $27,000.
Businesses, including non-profits, must:
- Be located within the five boroughs of New York City
- Demonstrate that the COVID-19 outbreak caused at least a 25% decrease in revenue
- Employ 1-4 employees in total across all locations
- Have been in operation for at least 6 months
- Have no outstanding tax liens or legal judgment
Apply for the NYC Employee Retention Grant here
NYC Small Business Continuity Loan Fund
Businesses with fewer than 100 employees who have seen sales decreases of 25% or more will be eligible to apply for zero-interest loans of up to $75,000 to help ensure business continuity.
Businesses must:
- Be located within the five boroughs of New York City
- Demonstrate that the COVID-19 outbreak caused at least a 25% decrease in revenue
- Employ 99 employees or fewer in total across all locations
- Demonstrate the ability to repay the loan
- Have no outstanding tax liens or legal judgments
As part of the application process, you will be required to demonstrate a revenue decrease by providing documentation such as point-of-sales reports, bank statements, quarterly sales tax filings, 2019 tax returns or CPA-certified profit and loss statements.
Apply for the NYC Small Business Continuity Loan here
Additional Information from NYC departments
For up-to-date information from the NYC Department of Health on this quickly evolving situation, please visit www.nyc.gov/coronavirus.
For best business practices and updates on financial assistance, please visit www.nyc.gov/covid19biz.
Resources and Support for Washington, D.C. Businesses
DC Small Business Recovery Microgrants
Mayor Bowser and the Council of the District of Columbia are investing $25 million in the COVID-19 Recovery Effort and the DC Small Business Recovery Microgrants Program, which will be housed in the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development.
Pursuant to the “COVID-19 Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020” effective March 17, 2020 (D.C. Act 23-247), the DC Small Business Recovery Microgrants Program will offer grants to small, local businesses, independent contractors, self-employed individuals, and nonprofits to meet their short-term financial needs. The grant can cover employee wages and benefits (including fringe benefits associated with employment, such as health insurance), accounts payable, fixed costs, inventory, rent, and utilities.
The application closes at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, March 31st.
Apply for a DC Small Business Microgrant here.
Resources and Support for Philadelphia Businesses
COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program
The COVID-19 Working Capital Access (CWCA) Program is administered by the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) and provides critical working capital financing via up to a $100,000 loan to small businesses located within the Commonwealth that are adversely impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. A small business that meets eligibility is a for-profit corporation, limited liability company, partnership, proprietorship or other legal business entity located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and having 100 or fewer full-time employees worldwide at the time of submission of the application.
To apply please contact the Philadelphia CEDO at 215-496-8020.
Philadelphia COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund
The Philadelphia COVID-19 Small Business Fund is designed to provide immediate relief – in the form of grants and zero-interest loans – to Philadelphia businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19. Depending on business type and need you could receive up to a $25,000 grant or $100,000 loan.
You can view details, eligibility, and apply to the Philadelphia Small Business Fund here.
CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers
The CDC has provided information to prepare workplaces for an outbreak or for how to respond to current guidances.
You can find information from the CDC for employers here.
To stay healthy, please also view the most updated CDC guidelines on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) to protect yourself and others.
