COVID-19 Small Biz Support
Here at AdvancED we believe whole-heartedly in the complete person. If you are a small business owner, operator, or manager, you are undoubtedly facing challenges and decisions at home and in your business.
We're sharing federal, state, and local resources to help you navigate your small business challenges.
We're sharing federal, state, and local resources to help you navigate your small business challenges.
Returning to Work
COVID-19: A Leader's Guide to Developing a Work-From-Home Strategy
From Gallup The percentage of people working from home doubled in just three weeks after the novel coronavirus prompted sweeping social distancing policies at the national, state and local levels. More than half of these workers say they would prefer to continue to work from home as much as possible when restrictions are lifted. How will your organization respond? Download the guide now. Use COVID-19: A Leader's Guide to Developing a Work-From-Home Strategy and the accompanying webinar to:
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Office Workers are Ready to go Back to Work
From San Jose Downtown Association Gensler’s 2020 U.S. Work From Home survey reveals why workers want to be in the office:
Source: Gensler |
The survey also reveals
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Top reasons want to come back:
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Let's Talk Money
How Do Americans Feel About Spending Money in the COVID-19 Era?
From Gallup Analytics To analyze the course of economic recovery from COVID-19 in the U.S., Franklin Templeton and Gallup are embarking on an ongoing research project to survey thousands of Americans every month regarding their return to pre-pandemic behaviors. To fully evaluate Americans' willingness to participate in what were once normal activities, like frequenting restaurants and booking hotels, the project will combine survey-based data with administrative datasets. Learn more by visiting our project update page to be among the first to know when the initial findings of the series are released next month. |
Financial Relief Resources for Artists During COVID-19
From multiple sources In the face of the unknown, artists have, unsurprisingly, gotten creative about how they are changing their artistic practice. However, if you, like many, are finding that you need additional financial resources to get you through this time, there are emergency grants available for artists. We, like many other arts organizations right now, have compiled a list of emergency resources for artists as well an ongoing list of crowdfunding efforts to provide financial relief for artists. |
And here's a list of additional funds and resources:
- SV Creates Arts Relief & Recovery Fund: SV Creates has established the Arts Relief & Recovery fund of emergency support for local arts organizations and artists. SV Creates now services virtual music concerts, theatre, dance and visual arts programs. Seed funding is provided by the Castellano Family Foundation and a matching donation from the Morgan Family Foundation. Santa Clara County has pledged to match public donations up to $650,000. The $2 million to $3 million raised will go to more than 150 artists and 100 small and mid-size arts organizations in SV Creates’ portfolio. Donations here: the Arts Relief & Recovery fund.
- Thanks to a new resource for Freelance Artists, you can check out National Grants/Relief Funds from 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organizations & Unions. 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.
- To support artists during the COVID-19 crisis, a coalition of national arts grantmakers created an emergency initiative to offer financial and informational resources to artists across the United States. Artist Relief is distributing $5,000 grants to artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19. Since starting in the past week, Artists Relief has received a high volume of submissions. Be sure to keep a copy of your submission in case you need to reapply.
- Theatre Bay Area, in partnership with Dancers’ Group and InterMusic SF, launched the COVID-19: Performing Arts Worker Relief Fund on March 20, 2020 as a resource for performing arts workers who are facing a loss of income due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
COVID-19 Relief Funds For Diverse Business Owners
From Forbes
- The Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund: One of the U.S.’s most popular cell phone companies, Verizon, has pledged to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund is offering grants to business owners facing financial hardship, particularly focusing on business owners of color, women, and other marginalized groups. $10,000 grants will be offered to those who qualify. To fill out an application, visit their website.
- AssistHer Emergency Relief Grant: Texas Women’s University has created a grant for those whose businesses have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. The grant is for $10,000 and is designed to help women-led businesses located/operated within the state of Texas. To read more about eligibility requirements, visit their website. Those who fill out a grant application will be notified within 30 days regarding approval status.
- South Asian Arts Resiliency Fund: The India Center Foundation is now offering support to those of South Asian descent who are arts workers and have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. The grant focuses on those who work as dancers, choreographers, poets, actors, musicians, producers and other arts workers. Project grants of $1,000-$2,000 will be distributed. To learn more about the grant and to see application criteria, click here.
- The Your Friends in New York Business Relief Fund: Men’s and women’s fashion label Pyer Moss announced March 18th, 2020 on their Instagram page that they were turning their NYC office into a donation center for N95 masks and latex gloves. In addition, a relief fund has been established for women and minority businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19. The Your Friends in New York Business Relief Fund is awarding grants of different amounts to business owners in need. To learn more about the relief fund, click here.
- The Red Backpack Fund: Women’s undergarment company Spanx has announced that a donation of $5 million is going to support women business owners who have been negatively impacted in some way by COVID-19. 1,000 female business owners within the United States will receive $5,000 of funding. Applications will be open until August. To learn more about the relief fund and how to apply, click here.
- Facebook: The largest social networking site in the word, Facebook, recently announced that $15 million will go to helping small business owners negatively impacted by COVID-19. Facebook’s chief diversity officer Maxine Williams shared that 50% of the grants would be prioritized for minority, women and veteran-owned businesses. To learn more about application requirements, visit the grant website.
- The Doonie Fund: A social startup called digitalundivided is now providing relief for those impacted by COVID-19. Through a new fund called The Doonie Fund, named after the CEO’s grandmother, aid will be provided specifically for Black female entrepreneurs who have experienced hardships as a result of COVID-19. The fund, which was established on April 5th, 2020 has helped more than 93 entrepreneurs by providing micro-investments of $500 or less. Eligible entrepreneurs can apply through their website.
Read more from Forbes.
Advocate!If you're in financial distress, find out how your landlord can help!
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If you are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of COVID-19, advocate for yourself (and your partners) with your landlord. We've heard SUCCESSFUL stories of business owners writing letters to their landlord and getting either a discount on rent, or a delayed rental payment.
Consider writing a letter to your landlord. be sure to explain how COVID-19 is impacting your business's ability to pay expenses, and be realistic about your ability to pay. Depending on your landlord's response, follow up and ensure any agreed extensions or discounts are in writing! |
San Jose Small Business Resources
From San Jose Downtown Association
Facebook announced that the Bay Area will be awarded $15 million in Facebook grants for small businesses. Businesses can now go to facebook.com/grantsforbusiness to check their eligibility and learn more about the program. The application process has not yet started, but businesses are encouraged to sign their emails up for when the application goes live. Finding the place to submit is a little tricky. You have to go through the Find Available Locations portal.
From San Jose Downtown Association
- Here is the best description of the small business program offered through SV Strong and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF). Visit the #Silicon Valley Strong site to see how you can help.
- The City has created a centralized point of contact for businesses to receive a referral to a needed resource or quick answer to their questions. This includes a toll-free number (877-880-1222), email covid19sjbusiness@sanjoseca.gov, plus Webpage https://www.sanjoseca.gov/news-stories/news/emergency-notifications
- The Office of Economic Development (OED) issued an update on funding sources, impacts and other business information resulting from COVID-19.
- One of the links OED provides is to Business Owner Space (BOS), which has done a great job keeping up with the overload of new resources and links. Check here.
- Unemployment Insurance changes mean that many sole proprietors or independent contractors will be eligible for unemployment insurance. Find more information compiled by the City of San Jose here.
- Norman Mineta San Jose Airport has a coronavirus page. A new airport guide website also launched recently: sjc-airport.com/
- For COVID-19 related questions regarding nonprofit and community based organizations, email covid19sjcbo@sanjoseca.gov.
- SJdowntown.com has a listing of about 50 downtown restaurants offering take-out and delivery services. Plus, new web pages that link to fitness studios offering online classes, and arts groups delivering online programming.
Facebook announced that the Bay Area will be awarded $15 million in Facebook grants for small businesses. Businesses can now go to facebook.com/grantsforbusiness to check their eligibility and learn more about the program. The application process has not yet started, but businesses are encouraged to sign their emails up for when the application goes live. Finding the place to submit is a little tricky. You have to go through the Find Available Locations portal.
Resources for Small Businesses
From California State Treasurer Fiona Ma
California State Treasurer Fiona Ma compiled a list of local, state and federal resources for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. With California being home to the largest number of Asian-owned businesses in the state, we hope this information is helpful to you.
Small Business Assistance FAQ's From the Silicon Valley Organization There's a lot of interest in Small Business Administration loans to help small companies and non-profits weather the storm of COVID-19. Office of Economic Development,Vic Farlie put together a handy FAQ on the subject. Additional resources from SVO:
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