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COVID-19 Resources for Nonprofits April 1, 2020

Many new resources from government and philanthropy — emergency grants, emergency loans, special programs — have popped up to help those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s great — but it’s a lot to sift through right now. IFF has tried to do some of the sifting for you. As much as possible, we’ve curated this list to be specifically for nonprofits serving human service sectors in the Midwest. Our main categories include:

These resources are not vetted or endorsed by IFF; like you, we are gathering information as best we can in this rapidly-changing environment. We will continue to add to this list regularly. If you’d like to add something, or you see an error, please contact Katie Coleman at kcoleman@iff.org.

New Government Resources for Nonprofits

Federal

  • SBA Paycheck Protection Program (P3): This is essentially a cash-flow assistance program guaranteed by the federal government. These are largely “forgivable loans” – which basically means they could turn into grants if you cover eligible expenses (see this accessible Q&A for more details). Loans are available to nonprofits with up to 500 employees, for up to $10 million, and are designed to cover costs related to payroll, operations, rent, utilities, and interest on debt. Collateral and personal guarantees are not required. Loans are now available through IFF and our SBA-qualified nonprofit lending partner, Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF). 
  • SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: This program is not traditionally available to nonprofits, but it is now. Loans may be up to $2 million, at a favorable rate of 2.75%, and possibly for up to a 30-year term. Loans are designed to cover the impacts of the pandemic, including on payroll and operating costs. There’s a provision that allows nonprofits to draw an advance of $10,000, distributed within 3 days of applying. The program is available in any state with a disaster declaration, which includes all of the states in IFF’s Midwest territory (Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin).
  • Health Care: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), awarded $100 million to 1,381 health centers across the country with new funding provided by Congress. HRSA-funded health centers may use the awards to address screening and testing needs, acquire medical supplies and boost telehealth capacity in response to COVID-19. Some recipients included community-based nonprofit health centers.
  • Loan Support for Larger Nonprofits (500–10,000 employees): The Economic Stabilization Fund creates a $454 billion loan and loan guarantee program for “eligible business,” which is defined as a business that has not otherwise received economic relief in the form of loans or loan guarantees provided under the legislation. It is expected, but unclear, that nonprofits qualify under that definition for stabilization loans. According to the National Council for Nonprofits: “Mid-sized nonprofits and businesses that have between 500 and 10,000 employees are expressly eligible for loans under this provision. Although there is no loan forgiveness provision in this section, the mid-size business loans would be charged an interest rate of no higher than 2% and would not accrue interest or require repayments for the first six months. Nonprofits accepting the mid-size business loans must retain at least 90% of their staff at full compensation and benefits until September 30.”
  • Charitable Giving Incentive. From Nonprofit Quarterly: “The stimulus bill also contains a one-time, above-the-line deduction for cash contributions of up to $300 made to certain qualifying charities. All taxpayers would be eligible to take the deduction, even people who use the standard deduction. The incentive applies to contributions made in 2020 and would be claimed on tax forms next year. The new deduction would not apply to non-cash gifts or to gifts contributed to donor advised funds. For the 8% of individual taxpayers who itemize their deductions, the bill would suspend for 2020 the normal limit on deductions for contributions, ordinarily 50% of adjusted gross income or 60% for cash. For corporations, the limit on deductions for contributions, ordinarily 10% of AGI, is elevated to 25% for 2020. Food donations from corporations would be available to 25%, up from the current 15% cap.”

 

State

  • Illinois – Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund: The City of Chicago established this $100 million Resiliency Fund to provide small businesses and nonprofits with emergency cash flow during this health crisis. Funds will be provided to eligible businesses as low-interest loans. Applications are open.
  • Illinois – Small Business (and Nonprofit) Emergency Loan Fund: This DCEO fund will offer small businesses low-interest loans of up to $50,000. “Small” is defined as fewer than 50 workers and less than $3 million in revenue in 2019. Forms for City of Chicago and outside of Chicago will be posted by Friday, March 27.
  • Illinois – Downstate Small Business (and Nonprofit) Stabilization Program: To support small businesses in downstate and rural counties across Illinois, DCEO is repurposing $20 million in CDBG funds.  The new Fund will offer small businesses of up to 50 employees the opportunity to partner with their local governments to obtain grants of up to $25,000 in working capital.  These grants will be offered on a rolling basis.
  • Iowa – CDBG Funds to Support Infectious Disease Response: Nonprofits are eligible sub-applicants to receive Community Development Block Grants re-routed to public health purposes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Michigan – Small Business (and Nonprofit) Relief: The Michigan Small Business Relief Program — for which nonprofits are eligible — will provide up to $20 million in support for small businesses negatively impacted by COVID-19. The funding is divided into both grants and loans, both of which are expected to become available no later than April 1.
  • Michigan – Emergency Supplies for Community Facilities: The state launched a new online platform to connect health and human service providers with critical supplies such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, cleaning supplies, water, and more. Child care facilities, community centers, educational institutions, health care facilities, homeless shelters, and other human service nonprofits are encouraged to use the program.
  • Minnesota – Cash Advances for Nonprofits: In certain circumstances, the Department of Employment and Economic Development can approve cash advance payments for nonprofits.
  • Missouri – CDBG Funds to Support COVID Response: The Missouri Department of Economic Development announced today that it will receive $13.6 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to support Missouri’s COVID-19 response efforts.
  • Wisconsin – Small Business 20/20 Program: This program provides grants up to $20,000 to approved community development financial institutions (CDFIs) to provide their existing loan clients to assist with cash-flow assistance resulting from COVID-19.
  • State-by-State COVID-19 Orders: The American Enterprise Institute is tracking all state-issued orders such as stay-at-home orders, school closures, and emergency declarations.

 

The Best Lists of Nonprofit Resources

We didn’t want to re-invent the wheel. These state and national nonprofit leaders have gathered comprehensive lists of financial and operational resources for nonprofits facing new challenges from the COVID-19 virus and quarantine.

  • National: The National Council of Nonprofits has put together an excellent collection of resources specifically geared for nonprofits, from state-by-state guides to information on how nonprofits can keep up their operations
  • National: State-by-state list of COVID-19 relief funds created by community foundations, curated by the Community Foundation Public Awareness Initiative.
  • National: Center for Nonprofit Excellence‘s curated list of resources is devoted to helping nonprofits across the country get through these unprecedented times.
  • National: The Chronicle of Philanthropy has content about helping nonprofits plan and prepare for the impact of the coronavirus on workers, volunteers, and finances — including topics such as raising money, canceling events, and adapting sick leave policies.
  • National: DonorBox Nonprofit Blog combines a combination of resources related to public health information, fundraising, communications, and other nonprofit-targeted content.
  • National: Fiscal Management Associates (FMA), a long-time IFF partner, specializes in training nonprofits on financial management, and they’ve put together guides for getting through the pandemic.
  • National: Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) pulled together a list of state and federal financing programs and resources to address disaster relief and recovery. Scroll down to “COVID-19 Recovery & Relief Resources” to see a list of programs.
  • Illinois: Forefront pulled together COVID-19-related resources for both funders and nonprofits, including webinars, free resources, funding resources, and more.
  • Michigan: The Michigan Nonprofits Association has gathered a variety of resources, from legal and human resources considerations to technology resources and communications advice.
  • Missouri – Kansas City Area: Nonprofit Connect has created this list of considerations and resources for local nonprofits to be prepared for COVID-19. It includes funding sources, as well as recommendations related to communications and procedures.
  • Minnesota: The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits has gathered advice for nonprofits on how to weather disaster preparedness.
  • Ohio: Greater Ohio Policy Center – This organization is part of a number of statewide and national networks that are sharing information and resources that can help communities manage the COVID-19 crisis.

 

COVID-19 Relief Funds

Several philanthropic efforts are underway, but they’re all at different stages of development — from being announced, to launching to accept donations, to releasing eligibility and applications, to actually distributing funds to nonprofits. We are trying to track progress and will update this page weekly (at a minimum). Last updated: June 10

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Michigan

Minnesota

Missouri

Ohio

Wisconsin

 

Resources for Nonprofit Arts & Culture Groups

 

Resources for Early Childhood Education Providers

State-by-State Official Guidance

Non-Government Resources

  • Child Care Aware of America – News and information to help prepare families, child care providers, and policymakers (including a handy state-by-state map of resources).
  • Early Childhood Investment Corporation – Resources updated daily from the government and the private and nonprofit sectors, for families with young children and for organizations that serve young children and families.
  • Hope Starts Here – This new online platform connects essential workers in Detroit to affordable childcare. It also brings same-day COVID-19 testing, personal protective equipment, and other support to childcare programs in operation.
  • National Institute for Early Education Research – A curated list of resources for state early childhood administrators.
  • No Kid Hungry – Emergency grants to support local school districts and nonprofit organizations in their efforts to ensure kids get the nutritious food they need.

 

Resources for Schools

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