Over the last 32 years, Community Vision has been a dedicated and responsive partner to our clients, allies, and communities. We know that the last several weeks have been very challenging and filled with a great deal of uncertainty. We are deeply committed to navigating these uncharted waters with all of you and we are hopeful that we can get through this difficult time, together.
COVID-19 has further emphasized the vast inequities present in our society and the reality that our economic system does not prioritize historically disinvested communities or those most vulnerable in our society. It is more important now than ever to reimagine a financial system that supports low-income communities and communities of color with building wealth and stability for themselves, their families, and their neighborhoods.
This moment reinforces the importance of working towards racial and economic equity, increasing community control, and democratizing capital; the very things we are prioritizing as we implement our lending, consulting, grantmaking, and community investing programs.
Over the last few weeks we have been connecting directly with our clients, partners, and community members. Every day we are learning of the challenges folks are facing as a result of COVID-19, what they need, and how we can best amplify our offerings to support our communities in navigating this arduous moment. We are here for you; as a partner, collaborator, and trusted advisor. We are offering the following types of support:
SUPPORTING THE NONPROFIT COMMUNITY
To support nonprofits in navigating this crisis, we are offering rapid response technical assistance which includes office hours with our expert financial management and real estate consultants, a webinar series, and free downloadable resources. Learn more.
SUPPORTING OUR BORROWERS: FLEXIBLE PAYMENT PLANS & DEFERMENTS
We are committed to supporting our borrowers through this time of crisis. We are working with our clients on payment deferments and loan restructures. If you are a borrower whose cash flow has been interrupted by the COVID crisis, please contact us. We are here to work with you on a solution that fits your situation and will meet your needs.
SUPPORTING EMERGENCY RESPONSE: RAPID FINANCING AT LOW INTEREST RATES
For organizations and businesses involved in COVID-19 response, we are offering rapid financing at low interest rates. Our priority areas include medical services and supplies, ensuring food supply, emergency housing, and avoiding displacement. Reach out to your loan representative for more details, or contact us. Funds are limited.
SUPPORTING COMMUNITY VISION
We are actively seeking new investments and grants to support our COVID-19 response. To make a new investment, or increase or extend your existing investment, please contact us.
While so many of our communities face rapid change, we’re working every day to ensure that nonprofits and mission-driven small businesses have the financial and strategic guidance they need to thrive. To help us continue our high quality consulting and lending services in this time of crisis, please make a donation here.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
LAST UPDATED MONDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2020
Below we’ve included a list of federal, state, and local resources for nonprofits, small businesses, and community members. As information is evolving quickly, we encourage you to check these pages regularly and sign up for any email updates. Although our staff is not in the office, we are available via email or phone. Contact information can be found on our website. Please do not hesitate to reach out – we are here for you.
- If you or your staff’s employment has been impacted, visit the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency website to review what benefits are available to you:
- If you lost your job or had reduced hours for reasons related to COVID-19 you may qualify for unemployment insurance. File a claim here.
- If you are unable to work due to medical quarantine or illness related to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional) you may qualify for Disability Insurance. File a claim here.
- If you or a family member are sick or for preventative care when civil authorities recommend quarantine you may qualify for paid sick leave. File a claim here.
- If you are unable to work because you are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional) you may qualify for Paid Family Leave. File a claim here.
- The State has granted affected tax filers an extension until June 15 to file tax returns and make certain payments. More information can be found this press release.
- The IRS has a webpage on coronavirus tax relief. There are not many specific offerings at this time, but this may change.
- The CARES Act is making capital available to nonprofits and small businesses across the United States. We have been monitoring the legislation and are relieved that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) Program will provide critically-needed support to organizations and small businesses in our community. Check out this article that highlights, in detail, the differences and what can be available for your organization or business. This article and this chart also provide a useful breakdown of loan programs available through the CARES Act for nonprofits specifically. As of now you can apply for a PPP loan through an existing SBA 7(a) lender, or any FDIC-insured bank or credit union that chooses to participate. We recommend you first connect with the institution you do your business banking with, as some lenders are giving preference to their existing customers. We strongly recommend you review this sample application to get prepared. You can also find a nearby PPP lender at this link. You can apply for the EIDL directly through the SBA at this link. You can also find PPP resources in Spanish at this link and more information about PPP loan forgiveness at this link.
- The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO BIZ) has collected information about all state programs for employers affected by coronavirus on this webpage.
- The City of San Francisco has issued a 30 day moratorium on commercial evictions with the possibility of extending another 30 days. Organizations facing possible eviction in other communities should check with their local government to see if a similar order has been issued.
- Check out this webpage for a list of emergency funds for freelancers & creatives who lost income due to COVID-19.
- Mayor Libby Schaaf has launched the Oakland COVID-19 Relief Fund with $2.5 million in private donor seed funding of which $250,000 has been earmarked for small business grants up to $10,000 each. The Relief Fund will also provide grants to nonprofit organizations focusing on economic security for small businesses and workers, community health, homelessness, and food.
- Legal Aid At Work published a list of relief funds at this webpage to supports undocumented worked in California.
- The City of Oakland launched a comprehensive resource page at this webpage for Businesses, Nonprofits, and Workers to plan, prepare, and respond to COVID-19.
- The City of Fresno launched a resource page at this webpage for businesses and residents.
- The City of Berkeley is offering $3 million in emergency grants to support businesses, nonprofits, and residents impacted by COVID-19. More information can be found at this webpage.
- Duke’s Fuqua School of Business put up a list of all known Coronavirus response funding sources at this webpage. The document is separated by region and type of support.
- The California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program launched on December 28th to support small businesses and nonprofits via two rounds of funding. Round One is from 8 am PT on Wednesday, December 30th to 11:59 pm PT on Friday, January 8th. Round Two has not yet been announced. More information available at this webpage.
- The California Arts Council is surveying the arts field at-large to gather data on the potential financial impacts of this public health emergency. If you are an organization or individual in the arts field that anticipates losing personal or business income related to COVID-19, please consider filling out this brief survey.
- Creative Capital put together a really helpful list of resources for artists and arts organizations.
- Philanthropy California is coordinating with state agencies and partners to respond to the threat and potential impacts of COVID-19. See their response, along with helpful resources, at this webpage.
- The East Bay Community Foundation put together the COVID-19: A Just East Bay Response Fund which will provide one-time general operating grants to organizations that provide critical services around economic security. Visit this webpage for more information.
- The City of San Francisco announced that it will provide $2.5 million in grants and low-interest loans to support working artists and arts and cultural organizations financially impacted by COVID-19. See the press release here. More information can be found in the City’s press release at this webpage.
- The City of San Francisco has a very helpful resource page for employers. The City has established an emergency small grant program providing up to $10,000 for businesses with 1-5 employees. It has also deferred most small business taxes until February 2021, and deferred license fees to June 30, 2020.
- The City of Oakland is asking employers to fill out a short online survey that will help determine the City’s response to support employers. It also has an informational webpage.
- Alameda County has established a webpage for business owners. At this time there are now county-specific programs that we are aware of, but the site allows employers to sign up for email updates.
- The City of Sacramento will provide zero-interest loans of up to $25,000 for small businesses hurt by COVID-19 and will focus on restaurants, retail, and daycare on a first-come-first-serve basis. Applications are available at this webpage (scroll to the very bottom).
- Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries. Visit this webpage to sign up for updates. Also, check out their business resource hub, which includes a resilience toolkit and quick action guide.
- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has a helpful webpage of information on how SBA emergency loans work, how to apply, and other issues to help your small business.
- Kabbage launched an online hub to help boost sales for small businesses. The site allows anyone in the US to purchase gift certificates from participating small businesses, providing small businesses with the capital they need today. Customers can then redeem the gift cards for remote-based services now or save them for when the crisis has ended.
- Kiva, a global distributor of microloans, is expanding eligibility for its microloan program in the US to support small businesses affected by COVID-19. In addition to 0% interest on microloans, eligible US applicants for Kiva microloans can qualify for larger loans (up to $15,000) and will enjoy a grace period of up to 6 months.
- The Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce launched a COVID-19 Resiliency Relief Program for black businesses. Learn more here.
