I have received so many responses to my posts in the last few weeks. Thank you for that! It is great to know people are reading them and that they are helping. Keep replying, I love it!
I’m sharing a few more ideas for ways to help – these came from you!
- Make masks out of Yarmulkes. It started as a “request” at a Netherlands synagogue. My friend sent me this video.
- Donate blood or platelets. A reader said it is often overlooked and desperately needed.
- Foster a pet. Ok, I added this one. It has been great to have our dogs in the house and for those who find themselves alone, another heartbeat can go a long way. Check out my favorite coworker (who is still learning about personal space.)
Are any of you feeling inundated with opportunities to get on Zoom and talk about or learn about “stuff”?
From working from home, to pivoting your work, to the technology, to the Cares Act – I feel like I am on more zoom calls than before (and that was already a lot!) I have watched a bunch of them and I will try to share some of the more helpful links here, mainly focused on financial support.
Disclaimer: These programs are offered by individual companies, organizations, and the government. I am not endorsing any. Please see the linked pages for applicable terms, restrictions, and instructions.
Goodwill offers and resources for small businesses: Businesses and organizations are all trying to show they care and rolling out offers of grants, loans, and marketing and promotion assistance. Go Daddy consolidated many of them here. I’m highlighting the grants as those are the best!
- Facebook. Apply for part of Facebook’s $100 million grant program for small businesses impacted by COVID-19.
- James Beard Foundation started a Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund to provide micro-grants to independent food and beverage small businesses.
- Fundera. Get information and advice for business grants and a list of 107 verified startup and small business grants. (Not COVID-19 specific.)
The CARES Act: The federal government and small business administration are trying to get the money out in multiple ways. Visit the SBA Website HERE for more options. Besides extending the unemployment benefits, the two that are the most relevant to the gig economy (those of us who are sole proprietors, and 1099 workers) are:
- The Payroll Protection Program: This SBA loan, and potential grant, helps businesses keep their workforce employed for two months. The timing may be extended. If you spend 75% of the money on payroll and the rest is used for rent, mortgage interest, or utilities, the loan will be forgiven. If it’s not forgiven, loan payments will be deferred for six months and the interest rate at that time is very low.
- The Economic Injury Disaster Loans: This program keeps changing but the application is quick and simple. Make sure you click the box asking for an advance. That makes it eligible to be forgiven up to $1,000 per employee.
- IRS Tax Relief: So happy to hear I don’t have to pay my taxes until July 15th!
- The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act
Protecting Your Employees: The Small Business Owner’s Guide to COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave
10 Ways Small Businesses Can Survive and Rebound From Coronavirus
Can I Claim Coronavirus Losses on My Small Business Insurance?
A Major List of Business Grants (by categories, including COVID-19 & Federal grants)
This is just a little sampling of the help that is out there. Focusing outward can also help our mental state when feeling so uncertain. I know it is helping me while I wait to determine if my son’s bar mitzvah will happen in June and if we can take the celebratory trip I spent a year planning in August. Time will tell.
Next week I will talk about job searching during a Pandemic. Stay tuned!
