COVID-19: Assistance for Businesses and Nonprofits

General Information

Department of Labor Answers Employers' Questions about Families First Coronavirus Response Act
https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions

America's Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) also provides resources for businesses, including free and confidential one-on-one advising: https://www.nhsbdc.org/covid-19-assistance

  • Visit the NH SBDC COVID-19 Assistance website for small business information and the latest updates, and recommendations from our business advisors. Share the link with other business owners who may need assistance. www.nhsbdc.org/covid-19-assistance
  • Join a NH SBA Webinar about the federal loan programs available. Webinars are running twice a day at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Join Skype Meeting online or by phone: +1 (202) 765-1264, 522409519#

Funding Opportunities
 

Video: Financial Tools for Business to get ahead during the Covid challenge
Two representatives from Northway Bank speak about the Payroll Protection and other current loan programs. Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/427846698

Financing for website design available to Grafton County Small Businesses
Grafton Regional Development Corporation​ is offering a program that provides funding to help businesses develop new or update existing websites.The Website Assistance Loan Program offers qualified businesses interest-free payments on deferred loans of up to $2,000. Additionally, some businesses may be eligible for zero-cost website support services. To apply for the Website Assistance Loan Program:
●Visit the NH SBDC website​ at nhsbdc.org/grafton-county and click on Online Request for Services.
●Select Online Request for Counseling with Rita Toth.
●Complete the requested information about your business.
●Businesses will be contacted by Toth to arrange an intake meeting.
For more information about the Website Assistance Loan Program, contact Anne Duncan Cooley at (603) 536-2011 or ​[email protected].

Watch a video about this opportunity with GRDC's Anne Duncan Cooley at: https://vimeo.com/412332577

Business & Industry Association (BIA) NH's Statewide Chamber of Commerce provides a variety or resources for businesses, including grants available, governor's emergency orders, and employer guidance during COVID-19: https://www.biaofnh.com/covid19.html

USDA Rural Development
A COVID-19 resource page to keep customers, partners, and stakeholders continuously updated on actions taken by the Agency to help rural residents, businesses, and communities impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak: https://rd.usda.gov/coronavirus

US Small Business Association provides disaster loan assistance
Disaster loan assistance declaration
Disaster loan details and how to apply: https://www.townofbristolnh.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif2866/f/uploads/sba_disaster_loan_fact_sheet.pdf
Small Business Association approved lenders in New Hampshire: https://www.townofbristolnh.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif2866/f/news/sba_lenders_in_nh_feb_2020.pdf
SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities through the Paycheck Protection Program: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program-ppp

Businesses: Need help figuring out how to navigate the challenges COVID-19 is bringing for your business? Great resource from the state right here: https://www.nheconomy.com/covid19

Resources for Nonprofits
The New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits is compiling a wealth of resources for nonprofits in New Hampshire, from relief funding and grants available, to how to communicate with communities and working from home. Visit the list of resources at: https://www.nhnonprofits.org/page/coronavirus-covid-19-resources-nonprofits

Emergency Relief Funding to Cultural Institutions Affected by Coronavirus
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) announced new grant guidelines designed to rapidly distribute CARES Act funding to cultural nonprofits affected by the coronavirus pandemic. This new funding opportunity, NEH CARES: Cultural Organizations, will provide grants of up to $300,000 to sustain humanities organizations and preserve jobs in the cultural sector. Learn more at: https://www.neh.gov/program/neh-cares-cultural-organizations

NH Nonprofit Response Fund
The Response Fund will rapidly deploy resources to community-based organizations at the front lines of the outbreak and nonprofits supporting the most vulnerable individuals and families directly impacted. The Fund will prioritize the most immediate public health needs and economic impacts of the new disease, focusing on service providers that support vulnerable populations. CDFA and BFA will administer loans including deferred loans to qualified nonprofits. Learn more at: https://nhcdfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/NH-Nonprofit-Response-Fund-Application-and-Program-Guide-040920.pdf

NH Charitable Foundation offers Express Grants up to $5,000
In 2020, the Foundation’s Express Grants program will be dedicated exclusively to meeting urgent needs related to the COVID-19 crisis. Grants of up to $5,000 will be available through open application beginning April 1st. The application process has been streamlined, and we will prioritize nonprofits assisting the most vulnerable. Express Grants will be unrestricted to respond to needs such as communication technology, increased service demand, lost revenue, supplies, and so on. Learn more at: https://www.nhcf.org/how-can-we-help-you/apply-for-a-grant/express-grant-program/

New England Grassroots Environment Fund
The Grassroots Fund is making rapid response Seed grant program available to grassroots groups responding to local needs and building resilience in their community in response to the COVID19 pandemic and associated events. They are committed to making decisions and getting dollars out the door as fast as they can.

The Seed grant program has a brief online application and requests can be up to $1,000. Even if you have an active grant (or pending application) for another project with them, this urgent rapid response program is available for all groups who see a need in their community to respond to COVID19. Learn more at: https://grassrootsfund.org/dollars/rapid-response-funding

Resources for Cultural/Heritage Nonprofits
The Smithsonian Heritage Emergency National Task Force has compiled resources on funding an organization's recovery, FEMA public assistance programs, grants for artists, and more at: https://culturalrescue.si.edu/hentf/major-disasters/current-disasters/

Video with Hector Hsu, owner of Very Excellent, on running a businesses during COVID-19
https://vimeo.com/428290776

Video on Rebuilding your Business with Jason Briand
https://vimeo.com/407154203

Video on How Businesses Can Take Control of the Current Situation with Jason Briand
https://vimeo.com/407159173

Video on Resources Available to Sole Proprietors with Sandra Heaney
https://vimeo.com/407163775

Video on Resource Available for Small Businesses to Build or Improve Websites
https://vimeo.com/412332577

COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide
USDA and its Federal partners have programs that can be used to provide immediate and long-term assistance to rural communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. These programs can support recovery efforts for rural residents, businesses and communities. Find the resource guide at: https://rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/USDA_COVID-19_Fed_Rural_Resource_Guide.pdf?utm_source=AdaptiveMailer&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Community%20and%20Economic%20Development%20Update&org=785&lvl=100&ite=12135&lea=2278515&ctr=0&par=1&trk=a0W6f00000UnrLsEAJ

IRS tax payment deadline extended
Corporations: For C Corporations, income tax payment deadlines are being automatically extended until July 15, 2020, for up to $10 million of their 2019 tax due.

Details about the extension can be found on the IRS website: www.irs.gov/newsroom/payment-deadline-extended-to-july-15-2020

$50 million fund to provide emergency relief to hospitals and other health care providers
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has announced that the COVID-19 Emergency Healthcare System Relief Fund is now accepting applications from hospitals and healthcare providers on the frontline responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications and instructions on how to apply can be found at: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/media/pr/2020/03232020-healthcare-relief-fund.htm

Emergency Child Care Collaborative funding
The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is now accepting applications from child care providers seeking designation as emergency child care programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. In partnership with the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation (NHCF) and child care stakeholders, DHHS has committed $4 million in federal funding to establish the Emergency Child Care Collaborative, a public-private partnership that will ensure a robust and effective system of emergency child care for New Hampshire parents providing essential services during COVID-19.

Child care programs will be eligible to apply for incentive payments, including funding to support pay differentials for staff, child care costs for child care professionals, and other operating costs to support an emergency child care system. The Emergency Child Care Collaborative will hold a webinar for providers on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, from 6 – 7 p.m. to answer provider questions.      

Details of the Emergency Child Care Collaborative: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/documents/emer-child-care.pdf

Free internet for residential, hot spots, and reduced fees for businesses
Atlantic Broadband launches low-cost internet options and business options and business solutions to keep communities connected during COVID-19 Crisis, including free internet for residential customers for 60 days. Press release with details: www.townofbristolnh.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif2866/f/uploads/abb_internet_assist_release-march_20.pdf

Eversource Energy Letter to Chamber of Commerce and business leaders
During this challenging time for all of us, Eversource is providing several measures that will lessen the financial hardship on all our customers, including small businesses—the backbone of our communities.

In addition to postponing customer disconnections for non-payment and assisting customers with financial programs to help pay their bill, Eversource is also providing extended payment arrangements for small business customers.

In normal operations, small business customers get up to three months for bill payment arrangements. To support small business customers through the COVID-19 crisis, Eversource is offering a $0 down payment and a 12-month payment arrangement, with the first payment not due until June 1.

The reliability of our essential service has never been more important than it is today during these uncertain times. With many people working from home, and students studying remotely, customers are increasingly relying on electronic devices to accomplish their goals.

Throughout the health crisis, be assured that Eversource is taking strict personal and public safety measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19 while also performing essential tasks to ensure all our customers have a safe and reliable energy system.

Essential work is that which maintains or improves the condition of our energy system to ensure safe and reliable service to customers. Examples include replacement of electrical lines, poles, and other equipment; installation of automated switches that speed restoration of customers following an outage; new utility connections; vegetation management along electric lines; and work mandated by law or regulation or as required by regional electric grid operator ISO-New England.

During this time, we are rescheduling all planned outages, as well as routine non-outage, service-related work inside residence or business.

Safe Work Spaces

Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility
The CDC provides guidance for employers on how to clean and disinfect facilities: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/disinfecting-building-facility.html?deliveryName=USCDC_2067-DM24835

Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
The CDC provide guidance on developming, implementing, and maintaining a cleaning and disinfecting spaces plan: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/reopen-guidance.html?deliveryName=USCDC_2067-DM26911

Protect your business from increased cyber attacks
NH Department of Justice: Attorney General Gordon J. MacDonald urges people in New Hampshire to be on the alert for charitable giving and consumer product scams related to the COVID-19 outbreak: https://www.doj.nh.gov/news/2020/20200326-covid-scam-alert.htm

Fortune: How hackers are exploiting the coronavirus - and how to protect yourself: fortune.com/2020/03/18/hackers-coronavirus-cybersecurity/

The Straits Times: Coronavirus-themed cyber attacks surge as more employees forced to work from home: www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/coronavirus-themed-cyberattacks-surge-as-more-employees-forced-to-work-from-home

US Department of Homeland Security: How to protect from cyber attacks: www.dhs.gov/how-do-i/protect-myself-cyber-attacks

Strategies for Optimizing the Supply of Facemasks for health professionals
This website offers a series of strategies or options to optimize supplies of facemasks in healthcare settings when there is limited supply: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/face-masks.html