Private and Nonprofit SMB COVID-19 Resources

Radhika Sivadi

8 min read ·

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We have compiled a selection of the top resources for financial relief that are being spearheaded by Private and Nonprofit Corporations.

LegalZoom | $6 Million in Grants

LegalZoom is partnering with the NBA, WNBA and NBA G League to fund a grant program focused on entrepreneurs of color, women, immigrants, LGBTQ+ people and others who have limited access to funding. One hundred grants of $10,000 each will be awarded; applications are due on November 23, 2021 

DoorDash | Restaurant Disaster Relief Grants

DoorDash is launching a five-year, $200 million Main Street Strong pledge to help restaurants impacted by state or federally-declared natural disasters. They offer grant support, as well as education, resources and community support through the DoorDash Restaurant Disaster Relief Community through their partnership with Hello Alice.

Tory Burch Foundation | Year Long Fellowship with 5k Grant for Women

The Tory Burch Foundation is offering fellowships to 50 women that includes a $5,000 business education grant, virtual workshops and access to their founders’ network platform. Applications are accepted until November 12, 2021.

Backstage Capital | Venture Capital Investment

Backstage Capital invests in companies led by underrepresented founders, including women, people of color and LGBT founders. Applicants are asked to outline their business financial needs and all application questions can be viewed online before applying.

IFundWomen | 8M in Grants

IFundWomen works with partners to match grant criteria with potential recipients through this universal application. When an applicant matches a grantor’s criteria, they may be invited to apply for that specific grant.

NAACP | Grants of $25,000 for Black-Owned businesses

Through a collaboration between the NAACP, Vistaprint and the Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation, grants of $25,000 are offered on a rolling basis to small Black-owned businesses in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and some areas of Connecticut. The grant offers marketing and design resources and opportunities to be featured on national co-branded platforms.

Hello Alice | Grants for Women Entrepreneurs

Project Entrepreneur, in partnership with Hello Alice, is offering thirty grants of $25,000 each to female founders of color who lead high-growth companies. Applications are accepted through November 10, 2021.

NeedyMeds | Affordable Medications and Healthcare Resources

NeedyMeds is a national nonprofit that provides information on healthcare programs through direct assistance and facilitated programs. This includes discounted drug cards, diagnosis assistance, information on low or sliding-scale clinics, and more.

Women.net Amber Grants for Women

Amber Grants are awarded monthly to women who want to fulfill their business dreams. The application is straightforward and looks for passion as much as business savvy.

Alibaba Small Business Grant Program

Alibaba is offering 50 grants in the amount of $10,000 to online entrepreneurs to bring their ideas or products to market. The deadline is October 21, 2021 at 6:00 pm.

Modest Needs Self Sufficiency Grants

This nonprofit offers grants to low-income workers in the U.S. or Canada who are living paycheck to paycheck. Grants average between $750 and $1,250.

How to Encourage Customers to Leave Good Online Reviews

Online reviews can make or break a business. This article offers clear and specific tips to encourage your customers to leave glowing reviews.

Comcast | RISE Grants for Small Businesses Owned by People of Color

Comcast has added a second round of funding to support small businesses owned by people of color in Houston, Miami, Oakland, Seattle, the Twin Cities and Washington, D.C. Grants are up to $10,000 and applications will be accepted from October 1- 14, 2021, with awardees announced in November.

NAV | Small Business Grants

Nav provides financing solutions for small businesses and is offering a $10,000 grant to take your business to the next level; a $5,000 runner-up grant will also be offered. Applications will be accepted until October 26, 2021.

Forbes | Article – Tips for Ramping up a Business After COVID-19

The Delta variant has created a second wave of COVID-19 but restrictions are less confining thanks to vaccinations. This article offers advice on how to navigate through and beyond pandemic challenges to help ensure the welfare of your business.

Dave Portnoy | The Barstool Fund

Barstool Sport founder, Dave Portnoy, has created a fund for small businesses who have been impacted by the pandemic. To qualify, businesses need to have been continually paying their employees.

CO | Article – How to Cut Overhead Costs

As small businesses begin to ramp up after COVID closures, it is more challenging and important than ever to minimize expenses. This article offers tips on how to evaluate each budget line and to evaluate where cost-cutting makes sense.

Lenovo | #EvolveSmall to Contribute to a Small Business Grant Fund

Lenovo initiated an Evolve Small campaign to support small businesses recovering from the impact of COVID-19. Lenovo will donate $5 to support funding opportunities for these businesses for every unique use of the hashtag #EvolveSmall, so support fellow small businesses by using the hashtag whenever you visit their locations or use their products.

LISC | 2.5 million recovery fund

This non-profit that was founded by the Ford Foundation in 1979 is working with Verizon to distribute a 2.5 million recovery fund that is designed to offer grants to help small businesses fill urgent financial gaps until they can resume normal operations or until other more permanent financing becomes available. Apply for your small business grant here.

MainVest | zero-interest 120 day $2,000 loan

If you have an existing brick & mortar business that has been negatively effected by the COVID-19 outbreak and you launch a capital raise on Mainvest, you may be eligible to receive a $2,000 zero-interest loan immediately. Then through your capital raise, you can receive over $100,000 of investment from your community.

Kiva | 0% loans up to $15,000

Effective immediately, U.S. applicants for a Kiva loan will have access to the following:

  • Expanded eligibility: More businesses in the US will be eligible for a Kiva loan.
  • Larger loans: The maximum loan on the Kiva platform will increase from $10,000 to $15,000.
  • Grace period: New borrowers may access a grace period of up to 6 months for greater financial flexibility.

Honeycomb Credit | $10,000 to $50,000 in working capital

The investment crowdfunding platform, announced a small business relief loan program that’s providing $10,000 to $50,000 in working capital to qualifying businesses. Honeycomb is offering 45-day payment free periods,  6-month interest-only periods and reducing their posting, success, and investor fees.

James Beard Foundation | Microgrants for food and beverage businesses

The foundation launched a Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund to provide microgrants to independent food and beverage small businesses in need.

SheaMoisture | $1 million relief fund for minority-owned businesses

SheaMoisture created a $1 million relief fund for minority-owned businesses impacted by COVID-19.

The grant aims to show the power of small businesses to help communities, while also hoping to minimize the financial disruptions many are experiencing from the global outbreak of COVID-19.

Goldman Sachs | $250 million in emergency loans and $25 million in grants

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. announced it will deliver $300 million across two separate initiatives to help small businesses and communities around the world navigate the current health and economic crisis. Goldman Sachs has committed:

  • $275 million to create a Small Business Stimulus Package, including:
    • $250 million to provide emergency loans to small businesses across the country
    • $25 million in grants to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and other mission-driven lenders to ensure they have the necessary capacity to underwrite and deliver loans to small businesses as soon as possible
  • $25 million as part of the Goldman Sachs COVID-19 Relief Fund to support communities in most urgent need globally, with the firm contributing to match employee donations up to an additional $5 million

FedEx |30% off Shipping, $40 off printing, Grants and More

FedEx knows that we need the energy and innovative thinking small businesses bring to our communities so they are offering up to 40% off shipping, up to $30 off printing and with their #SupportSmall Grant initiative FedEx is giving away $1 million to help small businesses fill critical gaps and stay afloat. FedEx has also compiled a wealth of information and support for small businesses to help them through this time. You can find all of the Covid-19 resources that FedEx is offering here.

Otto Bremer Trust | $50 Million Emergency Fund

The Otto Bremer Trust has created an emergency fund to provide financial support to Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Montana nonprofits and community organizations impacted by the pandemic.

GoFundMe | Small Business Relief Fund

The GoFundMe.org Small Business Relief Fund will provide micro-grants to qualifying small businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Small Business Relief Fund is part of the Small Business Relief Initiative: a program supported by GoFundMe and our partners. The Small Business Relief Initiative will supply financial assistance and support to businesses across the country by providing grants, tools, and resources to help during the crisis.

Mailchimp | $10M Price Relief Fund

Mailchimp will be offering $10 million worth of service for existing customers who want to continue using Mailchimp’s platform but need some financial support during this period. As an additional response to the crisis, Mailchimp will invest up to $100M to help drive new and ongoing business for our small-business customers through price discounts, product upgrades, add-ons and more.

USBG | 9.2M Bartender Relief Fund

During these uncertain times, the United States Bartenders’ Guild Foundation strives to be a resource for our bar industry community. Please find all of our COVID-19 Relief & Response Information here. 

The Red Backpack Fund | $5000 Grants to Female Entrepreneurs

The Red Backpack Fund offers $5000 grants to female entrepreneurs who have been impacted by the coronavirus crisis. Applications will be accepted between August 3 and August 10 from businesses or nonprofits that are majority women-owned, have between one and 50 paid employees and earn annual revenues under $5 million.

Children of Restaurant Employees (CORE) | Covid-19 Support

Children of Restaurant Employees (CORE) is a nonprofit that provides support to food and beverage service employees across the country whose children have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or who has someone else living in their home who has been diagnosed. Grants are offered for medical bill and supplies, groceries, clothing, rent, utilities and other essential needs.

Above and Beyond Foundation | Grants for Hospitality Workers

The Helping Hospitality Urgent Aid Grant Program is awarding $500 Visa gift cards for employees in the meetings and events business who go above and beyond but have lost their job due to the pandemic. Potential recipients must be nominated by their employer and can include workers from hotels, convention and event facilities, transportation companies and destination management companies, but not restaurants and bars.

The United Sommeliers Foundation Fund | Industry Support and Financial Assistance 

This foundation provides financial assistance to professional sommeliers in the U.S. who are experiencing difficulties or have lost their job. The foundation also hopes to create a long term plan to support the industry beyond the current crisis.

Network for Good | Fundraising and Educational Resources 

Network for Good is a nonprofit offering for-profit software services to process donations. This includes access for nonprofits to their “Free Fundraising Resources Library”, with links to fundraising guides and webinars on topics such as fundraising strategies, digital communication during a crisis and engaging with donors.

Community Investment Corporation (CIC) | Community Backed Loans and Grants

CIC offers various COVID-19 emergency, community-backed loan products for small businesses. In addition to their lending partnerships, CIC is offering up to $10 – 15,000 in matching funds per loan.  

National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) | Loans from $250,000 to $2.5 million

The NMSDC offers two loan programs for certified minority businesses enterprises that are at least three years old and financially sound. Loans range from $250,000 to $2.5 million and have five to 7 year terms.

LiftFund | Micro Loans

Headquartered in Texas,  LiftFund, a nonprofit, offers small business lending in 13 states. In addition to their micro and small business loans, they also currently have available Disaster Relief 2020 and COVID-19 Disaster Recovery loans, and offer an online application process.

Operation HOPE |  Mini-Grant Program

Operation HOPE program offers one-time, $500 payments for critical expenses such as rent, utilities or credit card bills. To be eligible, applicants must complete three sessions with a Financial Wellbeing Coach and work with that coach to develop a financial work plan.

 

Stay safe and remain strong in this turbulent time. And remember to check back on this article for updates as details of the above guidance and resources change.

 

If you have additions that you would like to see on our page please send them to reeves@yahoosmallbusiness.com.

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