With the COVID-19 situation rapidly changing, virus containment and mitigation have become a priority in every community across the country. Self-isolation and social distancing are vital in these efforts – unfortunately, small businesses will see their patronage and revenues affected by these measures.
Federal, state, and local agencies are working to find ways to help small businesses in this time of need. CAMEO has gathered some resources that will be helpful for our members and their clients; we will be updating this page as more information becomes available.
If you have any useful resources that are not included in this page, please submit them using this form.
Timely
- The California Employers Association will be hosting a free webinar on coronavirus and the workplace on March 19, 2020. As crisis unfolds, employers have many questions regarding reducing risk, business impact, and managing employees.
- General Assembly is holding a webinar on how to maximize productivity with a distributed team working remotely, on March 19, 2020.
- Simpplr is hosting a webinar with industry experts offering insights on internal communications during COVID-19 – on March 20, 2020 at 10:00am PDT.
- The Founder Institute is hosting an interactive webinar on March 24, 2020 at 9:30am PDT for entrepreneurs to pitch startup ideas to a panel of experts.
- The Founder Institute is hosting a webinar on cash planning for startups in uncertain times, on March 26, 2020 at 4:00pm PDT.
General resources
- Follow CDC guidelines for businesses.
State resources
- The California Department of Public Health has up-to-date official information on COVID-19.
- GO-Biz has a dedicated page for business assistance information related to the Coronavirus outbreak.
- The Labor & Workforce Development Agency is sharing Coronavirus-related resources for employers and workers.
- Visit California has information for businesses in the travel industry.
- The California Employment Development Department has a resource website for workers and employers.
- The League of California Cities has a page with the latest Coronavirus news.
- The California Department of Industrial Relations has information on sick leave for those affected by COVID-19.
- The California Department of Social Services has provided guidance on serving communities affected by the outbreak.
- Covered California has opened a special enrollment period through April 30, 2020.
- JEDE has put together a webpage to help small businesses, entrepreneurs, workers, and economic and workforce development professionals respond to COVID-19 challenges.
Local resources
- The City of LA has a dedicated website for Coronavirus-related information.
- LA County has resources to help small businesses through a public health emergency.
- The City and County of San Francisco is offering guidance on small business relief programs.
- The City and County of San Francisco is offering deferred business taxes and licensing fees to small businesses.
- The City of Oakland has launched a website to serve as a portal for all the local, state and federal resources available to support businesses and workers during this crisis.
- Postmates introduced a Small Business Relief Pilot allowing new businesses in the San Francisco and Sacramento areas to sign up for the platform and enjoy a temporary waive on commission fees. Postmates is also offering no contact delivery for customers, as well as a relief fund to cover medical expenses for its fleet of delivery workers.
Access to capital
- California Capital Access Program
- California IBank’s Small Business Finance Center
- The City and County of San Francisco is offering grants of up to $10,000 to affected microbusinesses.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
What our members are doing
- Jewish Free Loan Association: They are offering a no-fee and interest-free loan of up to $10,000 to cover business losses, lost wages, child care costs, and lost travel funds.
- Uptima Business Bootcamp: Entrepreneurship courses will continue as scheduled and they’re offering financial assistance to entrepreneurs of color covering up to 100% of the course fee and payment plans.
- Kiva: Effective immediately, U.S. applicants for a Kiva loan will have access to expanded eligibility, loan increase to $15,000, and a grace period of up to 6 months.
- Pacific Community Ventures: They are offering free remote small business advice on any issue or challenge.
Organizational resources
- Crowdsourced list of resources from the Freelancers Union for independent entrepreneurs.
- Accounting firm WIPFLi LLP has put out a COVID-19 preparedness checklist.
- Facebook created a free Business Resource Hub with resources for businesses struggling to navigate the COVID-19 outbreak.
- TechSoup created a page with nonprofit resources for remote work.
- Fast Company is sharing strategies to set up remote work.
- Taproot is offering a free virtual consultation session for nonprofits to connect with a subject matter expert for an hour of brainstorming and problem-solving in their area of need.
- This article has survival tips to protect small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis.
- What other things might you need to consider: insurance, web security, etc.
Tech tools
- Google is offering free access to “Advanced Hangouts Meet” video-conferencing capabilities for G-Suite customers through July 1, 2020.
- Comcast is providing free Xfinity hotspots, unlimited data, and no disconnects or late fees for all customers experiencing hardship over the next 60 days. Comcast is also offering a free Internet Essentials internet plan for all new customers for 60 days.
- Dropbox invites nonprofits and NGOs focused on fighting COVID-19 to apply for a free, three-month subscription to Dropbox Business.
- Verizon is waiving late fees incurred by any residential or small business customers due their economic circumstances related to COVID-19 for the next 60 days. Furthermore, the company will not terminate service to any residential or small business customers who are unable to pay their bills due to disruptions caused by COVID-19.
Policy
- CAMEO member Small Business Majority are sharing policy suggestions for Congress to immediately support American small businesses.
- Small Business Roundtable submitted a letter to the House and Senate leadership with recommendations to respond to COVID-19.