COVID-19 Small Business Resource Guide
We understand how difficult times are for many entrepreneurs and small business owners that are impacted by COVID 19. The unexpected challenges each of you have faced during these unprecedented times have been tough to navigate. The Corporate Concierge Group is here to support you to the best of our ability. Each week, we’ll be sharing resources, strategies and tips, to help support you through this pandemic.
Sustainability is our focus
Our goal is to pinpoint your unique situations and figure out how to equip you with success. We want to help you invest your energy on seeking opportunities that enable you to adapt in this ever-changing environment. We’ll be sharing best practices on strategic planning with possible paths forward. We’re working with our partners to provide you with everything you need to continue thriving! Please check your inboxes weekly for up-to-the-minute-posts, turn on post notifications on Instagram , follow and chat with us on Twitter .
Paycheck Protection Program
The Small Business Association has made a $349 Billion commitment to provide financial relief for small business owners impacted by the health crisis. Small businesses with less than 500 employees (including sole proprietorships, independent contractors and self-employed persons, private non-profit organizations 501(c)(19) including veterans may qualify.
The restaurant and retail industry were hit the hardest with “shelter in place” forcing some businesses to close indefinitely. Small businesses in the hospitality and food industry with one or more locations can be eligible for assistance. As long as the store employs less than 500 workers.
Eligible applicants are required to apply through SBA 7 (a) lenders or any federally insured depository institution or credit union. Lenders will start processing applications on April 3, 2020.
Google Ads credits for Small and Medium-sized Businesses
Google is helping small and medium-sized businesses to stay connected to their customers. Currently the tech giant is giving small business owners worldwide $340 million in ad credits to be used at any point until the end of 2020. Read the fine print, only small and medium businesses who advertise with Google directly, or through their partners since the beginning of 2019 are eligible. Meaning, advertisers have to have been active advertisers since January 1, 2019.
Financial Resources
The City of Hayward announced a new grant program
The city of Hayward, California announced a new grant program for local small businesses. The grant provides $5,000.00 to help businesses avert layoffs due to COVID-19. The business must have 25 or fewer employees. There is only 76 grants available of $5,000 and is awarded on a first-come first-serve basis. The grants do not need to be repaid.
City of Oakland Working Solutions Partnership
Small business support for local communities in Oakland, CA
CURRENT RESOURCES AVAILABLE
Grants:
For All Businesses:
Verizon and LISC are making grants of up to $10,000 to small business owners impacted by COVID-19, especially to entrepreneurs of color, women-owned businesses, and other enterprises in historically under-served places who don’t have access to flexible, affordable capital. Learn more and apply here. NOTE: Your application must be completed by Saturday, April 4th at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Hello Alice is offering grants of $10,000 to impacted small businesses. Learn more here.
Bumble is offering grants of $5,000 to impacted small businesses. Learn more here.
Coming Soon: Facebook Small Business Grants (sign up here to receive more information when it is available)
For Oakland Businesses:
The City of Oakland and Working Solutions are partnering on the Oakland Small Business Emergency Grant Program to provide working capital grants of $5,000 to small businesses in Oakland owned by very low-income individuals who have suffered financial loss due to the COVID-19 crisis. Review of applications will begin on Friday, April 3 and will continue until all funds are deployed. Learn more and apply here.
For Berkeley Business: The Berkeley City Council has approved $3 million for emergency relief grants to small businesses, nonprofit arts organizations, and residential tenants that are hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more here.
For Hayward Businesses: The City of Hayward Economic Development Division has launched a Business Resiliency Grant Program to provide grants of $5,000 to impacted small businesses. Learn more here.
For San Mateo County Businesses: The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors has provided $3 million in seed money to launch a fund to provide emergency relief to local individuals, families, nonprofit organizations and small businesses. Learn more here.
For San Francisco Businesses: Note that as of March 29, the City and County of San Francisco is no longer accepting applications for their emergency grant program for affected microbusinesses (1-5 employees). The program may reopen if additional funding becomes available. Learn more here and here.
For Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars:
Coming Soon: The James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund ( Currently the program is no longer accepting applications however, if additional funding becomes available, applications will reopen.) sign up here to receive more information when it is available)
Eater.com: “A List of Relief Funds for Restaurants, Bars, and Food Service Workers”. Learn more information here
Loans:
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): Apply for a very low interest, fixed rate loan.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): Created as part of the CARES Act, this SBA loan program helps businesses keep their workforce employed during the COVID-19 crisis.
San Francisco Chronicle article: “Bay Area coronavirus shutdown: here’s where to seek financial help”
Paid Leave Options:
Other Resources and Tips:
Medically Necessary COVID-19 Testing: Governor Gavin Newsom directed all commercial and Medi-Cal plans to offer free COVID-19 testing when medically necessary. Learn more here and here.
Taxes: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the California Franchise Tax Board have extended tax filing deadlines until July 15.
Utilities: PG&E has placed a moratorium on service shutoffs due to nonpayment.
Banks Offering Relief: Forbes has prepared a list of banks offering relief to customers.
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Guidance for Businesses and Employers
California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) resource page
California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity (CAMEO) resource page
Sonoma County Economic Development Board resource page
Small Business Majority: Daily Updates for Small Businesses
Small Business Majority: “Policy solutions to immediately support America’s job creators”
CAL Insurance: “Important Layoff Logistics Information”
Square resource guide
East Bay Restaurants: List of East Bay restaurants that are offering curb-side, no contact pick-up, or in-house delivery.
For San Francisco Businesses:
The City and County of San Francisco has developed this webpage to share information for businesses and workers impacted by COVID-19.
Deferred Business Taxes and Licensing Fees: The City and County of San Francisco is offering deferred business taxes and licensing fees to small businesses. Learn more here.
Moratorium on Commercial Evictions: Mayor London Breed has announced a moratorium on commercial evictions for small and medium-sized businesses in San Francisco. Learn more here.
Paid Sick Leave: Mayor Breed also announced a Workers and Families First Program to provide financial assistance to businesses to provide five days of additional paid sick time to employees. Learn more here.
Apply to Temporarily Suspend Recology Collection Services: In an effort to manage the high call volume due to impacts from COVID-19, Recology has set up this form for those wishing to temporarily suspend commercial collection service. Learn more here.
2019 Annual Reporting Form Requirement for Fair Chance Ordinance and Health Care Security Ordinance Cancelled: The City and County of San Francisco is cancelling the employer requirement to submit the 2019 Annual Reporting Form for the Health Care Security Ordinance and the Fair Chance Ordinance. Visit this website for more information about San Francisco labor laws during the COVID-19 emergency.
For Oakland Businesses:
The City of Oakland has outlined several measures to support small businesses during this crisis, including assistance with business taxes and other direct technical assistance.
The City has also launched a website to serve as a portal for all of the local, state, and federal resources available to support small businesses and workers during this crisis. Please share and forward to support our business community.
