• Maryland Nonprofits and the Standards for Excellence have created a Sample COVID-19 Back-to-Work Checklist and Procedures guide that may be adjusted in ways you see fit based on your organization’s size and functionality.
• The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits‘ publication, Going Forward: Best Practices and Considerations for Nonprofit Re-engagement, is a comprehensive resource to guide your organization’s reopening decisions around operations, workplace readiness, human resources, board governance, communication, events, and more.
• This general informational resource, created by the Aspen Institute with the support of medical experts, is designed to help people of all ages assess risk in a variety of common sport and recreational activities. Priority consideration in this document is given to lower-risk forms of participation, most of which involve free play or individual training. As COVID-19 restrictions lift and organized activities return, additional insights will be added.

The Department of Labor has also released guidance for employers and employees. Find this guidance in Spanish. 

FFCRA (Families First Coronavirus Response Act):
The US Department of Labor has published their initial guidance on the Families First Act. Undoubtedly more information will be available soon, but these documents offer clarification on some aspects of the Act. 

• Guidance for Employees: who is eligible, how to calculate pay, duration of leave, and more
• Guidance for Employers: who is covered, qualifying reasons for leave, tax credits, and more
• Questions and Answers: frequently asked questions

INFORMATION FROM THE US DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

The Paycheck Protection Program is a forgivable loan available to nonprofits for the purpose of keeping your employees on the payroll. It is open to nonprofit organizations with 500 or fewer employees. The federal government sets the guidelines, but the application process is through individual banks, and forms and requirements may vary from bank to bank.

This webinar covers an overview of the PPP, a walkthrough of filling out the application, and covers most frequently asked questions about applying for the program. 

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Overview

The Paycheck Protection Program or PPP is a Federal emergency FORGIVABLE loan program for nonprofits, small businesses, self-employed and independent contractors.  For nonprofits, the PPP covers payroll (including benefits), operations and debt service expenses to help employers to retain employees during the COVID-19 pandemic over an 8-week period ending June 30, 2020.  Nonprofits can receive up to $10,000,000 (or 2.5 times their average monthly payroll (including benefits) through this program.  You do not need to prove economic injury from COVID-19 to apply.  We encourage all eligible nonprofits to apply for these funds. 

Eligibility:

The PPP is open to 501(c)(3) non-profits with 500 employees (who reside in the US) or fewer.  Section 501(c)(19) veterans’ organizations and Tribal business concerns are also likely eligible.

The nonprofit had to be in operation on or before February 15, 2020, with full or part time employees.  Independent contractors are not included in the nonprofit application but they can apply directly to the program on their own. Click here for guidance on nondiscrimination obligations and additional eligibility requirements.

Loan amount:

Eligible nonprofits can receive up to $10,000,000 or 2.5 times the average total monthly payroll (including benefits) costs from the one-year period prior to the date of application. 

Applying for PPP Loans:

Nonprofits can apply through any participating SBA lender, but should start by contacting your own bank, which may be prioritizing its own customers. Different banks are handling the application process differently and asking for different kinds of documentation.  Nonprofits may want to contact more than one financial institution.

To apply for forgiveness of a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan, the Borrower must complete the Loan Forgiveness Application below and submit it to the Lender servicing their loan. Borrowers may also complete this application electronically through their Lender. Download the application: SBA PPP Loan Forgiveness Application

Loan Forgiveness

For the loan to be forgiven,  you must use at least 75% for payroll and no more than 25% for rent, mortgage interest or utilities, and you must use it within 8 weeks following the loan award, and you must use it before June 30, 2020.  Borrowers can choose which 8 weeks they want to count towards the covered period, which can start as early as February 15, 2020.

See our Frequently Asked Questions and other resources below for more information. 

Applications for the PPP will be processed through local banks. Contact your current bank first to see if they are able to accept your application.  

Other Resources: 

• Find an SBA approved lender near you.
• Lendistry is an approved SBA lender and and have a platform to apply for PPP. They do not require a prior relationship and are attempting to get back to all of their applicants within 48 hours.
  • Baltimore Nonprofits and Businesses: The city has teamed up with Goldman Sachs for a loan program. Find the application for the program here. 
• How to calculate Business Loan Types from the SBA can be found here.

• Before applying, find this checklist to help you complete the application. 
• Application for Borrowers
• Application for Lenders

• FAQ Sheet from Maryland Nonprofits
• PPP FAQs Fact Sheet from the Small Business Association and the Department of the Treasury (updated 5/13/2020)
• How Does Payroll Tax Deferral Work Under the Cares Act?

The Governor of the State of Maryland has proclaimed a State of Emergency and a catastrophic health emergency related to COVID-19.  On March 12, 2020, an order was issued extending state licenses and registrations until 30 days after the State of Emergency and catastrophic health emergency is terminated. Find more information. 

• Guidance for Small Businesses and Nonprofits
• Maryland Business Relief Wizard
• Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund Programs for Businesses

   
   

COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund – Additional funding is now available through the Maryland Department of Labor COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund, and nonprofits are eligible to apply. Businesses undergoing financial stresses due to the pandemic can apply for up to $50,000 in flexible and customizable funding to maintain their workforce. Applications are currently being accepted and the program will remain open through 30 days after the State of Emergency ends or until funding has been fully exhausted. Learn more.

• Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19 and Maryland’s Unemployment Insurance Benefits Administration
• Division of Unemployment Insurance

RELATED: 

• City of Annapolis has summarized federal and state Workforce Assistance resources.
• City of Annapolis has summarized federal and state Small Business Relief resources.
• National Unemployment Law Project summarizes Unemployment Insurance Provisions in the CARES Act.
• National Council of Nonprofits Blog on Self-Insured Nonprofits and Unemployment Insurance

• General Coronavirus Information
• Request PPE from the Department of Health
• Resources for Healthcare Facilities
• Behaviorial Health FAQ, as of March 27, 2020:
  • FAQ – Behavioral Health Administration Partners
  • FAQ – Opioid Treatment Programs
  • FAQ – Telehealth
• Guidance for Congregate Housing 
• Impacts of the Federal Public Health Emergency Extension Memo

• This page contains multiple resources, including HHS Relief Funding, clinician guidance, and a PPE Request form.
• Order supplies like masks, gloves and hand sanitizer from Maryland manufacturers using the Maryland Manufacturing Network portal.

If your nonprofit organization is incorporated in Maryland and would like to discuss a legal matter with an attorney, please click here to sign up for brief legal advice and the Community Law Center will schedule a time for an attorney to talk with you.

If your nonprofit organization is in need of legal representation, please download the Community Law Center Application For Services and find out more information here: www.communitylaw.org/apply-for-services.

• Grab-and-Go Meals around the state for children under 18
• Maryland Department of Aging Press Release, March 16 on Senior Call Check
• Marylanders can also call 211 to receive information related to COVID-19. You can also sign up for text alerts by texting MDReady to 898211.
• Maryland Department of Transportation: Service updates from MDOT
• Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Fund
• Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation: Annual Report and Personal Property Tax Return Deadline Extended to July 15
• The Maryland Department of Education: Recovery Plan contains a wealth of information that can be used as a point of reference by school leaders, students, and school communities.

We are recording every webinar and providing the slides here. Bookmark this page so you don’t need to fill this out more than once! 

Candid has created a webpage with a summary of funds being distributed as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak as well as resources for your organization to find funding. 

Financial Assistance for DACA Recipients Amid the COVID-19 Crisis

Instrumentl is leveraging their grant discovery tools to aggregate all COVID-19 related grants for 501c3 nonprofits. Search for national, international, and Maryland-specific relief funds.

City of Annapolis has summarized the following state and national business resources for:

1. Workforce Assistance
2. Small Business Relief

The Nonprofit Relief Fund supports 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations in the Baltimore area that have seen unexpected expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Relief Fund is open to all Baltimore nonprofits with 501(c)3 status, including those who operate under a fiscal sponsor. Human services organizations will be prioritized. The Nonprofit Relief Fund is reimbursement only. This $5-million fund will grant awards up to $75,000. Join an info session at 5 PM on November 5 to learn more. Find the full RFP and more information here. The application deadline is November 20, 2020.

Additional funding is available through the Maryland Department of Labor COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund, and nonprofits are eligible to apply. Businesses undergoing financial stresses due to the pandemic can apply for up to $50,000 in flexible and customizable funding to maintain their workforce. Applications are currently being accepted and the program will remain open through 30 days after the State of Emergency ends or until funding has been fully exhausted. Learn more.

• The National Council of Nonprofits released an analysis of the Families First Act on March 19 and described the effect it will have on nonprofits. You can read it here.
• On March 31, NCN held a webinar on federal relief bills – you can find the links below:
  • Recording of webinar: “Federal Coronavirus Relief Bills: What Do They Mean for Nonprofits?
  • Slide deck from webinar: “Federal Coronavirus Relief Bills: What Do They Mean for Nonprofits?”
  • This is a letter from nonprofits nationwide asking Congress to include us in any stimulus package they release related to this crisis. 

This Healthcare for the Homeless discusses needed policy responses for a high-risk group in monthly policy briefs: 

• Issue Brief, April 2020 
• Issue Brief, March 2020

On March 31, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service launched the Employee Retention Credit, designed to encourage businesses to keep employees on their payroll. The refundable tax credit is 50% of up to $10,000 in wages paid by an eligible employer whose business has been financially impacted by COVID-19. Learn more. 

• Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this interim guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available.
• Use of Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19
• Information for Travel: Information for travelers and travel related industries as it relates to COVID-19
• Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication
• Facts About COVID-19
• Interim Guidance for Responding to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) among People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness

• SAMHSA: Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health: Tips for Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation During an Infectious Disease Outbreak
• BHS: Anxiety, What You Need to Know 
  • COVID-19: Guide for Employees(for employees who may be experiencing a disruption to employment)
  • COVID-19: Guide for Supervisors(for supervisors who need support while dealing with disruptions to employment of their team members)
  • COVID-19: Managing Anxiety While Working Remotely
    • COVID-19: Working at Home with Kids
  • How to Cope with Discrimination

• American Society of Refrigerating Engineers: Position Document on Airborne Infectious Diseases
• US Traveler’s Association: Emergency Preparedness and Response: COVID-19
• US Department of Labor: Safety and Health Topics, COVID-19
• No Handshake Zone Sign: Out of an abundance of caution, at any essential meetings, we are enforcing a no handshake zone to prevent the spread of disease. Please feel free to use it as well.
• Guidance for NYS Office of Children and Family Services Programs: Information on how the NYS Office of Children and Family Services is adjusting their practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• American Academy of Pediatrics: Information as it relates specifically to children 
• Johns Hopkins: Coronavirus Resource Center
• American Institute for Research: Frequently Asked Questions in plain language

• XFinity Hot Spots
• TechSoup: Nonprofit Resources for Remote Work
• Move Minneapolis: Work from Home Webinar
• Free Conferencing Tools:
  • Google and Microsoft are offering their conferencing tools free-of-charge for a limited time.
  • GoToMeeting is also offering their remote work tools free for three months.
  • Webinar from Slack on working remotely
  • Zoom: Has a free option 
    • Learn to use Zoom in 5 minutes
• Society for Human Resource Management Blog: If You Never Worked from Home Before, Here are 10 Suggestions #Coronavirus
• NTEN: 9 best practices for engagement in virtual meetings
• Fast Company: Working from home? 7 smart tips to help you get more done

The Standards for Excellence Institute has made their Administrative Policies Educational Packet, Guide to Remote Work, and Crisis and Disaster Planning Resources free during this time. 

• One-pager from Maryland Nonprofits on remote gatherings.
• Maryland Nonprofits Model Board Resolution.
• BoardSource: What Nonprofit Board Members Should Be Doing Right Now to Address the COVID-19 Situation.
• This document provides an overview of Maryland law related to voting rights for nonprofit board members and nonprofit general members (such as in a membership organization or association). The document outlines proxy voting rights, and addresses why it is not appropriate or consistent with Maryland law to allow proxy voting by members of the board of directors (assigning your vote to someone else) and how proxy voting in membership organizations by members (not board members) is permitted.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a time of stress and extreme market conditions for small businesses, nonprofits, and startups. The Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship’s Loyola Crisis Navigators is a volunteer team we’ve brought together to advise you in these uncertain times. Learn more.

15 Job Burnout Statistics Article

The Girl Scouts of Central Maryland have set up Virtual Badge Workshops, with science experiments and art projects for every day of the week while children are home from school.

House of Ruth Maryland remains committed to providing services to victims of intimate partner violence.

House of Ruth Maryland’s 24-hour hotline and emergency shelter will remain open.  Protective and Peace Order protections are also still available through Court Commissioners.  For immediate assistance, contact 410-889-7884 and you can find information on additional services available at www.hruth.org/covid.

Visit this page to find ways to give and get help in Baltimore. 

Maryland Citizens for the Arts has created a page to 1) share ways people can help artists/art organizations during this time and 2) collect resources for artists and art organizations.

In addition to food resources, St. Francis Neighborhood Center in Baltimore is providing students out of school with laptops so they can complete their work during this extended closure period. 

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread, more businesses, schools, and individuals are encouraged to avoid crowded places. The effects of this are hardest felt by some of Baltimore City’s most vulnerable residents. Volunteering Untapped has created a page for organizations to ask for help and for people to find organizations to volunteer at. It also includes resources for the Baltimore COVID-19 Food Security Fund and the American Red Cross.