Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources

**SCACED office is closed and our team is working remotely.**

We hope everyone is safe and healthy. We are facing a new norm as it relates to the Coronavirus Pandemic. We have previously been through natural disasters and economic downturns, but a health crisis is bringing on new challenges.  Gov. McMaster has closed all public K-12 schools and colleges in the state. The CDC is recommending no gatherings of more than 50 people for 8 weeks.  As we follow updates and advice from public health experts and officials we’ll update this page to provide our members as much resources and information as possible.

Below is a list of resources to help you, your organization, and your family navigate these unforeseen times.

Last updated on February 1, 2021

Small Business & Nonprofit Loan Resources

• Watch the recording of the first webinar of our 2-part PPP series sponsored by South State Bank. Learn about eligibility guidelines and documentation needed to apply for the third round of funding.

• The SBA released updated guidance on the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act.

• Paycheck Protection Program’s (PPP) loan forgiveness instructions and application

• Mosaic has launched a RFP to make $1 million of rapid response grants to non profits focused primarily on environmental protection and justice to fund tools & technology, training, and related resources needed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic

• Eat Smart Move More South Carolina’s COVID-19 Rapid Response Mini Grants for community-based orgs to serve as food distribution hubs

• National Council of Nonprofits guide to SBA loan options and their eligibility criteria, terms, and application information

• CommunityWorks’ step-by-step video of how to fill out the PPP application

• WellCare Community Connections Resource Grant is now open for applications - nonprofits only

• Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act passes U.S. House and Senate, expected to become law week of April 20. We urge our members to gather their information and have their application ready as soon as the bill becomes law.

• USDA’s Federal Rural Resource Guide organizing funding opportunities identified in the CARES Act and other federal resources to assist rural communities

• Goldman Sachs launched a $525 million small business stimulus package across two separate initiatives: $500 million in emergency small business loans and $25 million in grants to CDFIs

• Families First COVID-19 Constituent Resources Toolkit containing guidance for individuals and families, small and medium sized business, students and educators, Native Americans, and veterans

• Guidelines of City of Columbia’s Small Business Stabilization Forgivable Loan program

• Small business guide to the CARES Act

• The SBA has launched the Paycheck Protection Program, authorizing up to $349 billion towards job retention and other expenses for small businesses and nonprofits. To learn more click here.

• Kiva offering expanded eligibility, increased maximum amount, and longer grace period for small business loans

• The Small Business Administration announced updated criteria on states requesting Disaster Assistance Loans

• Summary of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, specific to the different sectors of the Community Economic Development Industry (HUD, Rural Development, SBA, Commerce, Corporate Relief, Individual Assistance, Unemployment, Disaster Relief, Healthcare, Education, Transportation, Veterans, etc.)

• Verizon and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation launch the Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund

• The Thryv Foundation is offering grants to small and medium sized businesses through its 2020 Small Business COVID-19 Program

• Opportunity Fund is providing grants and low-interest loans through its COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund

• Facebook is offering $100 million in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries through its Small Business Grants Program

• Bankrate’s resources for small businesses during COVID-19

CDCs & CDFIs

• Financial institutions will receive CRA consideration for community development activities as well as retail banking and lending services for low-and moderate-income individuals and communities. To view the full list of activities and more information, click here. Federal Reserve System FDIC, Office of the Comptroller General

• Guide to and Examples of CDBG Eligible Activities to Support Infectious Disease Response

• Coastal Community Foundation launches COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Fund

• List of South Carolina Food Banks and Farmers Markets by County

Education & Schools

• Coverage.com’s resources for families returning to school

• List of grab-and-go school meal sites in South Carolina

• Federal student loan interest rate set to 0% for at least 60 days

• SC Colleges to issue on-campus food, housing refunds amid coronavirus campus closures - The Post & Courier

Food, Health, & Housing

• List of Rental Assistance Programs funded by the CARES Act in South Carolina

• The Hispanic Alliance, in partnership with local Hispanic grocery stores, PASOs, and other community partners, is offering a free Canasta Básica to families in need due to COVID-19. The Canasta Básica is a list of products that include pantry items and other basic necessities. For more information call (864) 256-0760. Distribution starts Wednesday, June 3.

• SCThrive has launched a COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program in cooperation with SC Housing, providing up to $1,500 for rent in a one-time, lump-sum payment made directly to property owners

• Listen to a recording and view the slidedeck of our community housing forum with SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center

• MUSC launches clinic for free coronavirus testing in Columbia, no doctors note required - The Post & Courier

• USDA announces coronavirus food assistance program

• South Carolina will be providing emergency supplemental SNAP payments to households that do not currently receive their maximum allotment for their household size. Currently eligible SNAP recipients as well as newly-approved recipients will receive the maximum allotment for their household size in April and May. The supplemental payment will be deposited to each eligible recipient’s account up to 24 hours after the “regular” payment is deposited. If it has been more than 24 hours since you received your “regular” payment, contact the SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center and they will investigate with DSS. To learn more about the supplemental payments, view DSS’ press release here.

• Goldman Sachs’ $25 million COVID-19 relief fund for healthcare organizations and frontline responders

• List of South Carolina food pantries by city

• Find your Feed America local food bank

• Learn more on Meals on Wheels and their meal delivery to seniors

• For those struggling to pay rent, click here to learn more on the Rental Assistance program and how they can help in your area

• HUD and FHFA suspend evictions and foreclosures

• List of South Carolina Food Banks and Farmers Markets by County

• Resources for rural healthcare providers- SC Office of Rural Health

• Information on public benefits and food and health resources provided by South Carolina Legal Services

• SC Department of Health and Human Services to waive co-payments for all evaluation and management codes

• Duke Energy Suspends Disconnections

• After some faced displacement during outbreak, SC Chief Justice halts evictions statewide - The Post & Courier

• SC Appleseed Legal Justice Center’s list of resources for families, employees, and small businesses

Unemployment Benefits, Taxes, & BANKRUPTCY

• United Way of the Lowcountry’s VITA program is offering free tax preparation services in Beaufort and Jasper counties through the filing deadline of May 15, 2021. View the full list of dates & locations here.

• WesternShamrock’s guide for helping individuals and families handle emergency medical bills

• Upsolve’s guide on how to navigate bankruptcy filings during COVID

• IRS Get My Payment Tool helping track your direct deposit date of the Economic Stimulus payment

• BankOn Account Tool - if you don’t have a current bank account, check out this link to help set up a safe and affordable account to receive the Economic Stimulus payment and/or tax refund via direct deposit

• SC Department of Employment and Workforce’s (DEW) Q&A video on the unemployment filing process

• IRS extends federal income tax filing and payments deadline to July 15, 2020

• IRS launches People First Initiative among other means of relief in response to COVID-19

• Commonly asked questions on unemployment benefits

• How to find out if you’re eligible for unemployment insurance

Nonprofits

• Social media resources and recommendations for nonprofits in response to COVID-19- Facebook

• 10 Things Fundraisers Can Do From Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Examples of resilient responses from nonprofits in response to COVID-19

• Guidance on reducing COVID-19 transmission among employees and maintaining healthy business operations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Nonprofit resources for working remotely during the COVID-19 outbreak - Techsoup

• Communication Resources - Templates to Address Coronavirus from NP Strategy 

• Experts urge nonprofits to shore up reserves - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

• Nonprofit and foundation considerations from Vu Le - NonprofitAF

• 6 steps for grantmakers to take now to ensure nonprofits recover from coronavirus spread - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

• TogetherSC’s list of resources for non-profits, businesses, individuals, and families

Working from home tips

• How to work from home even if you don't have coronavirus - The Verge

• Make all Meetings Virtual for Free - 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. Zoom has a free option.

• CDC's fact sheets and posters to promote good hygiene

• Stay in the clear with this list of over 100 ready-to-use, dilute-able and wipeable biocidal products from The Center for Biocide Chemistries (CBC)

• MUSC is providing free tele-health coronavirus screenings with promo code "COVID19"

• List of over 100 ready-to-use, dilute-able and wipeable biocidal products from The Center for Biocide Chemistries (CBC)