As we continue to learn more about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and how it’s impacting communities across the country and around the world, the Center is here to support nonprofits with updates and resources to help you take steps to safeguard your employees, operations, and NC communities (We're also heeding health and government officials' advice and taking precautions ourselves.) If you know of or have a resource to share, please let us know.
NC Nonprofits and COVID-19 Survey: We're updating this survey so responses will better help the Center, private funders, and governments at all levels know your needs and be in the best position to provide assistance to your nonprofit and those you serve as we navigate the challenges of COVID-19 containment and response. From preliminary responses, we've complied a Summary of Needs Expressed by Nonprofits (as of 3/24/2020) and the Center's suggestions on state policies that can help nonprofits with COVID-19 recovery.
Updates on COVID-19
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
World Health Organization (WHO)
North Carolina Chamber of Commerce
General Information
Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), February 2020 (CDC)
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Response in North Carolina (NCDHHS) Information, resources, and tips on how to prepare and respond to widespread illness (for individuals, families, businesses, employers, schools, health care providers, and community service facilities)
Nonprofits and Coronavirus, COVID-19 (National Council of Nonprofits) Current information and resources that nonprofits can use to prepare and respond
OpenWHO The World Health Organization’s interactive, web-based, knowledge-transfer platform offering online courses to improve the response to health emergencies
Coronavirus Information and FAQs (Society for Human Resource Management)
COVID-19 Current News and Information and Frequently Asked Questions (NC 2-1-1)
COVID-19: Five Things to Know and Do (Nonprofit Risk Management Center) Tips to help your organization hone your crisis management skills to offset an infectious disease crisis
CDC Foundation Has COVID-19 Guidelines for Nonprofits (The NonProfit Times)
Stay at Home - What it Means for Nonprofits (North Carolina Center for Nonprofits) Gov. Cooper issued an executive order directing North Carolinians to stay at home for 30 days, effective March 30
Government Response and Guidelines
Coronavirus Tax Relief (Internal Revenue Service) Updates, FAQs, and guidance
Payroll Tax Credits (U.S. Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, U.S. Department of Labor) For paid sick leave and Family and Medical Leave Act
SBA Emergency Loans Guidance and available loans (see additional finanical resources below)
Unemployment Benefits (NC Division of Employment Security) Guidance and steps for employers and laid off employees
Unemployment Benefits Application (NC Division of Employment Security)
NC Tax Relief (NC Department of Revenue)
Health and Safety Resources
NC 2-1-1 Get connected to resources in your community
Protecting Workers During a Pandemic (OSHA)
Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) Information about pandemic planning in the workplace
Get Your Workplace Ready for Pandemic Flu (CDC) Guidance for workers to help slow the spread of illness and for workplaces to develop new contingency plans or modify existing emergency operations plans that reflect considerations specific to your workplace setting and community
When May Employers Require Workers to Self-Quarantine? (Society for Human Resource Management) When and where can employers draw the line for workers to stay away from the workplace after travelling
Public Policy Resources
COVID-19 Policy Responses (North Carolina Center for Nonprofits) How state government can support nonprofits before and after COVID-19
Nonprofit Provisions in the CARES Act (North Carolina Center for Nonprofits) Key provisions in the third federal stimulus bill include a forgivable loan program for nonprofits with fewer than 500 employees, expanded unemployment assistance for workers, partial UI support for self-insured nonprofits, a (limited) universal charitable deduction, and a variety of appropriations that support the work of nonprofits
State and Federal Policy Responses to the COVID-19 Virus (NC Policy Watch) Key state and federal policy responses to the COVID-19 virus
The Charitable Sector: COVID-19 Relief and Economic Stimulus Package (National Council of Nonprofits) Nonprofits nationwide, on behalf of the sector, sent a letter to legislators requesting $60 billion to help the most vulnerable during this crisis
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources for States (National Conference of State Legislators) Information and knowledge to guide state action
Business Continuity Resources
Small Business Resilience Toolkit (Facebook) Framework for organizations that may not have the time or resources to create an extensive plan to recover from business interruptions
No Business Continuity Plan? Take These 4 Steps (Nonprofit Risk Management Center) Quick-start framework to activate when your nonprofit is currently facing an interruption to operations
Eight Steps for Managing Through Tough Times (Bridgespan) Steps that can help nonprofits weather economic uncertainty
Sustainability to Survivability: 5 Nonprofit Finance Must-Do’s in the Time of COVID (Nonprofit Quarterly) As organizations struggle to maintain operations, payrolls, or both while revenue is decreasing, there are steps they can take to increase likelihood of success
Mergers, Collaborations, and Strategic Alliances (National Council of Nonprofits) Consider the benefits and challenges of re-aligning resources, collaborating to increase efficiencies, or entering into a formal strategic alliance with another nonprofit(s)
Nonprofit Mergers and Acquisitions: More Than a Tool for Tough Times (The Bridgespan Group) When implemented strategically, mergers and acquisitions can be a way to strengthen organizations' effectiveness, spread best practices, expand reach, and do it all more cost-effectively
The M Word: A Board Member’s Guide to Mergers (CompassPoint) Practical guide to help nonprofit board members, executives, and funders think through a merger
Communication Resources
Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CDC) Plans, resources, and tools for communicating before, during, and after a public health crisis
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Crisis Communication Best Practices for Nonprofits (Prosper Strategies)
Coronavirus Crisis Comms Triage Kit (The Communications Network) Best practices, resources, and examples of effective crisis communications from foundations and nonprofits
Employee Benefits and Human Resources
FAQs on the Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Extended Family and Medical Leave Provisions in FFCRA (Lisa Gordon Stella, Durham attorney who provides pro bono services through the Center) Q&A on emergency paid sick leave and extended Family and Medical Leave employer mandates and tax credits in the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act (enacted 3/18/20)
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers (U.S. Department of Labor)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Workplace: Legal and Regulatory Considerations (HUB International) Guidance to help employers understand the legal and regulatory considerations associated with responding to illness in the workplace (including but not limited to the Coronavirus)
Know Your Rights: Your Employment and COVID-19 (Pisgah Legal) Facts on paid leave, unemployment insurance, and safe work
COVID-19 and the Fair Labor Standards Act Questions and Answers (U.S. Department of Labor)
COVID-19 and the Family and Medical Leave Act Questions and Answers (U.S. Department of Labor)
Self-Insured Nonprofits and Unemployment Insurance (National Council of Nonprofits) Policymakers should consider thoughtful policy solutions that address nonprofit-specific provisions in federal and state unemployment insurance laws
COVID-19 Unemployment Issues Affecting Nonprofits (North Carolina Center for Nonprofits) Some solutions that Congress and state governments are developing could lead to significant problems for some nonprofits and their employees
Are We Covered? Your Nonprofit’s Insurance Policies and COVID-19 Claims (Nonprofit Risk Management Center)
Event Management Resources
COVID-19: Is Your Event Covered? (Professional Convention Management Association) Make informed decisions regarding meetings and events and communicate appropriately with meeting vendors, attendees, and stakeholders
Key Planning Recommendations for Mass Gatherings in the Context of the Current COVID-19 Outbreak (WHO)
Coronavirus: What You Need to Know About Cancelling an Event and Liability Risks (EventMB)
Interpreting Force Majeure Clauses (Venable LLP) Knowing how to interpret a force majeure clause will help your organization make informed decisions about whether you will be able to cancel your meeting or event without liability
Your Spring Event Was Cancelled by COVID-19, Now What? (Institute of Net) Immediate actions on what to do to cancel your event, salvage its value, and reschedule moving forward
Financial Resources
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program The Small Business Administration in coordination with state governors will provide low-interest (2.75%) loans to up to $2 million to nonprofits impacted by COVID-19
Rapid Response Fund of the United Way of the Greater Triangle Funding for Greater Triangle-area nonprofits providing emergency support for food, hygiene, childcare, and housing assistance during times of area-wide crisis
NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan Program of The Golden LEAF Foundation Loans for eligible nonprofits and businesses for up to $50,000 with zero interest and no payments for six months
Emergency and Disaster Response Fund of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina Funding for human service organizations in WNC counties in addressing basic needs that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic
COVID-19 Response Fund of the United Way of Henderson County and Community Foundation of Henderson County Providing flexible resources to 501(c)(3) organizations in the WNC region working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by coronavirus and the related economic consequences
COVID-19 Response Fund of United Way of Central Carolinas and Foundation For The Carolinas Funding for Charlotte-Mecklenburg nonprofits assisting people most affected by the Coronavirus
COVID-19 Response Fund of United Way of Forsyth County and The Winston-Salem Foundation Providing flexible resources for immediate, emerging, and long-term needs to Forsyth County organizations working with communities who are disproportionately impacted by coronavirus and the economic consequences of the outbreak
COVID-19 Rapid Response Grants of The Outer Banks Community Foundation Funding for nonprofits that provide vital services to the Outer Banks through the Coronavirus crisis
Fundraising Resources
8 Steps for Successful Fundraising During the Coronavirus Crisis (Amy Eisenstein)
How Nonprofits Can Connect Virtually During Trying Times (Clairification) Virtual ways nonprofits can connect with supporters
Coronavirus Fundraising & Donor Relations Tactics (Bloomerang) Things your nonprofit can do to remain steadfast as you navigate fundraising and donor relations during the coming months
Fundraising in Tough Times (Stanford Social Innovation Review) How to survive in a challenging economy
Technology Resources
How to Create an Effective Teleworking Program (Society for Human Resource Management)
Considerations for a Remote Work Policy (Society for Human Resource Management)
Remote Workers and Telecommuting Practices for Nonprofits (National Council of Nonprofits)
Remote Working: Setting Yourself and Your Teams Up for Success (LinkedIn) Free 16-course e-learning series
The Remote Option: Smart Technology for Creating Virtual Teams (Idealware) To support a virtual team, an organization has to think differently about operations and technology
Free or Low-Cost Telecommuting Resources
Nonprofit Resources for Remote Work During the COVID-19 Outbreak (TechSoup) Resources (most of which are free) that can be implemented relatively quickly and with little to no external IT support
DropBox Free Dropbox Business and HelloSign Enterprise subscriptions for 3 months to nonprofits focused on fighting COVID-19
Emergency Remote Work Kits (LogMeIn) Free, organization-wide use of many LogMeIn products for 3 months
Google Free access to Hangouts Meet, which allows up to 250 participants and live streaming up to 100,000 viewers per domain, and G-suite until July 1, 2020
Jamm Free platform for voice and video collaboration for teams working remotely (integrates with Slack)
Loom Video recording and sharing service offering boosts to free service plan, discounted prices on LoomPro, and free access for educational institutions through July 1, 2020
Microsoft 365 Free 6 month trial of Microsoft 365 E1, with web-based Office apps and business services including email, file storage and sharing, meetings, and instant messaging
QuickBooks Accounting and budgeting software at a discount for nonprofits through TechSoup (desktop and online platforms available)
Quip (Salesforce) Free use of platform for remote teams to work collectively on documents, spreadsheets, and chat (for current Salesforce users only)
Slack Free upgrades to paid plans for teams working on coronavirus pandemic research, response, or mitigation
Zoom Online video and web conferencing platform at a discount for nonprofits through TechSoup. Center Members get a deeper discount through our money-saving partnership.