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.
UPDATE! NC Nonprofits and COVID-19 Survey (en español): We’ve partnered with the Office of the NC Secretary of State and Strategic Partnerships office at the NC Office of State Budget and Management to update our COVID-19 Impact and Support Survey. Please take the survey and share it with other nonprofit leaders in your community to help us understand what COVID-19 related needs are most pressing in North Carolina and how they’ve changed since March. To connect nonprofits to the right resources, responses will be publicly available and shared among coalition, philanthropic, and government leaders.
From the March responses, here's the initial 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.
Quick Links
Updates on COVID-19
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) en español
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
World Health Organization (WHO) en español
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)
Nonprofits and Coronavirus, COVID-19 (National Council of Nonprofits) Information and resources that nonprofits can use to prepare and respond
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
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 COVID-19 Relief Legislation (North Carolina Center for Nonprofits) Key provisions that affect nonprofits in two state COVID-19 relief bills including appropriations, unemployment relief, regulatory flexibility, health care assistance, small business loans, and immunity for essential businesses
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act CARES Act (National Council of Nonprofits) Analysis of what's in the bill for nonprofits and other significant provisions
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 (in Spanish) Guidance and available loans (see additional finanical resources below)
Paycheck Protection Program Information, Updated FAQs, and Application Form (U.S. Department of the Treasury)(see additional finanical resources below)
If you have applied for a PPP loan, please share your experience – positive or negative. The National Council of Nonprofits and partners from across the country are collecting stories and data to ensure the program is running as it should. If you experienced any problems, report what happened so they can identify any patterns of problems and propose fixes – informal and formal – at the appropriate spots. Your information will help inform if further advocacy is needed to ensure nonprofits have the resources they need to continue serving their communities.
Unemployment Benefits (NC Division of Employment Security) Guidance and steps for employers and laid off employees
Unemployment Benefits Application (NC Division of Employment Security)
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (NC Division of Employment Security) Guidance for people who are unable to work as a direct result of COVID-19 and are not eligible for regular state unemployment benefits, such as independent contractors or self-employed workers
NC Tax Relief (NC Department of Revenue)
Coronavirus Response: Guide to New Federal Resources (Office of Representative David Price) Summary of select programs and emergency aid provided by the federal government in response to the coronavirus pandemic (for state and local government, local elected officials and their constituents, business owners, nonprofits, and other stakeholders)
COVID-19 Resource Guide (Office of Representative David Price) List of resources at the federal, state, and county levels available to assist individuals through the Coronavirus pandemic
Coronavirus Emergency Loans Guide and Checklist for Small Businesses and Nonprofits (U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation)(see additional finanical resources below)
COVID-19 and Public Charge Rule (NC Justice Center) Video explanations of the public charge rule and how it's affected by the Coronavirus crises, and information about immigrant access to health care in times of emergency (in English and Spanish)
Health and Safety Resources
NC 2-1-1 Get connected to resources in your community. This service also available in Spanish.
Protecting Workers During a Pandemic (OSHA) en español
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 (en español)
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
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Employee Resource Guide (Marsh & McLennan Agency)
Public Policy Resources
Recommendations for State Policy Solutions (North Carolina Center for Nonprofits) How state government can support nonprofits during and after the COVID-19 crisis
Nonprofit letter to NC Congressional Delegation (North Carolina Center for Nonprofits) Letter from 461 NC nonprofits seeking four policy solutions in CARES Act 2.0 to provide relief to nonprofits and the communities they serve
Comments to NC House COVID-19 Working Groups Please also share comments with the Center at dheinen@ncnonprofits.org
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 COVID-19 Relief Legislation (North Carolina Center for Nonprofits) Key provisions that affect nonprofits in two state COVID-19 relief bills including appropriations, unemployment relief, regulatory flexibility, health care assistance, small business loans, and immunity for essential businesses
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 Center Network of North Carolina Providing free counseling on loan requests, business plans, general startup questions, marketing, sales, and more as organizations navigate challenges associated with COVID-19
COVID-19 Small Business/Nonprofit Initiative (NC Pro Bono Resource Center) Providing free 45-minute consultations to organizations with less than 25 employees on COVID-19 related legal issues
Preparing Your Business for a Post-COVID-19 World (Brooks Pierce) It's time to shift from disaster response – making it through the immediate needs of the COVID-19 crisis and related shutdown – to plans for long-term business operations in the new normal
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
What Nonprofit Board Members Should Be Doing Right Now to Address the COVID-19 Situation (BoardSource)
Governing In a Time of Crisis: 10 Actions for Boards (Propel Nonprofits)
Cashflow Projection and Scenario Planning Tools (Nonprofit Finance Fund) Video walk-throughs and resources
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)
Retirement and Other Savings Plan Updates Provided in CARES Act (Retirement Plan Advisor Search)
Key CARES Act Provisions Affecting Retirement Plan Partcipants and Plan Sponsors (American Retirement Association)
What the Families First Coronavirus Response Act Means to Nonprofits (National Council of Nonprofits)
Coronavirus Update for Employers (Marsh & McLennan Agency) Summary of recent actions taken by federal and state governments affecting employer-provided health benefits and other related issues
Employer's Guide to Addressing COVID-19 (Marsh & McLennan Agency) Summary of government response, testing and treatment, communication with employees, care and wellbeing resources, and coverage considerations
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
Loans Available for Nonprofits in the CARES Act (Public Law 116-136) (National Council of Nonprofits) Comparison chart on the CARES Act loan options, eligibility criteria, terms, and applications
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (Application Overview and EIDL Application) 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. This program includes the Economic Injury Disaster Advance Loan with funds - $1,000 per employee up to $10,000 max - available within three days of a successful application; this loan advance will not have to be repaid.
Paycheck Protection Program FAQ and Information and Application Form (U.S. Department of the Treasury)
If you have applied for a PPP loan, please share your experience – positive or negative. The National Council of Nonprofits and partners from across the country are collecting stories and data to ensure the program is running as it should. If you experienced any problems, report what happened so they can identify any patterns of problems and propose fixes – informal and formal – at the appropriate spots. Your information will help inform if further advocacy is needed to ensure nonprofits have the resources they need to continue serving their communities.
Coronavirus Emergency Loans Guide and Checklist for Small Businesses and Nonprofits (U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation)
How the federal stimulus package can help your nonprofit: the Paycheck Protection Program (Empower Success Corps) Step-by-step instructions and necessary payroll information to apply for PPP
Applying for SBA Loans? (Together SC) Helpful guidance and quick links for EIDL and PPP
Coronavirus Relief Options and FAQs (U.S. Small Business Administration) Clarification and quick links for financial relief options, including EIDL and PPP
COVID-19 Public Assistance (FEMA and NC Division of Emergency Management) State and local governments and certain private nonprofits are eligible for federal funds to help with the costs of responding to and recovering from disasters. Eligible organizations must register with NCDEM and complete one briefing.
FEMA Reimbursement Tutorial Series (NC Division of Emergency Management) An online series of tutorials that provide helpful information about the FEMA reimbursement process and FEMA Grants Portal
Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program Local Boards in each jurisdiction will award funding to eligible human services organizations that provide food, shelter, and supportive services (see allocations by county). Submit an application by May 29 to the local board in your community.
Key Federal Funding Available for Health Care Providers and Hospitals to Address COVID-19 (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
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
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
Virus Relief Fund of United Way of Greater Greensboro Funding for local 501(c)(3) organizations providing services aligned with priority areas to individuals directly impacted by Coronavirus
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
COVID-19 Relief Fund of NC Council on Developmental Disabilities Funding for one-time, time-limited projects to assist in filling gaps in services or activities that people with intellectual or other developmental disabilities are experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic
NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loans Loans through Mountain BizWorks up to $50,000 based on organization’s current revenue – intended as bridge loan financing until organizations can access SBA Disaster or other federal disaster funding
Emergency COVID-19 Funding Sources (Resourceful Communities, The Conservation Fund) Emergency funding available in North Caroliina to respond to the effects of COVID-19 - includes national, statewide, regional, local, and by sector
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
Navigating the Crisis (Apparo) Information and tools to support nonprofits as they pivot to work and serve remotely
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
Internet Service Providers Offering COVID Crisis Assistance (HighSpeedInternet.net) After the initial COVID-19 outbreak, the FCC developed the Keep Americans Connected Pledge. Here are major US internet service providers offering support to those financially impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
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.