We know many of you are thinking every day how to make sure your business survives during this unforeseeable time.
Here are a few opportunities that may be of great support to you:
INVEST ATL
The City capitalized a $1.5m loan fund to support small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 economic disruption. The basic terms of the loan from Invest Atlanta are: 0% interest, 6-12 month deferment, 5-year payment term, and the range of loans will be $5,000-$30,000.
Be sure to watch the 12-minute video, as it walks you through the process. Reach out to bclf@investatlanta.com if you have any questions.
https://www.investatlanta.com/business-continuity-loan-fund
ESSENCE + Pine-Sol
ESSENCE + Pine-Sol™ are partnering to offer a $100,000 Legacy Award to help champion Black women and the entrepreneurial spirit. To enter you must have a registered business (LLC, Inc, etc). Apply here by April 15th: https://www.essence.com/yourlegacy/
SBA GRANT
The SBA works directly with state governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the Covid-19. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program offers small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/
Kabbage
Gift certificates to support small businesses
With the current impacts to the economy, Kabbage wants to make sure there are ways to help local entrepreneurs. Through Kabbage Payments™, any business can sign up to sell gift certificates online, and anyone can purchase them to support participating small businesses.
https://www.kabbage.com/helpsmallbusiness
JP Morgan Chase Repayable Loan
$50 million global philanthropic commitment to address the immediate public health and long-term economic challenges from the COVID-19 global pandemic. Of the initial $15 million released,thefirm will promptly deploy $8 million,$5 million in the U.S., to support vulnerable and underserved Black, Hispanic and Asian Pacific Islander owned small businesses that may struggle to access capital and keep their doors open.
https://certifiedgoldexchange.com/jpmorgan-chases-philanthropic-commitment-to-address-challenges-created-by-covid-19/
Zapier Small Business Assistance Program
Zapier is creating a $1 million small business assistance program for businesses with 10 employees or fewer, a solo entrepreneur, privately owned business, businesses impacted by “social distancing” in an outsized way (the tourism, food service, hospitality, salon and spa, fitness, and education industries are some examples). Criteria: the small business is Zapier customer. Small businesses in need can qualify for a free 3-month credit for a Starter plan.
Fill out this form: https://zapier.wufoo.com/forms/zapier-small-business-assistance-program/
Square
Square is refunding all software subscription fees for the month of March for existing sellers who currently use Square Appointments, Retail, Restaurants, Loyalty, Team Management, Payroll, Marketing, and Square Online Store. Square will manage the process for you—there’s no need to do anything. Additional product updates are also in the works. You can use their just released curbside pickup option through Square Online Store, and we will release a local delivery feature this week. They are also waiving curbside pickup and delivery fees for the next three months.
https://squareup.com/us/en/l/immediate-support-response
Google
Google is always looking out and is offering Free access to their advanced Hangouts Meet video-conferencing capabilities, as you’re adjusting your work-from-home policies in response to COVID-19 (you don’t have to be an educational institution to take advantage of the offering).
Primer Lessons
Primer lessons are a wealth of resources. Click on this link to have greater access to the 411 on opening, starting, scaling a business:
https://www.yourprimer.com/en/lesson-catalog/0#skill-bizplan
US Chambers
Has provided 5 Ways to Retain Your Customers during the Coronavirus Outbreak
“Many small businesses have been concerned with losing the connection with their customers. Social distancing, while good for public health, is bad for small businesses. Foot traffic has dropped steeply since the coronavirus outbreak as more and more customers stay home and self-quarantine. Many business owners are worried that the impact of COVID-19 will be deeper and more long-lasting than anticipated. As a result, merchants in every industry are looking for ways to keep their customers during the coronavirus lockdown. Here are some tips to keep your employees and customers engaged from a distance.” Read more here
https://www.uschamber.com/co/grow/customers/customer-retention-during-coronavirus
Gusto
In light of the pandemic, federal, state, and local governments, along with private entities, are mobilizing to provide economic relief as businesses and workers enter a period of uncertainty. Gusto has compiled a comprehensive list of public and private loans, grants, and financial support programs aimed at small businesses:
https://gusto.com/blog/business-finance/coronavirus-relief-resources