Photo: Smith House Photography
We know every small business is being affected by the COVID-19 crisis right now, and our team at Create & Cultivate is here to help. Our mission—and our passion—is to help people create and cultivate the careers of their dreams, so quite frankly, there’s no better opportunity for us to be of service than right now.
In order to help small business owners navigate this uncertain time, we’ve compiled a list of relief resources and basic information for how to confront the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re seeking a low-interest loan, needing to pause your student loan debt, or looking to apply for a small business grant, we’ve tracked down resources to help you do just that.
If You’re Seeking a Low-Interest Loan…
The Resource: U.S. Small Business Administration SBA Disaster Assistance
The Details: “The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in all U.S. states and territories.
These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.
SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.”
How to Apply: Apply for assistance here.
The Resource: Kiva
The Details: "Kiva lenders have shown their commitment to providing financial assistance to all by making 0% interest loans to entrepreneurs in the U.S. on Kiva.org for the last 10 years.
In today's difficult circumstances, we'd like to make it as easy and impactful as possible for small businesses in the U.S. to have access to affordable capital on the Kiva platform—capital that may be the difference between shutting down and keeping their doors open.
Effective immediately, U.S. applicants for a Kiva loan will have access to the following: Expanded eligibility: More businesses in the US will be eligible for a Kiva loan; Larger loans: The maximum loan on the Kiva platform will increase from $10,000 to $15,000; Grace period: New borrowers may access a grace period of up to 6 months for greater financial flexibility.”
How to Apply: Apply for a loan here.
If You Want to Pause Your Student Loan Debt…
The Resource: Department of Education Federal Student Loan Relief
The Details: “If you’re having trouble making payments, contact your loan servicer as soon as possible. If you have a Federal Perkins Loan, contact your school. You can easily avoid the consequences of delinquency or default by staying in touch with your servicer or school.
Your servicer or school can provide information about deferment or forbearance options that allow you to temporarily stop making payments on your loans. You may also be able to change to a different repayment plan that would give you a lower monthly payment.”
How to Apply: Contact your loan servicer, or your school if you have a federal Perkins Loan.
If You Want to Apply for a Small Business Grant…
The Resource: Facebook Small Business Grants Program
The Details: “Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries where we operate. We’ll begin taking applications in the coming weeks. In the meantime, you can sign up to receive more information when it becomes available.“
How to Apply: Sign up to get updates about Facebook’s Small Business Grants Program here.
The Resource: Zapier Small Business Assistance Program
The Details: “Zapier is creating a $1 million small business assistance program for businesses to heavily impacted people who meet some combination of these criteria: You work in a business with 10 employees or fewer, or you're a solo entrepreneur, your business is privately owned, your business is impacted by "social distancing" in an outsized way (the tourism, food service, hospitality, salon and spa, fitness, and education industries are some examples), and you're a paying Zapier customer as of 3/20/2020. Small businesses in need can qualify for a free 3-month credit for a starter plan.”
How to Apply: Fill out this form.
The Resource: Bumble Loves Small Businesses
The Details: "Bumble is granting a number of small businesses up to $5K to help during this trying time. At this time, we are only accepting requests from small businesses and will verify all company registration numbers. If you’re not a small business owner, you can fill out this form to nominate a small business (or forward this link to them!).”
How to Apply: Fill out this application form.
The Resource: The GoFundMe.org Small Business Relief Fund
The Details: “The Small Business Relief Fund will provide one-time matching grants to qualifying small businesses to help alleviate the financial burdens during these pressing times. To qualify for a matching grant from the Small Business Relief Fund, the GoFundMe fundraiser must raise at least $500 and verify that your small business has been negatively impacted by a government mandate due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Your small business must be independently owned and operated, and must not be nationally dominant in your field of operation. Each recipient of the matching grant must intend on using the funds to help care for your employees or pay ongoing business expenses."
How to Apply: There are a few ways for small business owners to apply:
“Claim your fundraiser. Many small businesses will have a fundraiser automatically created for them through the Yelp platform. To claim this fundraiser and donations made to it, you can submit a request through the form above.”
“Start a new fundraiser. If you do not have a fundraiser already created for your business, you can start one now. In your fundraiser description, please make sure you add the hashtag #SmallBusinessRelief. Then fill out this form to confirm your small business.”
For more information and resources on how to navigate the coronavirus crisis as a small business:
Calculate how much you’ll get from the $1,200 (or more) coronavirus checks being provided by the U.S. government with this calculator tool from The Washington Post. Plus, learn when your check will arrive, and more.
Consider scrolling through this list of national and state-specific funds, grant, and resources for business owners grappling with coronavirus compiled by Forbes.
For rent assistance, scroll through this comprehensive list of how to get COVID-19 rent relief compiled by Investopedia.
It’s important to note, however, that even if your state has taken action to pause or suspend evictions, anywhere from 30 to 90 days, it does not relieve you of your obligation to pay your rent. It just forbids your landlord from evicting you during that period for late payment.
Subscribe to a special edition of Deloitte’s Resilient podcast series all about how businesses can confront the COVID-19 crisis.
Subscribe to Forbes free daily newsletter, Outbreak, for stories on the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on global business.
And head to our COVID-19 Content hub and follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram to tune in as we go live daily with experts in business, finance, and more in our Ask an Expert series daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST.
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