Resources for Organizations

CARES Act

On Friday, March 27, 2020, the President signed into law the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the largest emergency aid package in U.S. history. The CARES Act includes more than $2 trillion to help individuals and businesses struggling amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill includes a provision for $350 billion in Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. 501(c)(3) nonprofits with less than 500 employees are eligible for these loans. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, these loans are intended to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn.

To ensure that our communal institutions will be able to access these funds, we encourage you to consider applying and to take steps now to prepare for that.

For more information:

• JFNA has set up a national resource bank of professionals and volunteers who can assist institutions with this process. If you have questions, please email SBALoans@jewishfederations.org or call 212.284.6625.
• You can learn more about the loan program, find a list of qualified lenders, and find a useful guide to help crunch some numbers on JewishTogether.org.
• How Nonprofits Can Utilize the New Federal Laws Dealing with COVID-19 – Nonprofit Quarterly
• Peruse JFNA's virtual meetups calendar for events highlighting universal topics that affect nonprofits.

Potential Opportunity: Employee Retention Credit (ERC)

With so much media focus on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), we want to make sure that you are aware of other aspects of the CARES Act that may be available to your organization, such as the Employee Retention Credit (ERC). It is designed to encourage eligible employers to keep employees on their payroll, despite experiencing economic hardship related to COVID-19, and may be of benefit to organizations that do not anticipate being ready to recall furloughed employees by June 30. Employers who have received a Paycheck Protection Program loan may not claim the ERC. For more information and for eligibility requirements, see FAQs from the IRS.
 

Additional Federal Funding for Small Businesses

The Senate recently approved an additional $310 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), with an indication that it will be signed into law soon. As with the first round, these funds will likely exhaust quickly. The Treasury/SBA has issued new liquidity rules that increase uncertainty on the forgivability of the loans. Fortunately, our partner Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) is providing clarity and advocating for nonprofit borrowers. The SBA has updated their FAQs, effective May 13, 2020, which includes the following key points:

• A new, permanent “safe harbor” has been created for all PPP loans less than $2 million. These loans will not be subject to review based on the FAQ31 guidelines.
• As previously announced, PPP loans above $2 million will be subject to review. At that time, the borrower will have an opportunity to demonstrate that the criterion for receiving the loan was met. If the SBA determines that the standard was not met, the consequence is that the loan would not be forgiven, and the borrower would be required to repay the loan. If repayment is made, there would be no further enforcement action taken.

This very helpful clarification means that borrowers with loans under $2 million can rely entirely on their original certification of need. Borrowers with loans over $2 million do not need to take any action unless their loan comes up for review. For more information, review the slides from this week’s briefing.

Additionally, JFNA gave an update in early May on the Paycheck Protection Program. Review the recording and slides and see a detailed memo of issues discussed.

If you need assistance in preparing your organization for the process or being matched with a local bank who may be able to service your loan, do not hesitate to contact us.

In addition, Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) is now hosting regular Office Hours weekly on Thursdays at 10:00 am PDT to offer continued help with the Paycheck Protection Program.  The webinars are from June 4-25. 
FAQs linked here have been updated with new information and official guidelines on loan forgiveness.
 

Our Business Referral Community is Here to Help and Paycheck Protection Program Funds Available

The Federation’s Business Referral Community has volunteers available to help with pro-bono support for needs arising from the COVID-19 crisis. Areas of professional expertise include banking, finance, accounting, business planning, real estate lease negotiation, and employment law. And because Paycheck Protection Program funds are still available, we can connect you to a bank for loan application assistance. To be matched with a pro-bono volunteer, contact Jeanne Miller, Director of the Business Leadership Council, to be matched with a volunteer who can help meet your organization’s specific needs arising from the COVID-19 crisis.

JPAC Requests Emergency Funds for Frontline Nonprofit Service Providers

Through our partnership with JPAC, we supported a request to Governor Gavin Newsom and the California State Legislature for an allocation of emergency funds to frontline nonprofit service providers meeting needs related to COVID-19. In addition, JPAC highlighted our concerns about the recent increase in hate crimes and hate rhetoric against Jewish and Asian American communities. You can read the full letter here.

New Resilience Fund Assists Clergy in Providing Support to Community Members

With funding from the COVID-19 Response Fund, the Federation has established a new Resilience Fund for Synagogue Communities, recognizing the critical role that clergy in synagogues and Chabads play as first points of contact for people in distress in their communities. Clergy can request up to $500 per individual or family to match direct support to community members for basic needs, and up to $1,000 in match funding for projects providing community aid during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more and apply.

Support for Virtual Fundraising and Remote Work

Catchafire is a virtual volunteering platform that is currently offering free weekly webinars for all nonprofit and community organizations on building team culture while working virtually, fundraising in the time of COVID-19, and developing virtual fundraising events. Plus, Bay Area nonprofits can share ideas and access Catchafire experts on their shared Slack channel. See all of Catchafire’s COVID-19 resources.

Fundraising Resources in a Virtual Environment

Network For Good offers a “Free Fundraising Resources Library” accessible to all nonprofits. The fundraising library includes virtual fundraising toolkits and webinars on how to communicate digitally during a crisis. Access the Free Fundraising Resources Library.

Watch the Webinar: Is it Time? Reopening Roadmap for Jewish Organizations and Synagogues 04.21.2021

As California aims to fully reopen on June 15, many organizations and synagogues are already experimenting with in-person programs and services. While the desire to engage is strong, we know that a return to “normal” life will be gradual, with new practices and policies needed to protect our health and safety. This webinar illuminated considerations based on the current state of the pandemic and will highlight learnings from colleagues who have successfully entered a hybrid world.

Panelists:

• Dr. Robert Wachter, Professor and Chair, UCSF Department of Medicine and frequent host of the In the Bubble podcast
• Adam Eilath, Head of School, Wornick Jewish Day School
• Sally Flinchbaugh, Chief Operating Officer, Oshman Family JCC
• David Goldman, Executive Director, Congregation Emanu-El

Community Guidance on Reopening

The “Back to Business” White Paper released June 30, 2020, by the Secure Community Network (SCN) contains the recommendations and guidelines developed by their dedicated working group. SCN drew on the expert perspectives of national health and security professionals to develop guidance for reopening. Additional guidance documents produced by the working group include:

• Guidance for Resuming and Reopening Facilities
• Low-Cost/No-Cost Facility Security Guidance for Use in Reopening
• Emergency Operations Plan Template

Watch the Webinar: Planning for a Safe and Secure Reopening

A panel of experts discussed the factors and risks to consider for reopening our communal organizations and houses of worship. If you have questions that did not get answered during the webinar, two of our guest speakers are available to take your questions by email:

• Abby Browning (Office of Private Sector/ NGO Coordination, California Office of Emergency Services)
• John Melichar (Non-Profit and Faith-Based Organization Site Liaison, San Francisco Department of Public Health)

Webinar Resources

Here are some of the resources referenced in the webinar and the chat log that offer guidance applicable to reopening community organizations and houses of worship:

• CDC: Interim Guidance for Administrators and Leaders of Community- and Faith-Based Organizations to Plan, Prepare, and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• OSHA: Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
• SF Dept. of Public Health: Cleaning and other COVID-19 guidelines
• CA Dept. of Public Health: COVID-19 INDUSTRY GUIDANCE: Office Workspaces

On our Culture of Belonging resource page, you can find ideas and tools to help you find new ways to bring people together during this time of forced isolation.

Blog posts:

• Building Connection in Disconnecting Times, by Maia Tchetchik and Wendy Verba
• May No One Go Unseen: A Passover of Connection, by Wendy Verba  

Free 3-Month Emergency Remote Work Toolkits for Nonprofits

LogMeIn (which owns GoToMeeting and GoToWebinar) is offering nonprofits three free months of their online meetings, video conference, and remote desktop support products. Interested organizations should fill out this contact form on the LogMeIn website to learn more and apply for access.

Keeping Your Facility Safe During Closure

The Secure Community Network has compiled a helpful checklist of some simple, low-cost measures you can take to protect your facilities.

Organizational Crisis Response Webinars

Social impact strategy consultants Third Plateau have made available a recorded four-part webinar series that translates crisis response best practices for nonprofits looking to develop systems and strategies to respond, mitigate, and recover from the COVID-19 crisis. Sessions focus on rapid needs assessment, developing an emergency response plan, resiliency and risk monitoring, and leadership and equity in uncertain times. The webinar series is free for all nonprofits and can be taken at your own pace.

Conducting Zoom Calls with Confidence

Some people are going to great lengths to be anti-social by hijacking Zoom calls. Learn how to manage your Zoom settings and protect your calls with this guide from our Director of Jewish Community Security, Rafael Brinner.

Additional resources:

• Steps to keep your Zoom calls safe
• Secure Community Network best practices guide
• Zoom’s own guide is on its website, in addition to best practices for online classrooms
• ADL blog post on steps to take in a Zoom incident
• ADL also has a worthwhile webinar series Fighting Hate From Home

Cybersecurity

Cybercriminals are exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic by setting up bogus sites including one that pretends to be a coronavirus map – that delivers malware to your computer. Phishing scams are as prevalent as ever, so if you receive an email that doesn’t look right, or that is asking you to click on a link, send it to your organization's IT director.

CDC Info

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has periodic updates on COVID-19 and helpful guidance. The CDC’s advice on prevention focuses on hygiene, especially handwashing, and limiting contact with others if you are sick.

• Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities
• Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
• Guidance for Travel