Small Business and Non-Profit Financial Support Resources

 Here are available options for small businesses and non-profits in need of financial support due to the COVID-19 impact.  

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan Applications Re-opened

$8 Million Loan Fund to Assist Local Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

EZ and Revised Full Forgiveness Applications for the Paycheck Protection Program

EZ Forgiveness Application

Full Forgiveness Application

 On June 17, in addition to revising the full forgiveness application, the Small Business Administration published a new EZ version of the forgiveness application that applies to borrowers that:

• Are self-employed and have no employees; OR
• Did not reduce the salaries or wages of their employees by more than 25%, and did not reduce the number or hours of their employees; OR
• Experienced reductions in business activity as a result of health directives related to COVID-19, and did not reduce the salaries or wages of their employees by more than 25%.

The EZ application requires fewer calculations and less documentation for eligible borrowers. Both applications give borrowers the option of using the original 8-week covered period (if their loan was made before June 5, 2020) or an extended 24-week covered period. These changes will result in a more efficient process and make it easier for businesses to realize full forgiveness of their PPP loan.

 5/26/20 New York Forward Loan Fund 

NYFLF is providing working capital loans so that small businesses, nonprofits and small landlords have access to credit as they reopen. These loans are available to small businesses, nonprofits, and small landlords that did not receive a loan from either the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for COVID-19 in 2020.  The loans are not forgivable in part or whole.  The loans will need to be paid back over a 5-year term with interest.

 5/20/20 Webinar: I Received My PPP Loan-Now What?

 5/1/20 COVID-19 SMALL BUSINESS CONTINUITY GRANT PROGRAM

The COVID-19 Small Business Continuity Grant Program is intended to help businesses keep their employees and stay afloat during a time of economic hardship due to the impacts of COVID-19. Businesses are encouraged to apply for this funding to help make payroll, to pay bills and to keep their operations going. This Program will be administered by the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region and allocated in accordance with program guidelines and a scoring matrix approved by the donors to the Program. This Program is meant to bridge the gap for a brief financial hardship period. Eligibility: small businesses with a physical commercial storefront located in the service area or independent contractor/gig worker based in the service area, Albany County and surrounding Capital Region. Click on link for more information.

 4/21/20-National Endowment for the Arts CARES Act Funding for Cultural Non-Profits

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has new grant guidelines designed to rapidly distribute CARES Act funding to cultural nonprofits affected by COVID 19. This new funding opportunity, NEH CARES: Cultural Organizations, will provide grants of up to $300,000 to sustain humanities organizations and preserve jobs in the cultural sector. NEH will award grants to museums, libraries and archives, historic sites, independent research institutions, professional organizations, colleges and universities, and other cultural organizations across the country to help these entities continue to advance their mission.  The deadline to apply is May 11, 2020. Please click on the link above for more information.

Here are programs/resources that can be considered for possible loan options

 Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security (CARES) Act.   There are two components of the CARES Act-

The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) 

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) 

PPP Application

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) can provide assistance via remote advisors. Please visit www.nyssbdc.org to make an online request for counseling.   

Further guidance for Non-profit Organizations on EIDL and PPP.

List of SBA 7a Lenders

 Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program.  Information here.  Once the loan application is approved, there is a possibility to have as much as a $25,000 advance.                                            

 SBDC’s Economic Disaster Loan Program Information Session

(Video courtesy of Saratoga County Chamber)

Express Bridge Loan. These can be done through a local bank that is a SBA approved lender.  A business can apply for this if they already have an existing relationship with the bank, so they should check with their current lender. Information here.

SBA Debt Relief 

Local banks can also address on a case by case basis, whether it’s extending a line of credit or business loan.  These are traditional loans. 

More details, requirements and restrictions for these programs should be discussed with your lender.  We hope this will be of some help to you and look forward to your businesses being back up and running as usual in the near future.

An option for self-employed individuals  is to consider applying for unemployment through the New York State Department of Labor. Here is a link to a guide to advise you on how to make such an application.