COVID-19 Updates
News of coronavirus (COVID-19) is changing very quickly and we're hearing a lot about how it continues to impact our communities and others around the world. We've put together this webpage to help gather and share important updates, facts, and resources. We hope you're staying healthy and being kind to one another.
To help us understand the impact of COVID-19 on the sector and what resources and advocacy are needed to support New York's nonprofit sector through the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted two Pulse Polls. Our report on our Pulse Poll 1.0 and the impact of COVID-19 on New York Nonprofits is available here.
News and Updates
- House Passes the HEROES Act
- Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act
- Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (CARES 2.0)
- SBA Issues Updated Guidance and Borrower Application Form
- Department of Labor Guidance on Unemployment Insurance
- Nonprofit New York's Nonprofit Analysis of the Federal CARES Act
- Nonprofit COVID-19 Policy Roundup as of March 26, 2020
- Nonprofit COVID-19 Policy Roundup as of March 25, 2020
- Abatement of Penalties and Interest for Sales and Use Tax
- Mayor's Office of Contract Services
- DHS Relaxes Form I-9 Review Requirements
- COVID-19 national emergency
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act passes House, must still pass Senate
- COVID-19 federal appropriations
- CDC guidance against gatherings of 50 or more
- State COVID-19 emergency response
- State of emergency declared
- Ban on events of 500 people or more
- City emergency declared
- New York City schools closed
- Restaurants, movie theaters, and bars closing this week
- COVID-19 Guidance from City for contracted nonprofits
On May 15 the House of Representative passed the HEROES Act. Read our statement and analysis, where we've looked at how our Congressional recommendation fared in the HEROES Act. This bill faces significant challenges from the Senate and the following provisions in the HEROES Act are not law.
On May 12 the House of Representatives introduced the HEROES Act to expand access to the PPP for all nonprofits and include nonprofits in the Main Street Lending Program. Read the official summary. Read our statement on the HEROES Act. Read the National Councils' analysis of the HEROES Act.
On April 24 the President signed the $484 billion interim spending bill. A few hours later, the SBA Administration and Treasury announced in a joint release “The Small Business Administration will resume accepting PPP loan applications on Monday, April 27 at 10:30AM EDT from approved lenders on behalf of any eligible borrower. This will ensure that SBA has properly coded the system to account for changes made by the legislation.” The statement goes on to warn, “Borrowers should carefully review PPP regulations and guidance and the certifications required to obtain a loan.” That presumably is a reference to new guidance (FAQ #31) that says borrowers could commit fraud if their certification of need is later shown to be false.
On April 2 the Small Business Administration (SBA) issued an interim final rule explaining details about the Paycheck Protection Program that starts on April 3. The regulations address timely and recurring questions. Early on April 3, the SBA issued an updated Borrower Application Form to help prepare the information that will be requested from prospective borrowers.
On April 2 the Department of Labor issued guidance on Unemployment Insurance (UI) for states.
In a vote of 96-0, the United States Senate passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (S. 748) providing significant funding for businesses, hospitals, schools, social support programs, and nonprofits. We have received several inquiries asking for an analysis of the relief package and its impact on nonprofits. This is a summary of key provisions and nonprofit eligibility. The House of Representatives is expected to pass the bill tomorrow.
This updated Policy Roundup includes an analysis of the Senate CARES Act.
We know nonprofits are anxiously wondering how various government responses and relief efforts will impact their organizations. We’ve created a policy roundup of what we’ve been tracking so far, including federal, state, and city actions and pending legislation that will impact nonprofits. If there’s something we’ve missed, please email Policy Director Chai Jindasurat at cjindasursat[@]nonprofitnewyork.org.
On March 23 Governor Cuomo issued an executive order expanding the Tax Commissioner's authority to abate late filing and payment penalties. This will allow the Commissioner to abate interest on quarterly and annual sales and use tax filings and remittances with a due date of March 20, 2020, for those who were unable to timely file an pay as result of COVID-19.
On March 20 MOCS issued guidance for human services providers.
On March 20 the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it will defer the requirement for employers to review, in person, Form I-9 documents. The change applies only to those employers that have instituted remote work. The physical documentation review requirements will not be excused if any employees are physically present at a work location.
On March 13 the President declared a national emergency in response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic, invoking powers under the Stafford Act. This action opens $50 billion for aid related to COVID-19. The President also announced the administration would waive interest on federal student loans and the Department of Energy would buy crude oil for storage in U.S. reserves.
On March 14, the House passed an updated version of H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, that includes provisions protecting nonprofits. The Senate is expected to bring it up as early as today. The bill provides free testing for COVID-19, $2 billion in unemployment assistance, $1 billion in food aid, and increased federal funding for Medicaid. It also suspends the SNAP work requirements and grants greater waiver authority to the states during the crisis. The bill requires employers to provide employees two weeks of paid sick leave, paid at the employee’s regular rate, to quarantine or seek a diagnosis or preventive care for the coronavirus. It also requires payment at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate to care for a family member for those purposes or to care for a child whose school has closed, or if a child care provider is unavailable, due to the coronavirus. The bill also expands the number of workers who can take up to 12 weeks of leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. After the two weeks of paid leave, employees will receive a benefit from their employers that will be no less than two-thirds of the employee’s usual pay. The qualifying reasons for the emergency leave are a current diagnosis of COVID-19, self-quarantine, caring for another person with the disease or who is under quarantine, or caring for a child due to COVID-19 related closing of school, or other care facility. Nonprofit New York will continue monitoring the Senate bill and share updates with our membership about how and when nonprofits can access these new protections.
H.R.6074 - Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 passed on March 5th and was signed by the President on March 6th. This bill provides $8.3 billion in emergency funding for federal agencies to respond to the coronavirus outbreak, including grants to local nonprofit organizations.
On March 15, the CDC issued interim guidance that gatherings of 50 people or more in the US should be canceled or postponed over the next eight weeks.
The state legislature passed a late-night emergency bill (S7919/A9953) providing the Governor Cuomo authority to issue any directive necessary to respond to a state disaster emergency and $40 million to address the COVID-19 public health crisis.
On March 7, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today declared a state of emergency to help New York more quickly and effectively contain the spread of the virus.
On March 12, the Governor announced New York will ban events of 500 people or more and impose restrictions on other gathering venues as part of its effort to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.
On March 12, Mayor De Blasio declared a state of emergency in response to COVID-19 that gives the city the authority to potentially close public transportation, order people off the streets and ration supplies. The city could also establish curfews and close streets to vehicles.
On March 15th, Mayor De Blasio and Schools Chancellor Carranza announced the City will move towards a new Remote Learning Model for all school days through Spring Recess. Students will not report to school buildings for instruction during this time. School buildings will remain closed until at least April 20, 2020.
The mayor announced he will sign an order today, Monday, the 16th, to close all restaurants, movie theaters, bars, and concert venues effective Tuesday, March 17th in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. Restaurants will still be able to offer delivery and takeout.
The City issued guidance to nonprofit contracted providers on March 6th in response to concerns related to COVID-19. In the guidance the City states that, “organizations under contract with the City are responsible for fulfilling the agreements in their contract. If a provider believes alternative arrangements need to be established as a result of the Novel Coronavirus, they should discuss with their City contracting agency.”
Events
Advocacy Coalition Calls
Mondays, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
In response to COVID-19, we formed a sector-wide advocacy coalition to support nonprofits through the pandemic and recession. To join our advocacy listserv and receive updates about coalition meetings, working groups, sign ons, and in the moment policy and advocacy information, email Research & Data Coordinator, Celine Yip, at cyip[@]nonprofitnewyork.org.
COVID-19 Related Trainings
Visit our Trainings Page
We’ve put together a brand new series of trainings on a variety of topics to help you adapt and manage through this uncertain time.
Resources
The Lawyers Alliance for New York recently issued a series of important COVID-19 related legal alerts and resources, including: COVID-19 Return to Work FAQ for Employers; Running an Internship Program During the COVID-19 Crisis; FAQs on Conquering Contracts During the Coronavirus Pandemic.
The current crisis has taught us that employer-sponsored healthcare isn't just about total rewards, employee retention, or org growth. Rethinking employer-sponsored health benefits will be essential to economic and individual stability. Save money on your employer-sponsored health insurance without cost-shifting to employees. Nonstop Wellness is a proprietary health insurance solution that provides first-dollar coverage for your employees and premium savings for your organization. Learn more about Nonstop.
The Community Rapid Crisis Response Initiative will support youth-serving nonprofits and community-based organizations in continuing their work in engaging youth and young adults and leading relief efforts in communities during the COVID-19 crisis. This initiative will provide youth-serving organizations with funding of up to $10,000 to support stipends for youth and young adults (ages 14-24 years) in their response efforts. Learn more about eligibility requirements and priorities.
This article is an adaptation of webinars presented to Nonprofit New York and the Health and Welfare Council of Long Island by Audit Partners at the accounting firm Condon O'Meara McGinty & Donnelly LLP. The article includes tips and insights nonprofits should consider when operating their business through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Unemployed Workers Project has relaunched in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Through the initiative, trained English and Spanish speaking attorneys will provide free advice to New Yorkers who find themselves unemployed due to COVID-19 and would like to learn more about unemployment and other government benefits for unemployed workers. Contact the hotline at 347-521-5720 or complete an interest form.
The Alliance was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the resulting devastation to NYC's small business and nonprofit communities, the backbone of our economy and the bedrock of our neighborhoods. The Alliance consists of some of the City's leading law firms and legal services organizations. They share a common goal of providing free, timely, practical legal advice to struggling small businesses and nonprofits, including basic advice on navigating loan and grant programs. Together, they have deep experience in advising small businesses and nonprofits on a range of legal needs, including leases, employment, contracts intellectual property, tax, and insurance. They also have experience serving NYC's small business and nonprofit communities after other major disasters, including Superstorm Sandy and 9/11. The Alliance is here to help. Learn more. Thinking of reaching out? Get a head start by completing this intake form.
This program connects organization's with volunteer lawyers for brief assistance in applying for loans under the SBA PPP. Determine if they can assist your organization by completing their Nonprofit Organization Survey.
Lawyers Alliance, , with support from its volunteer partners and Pro Bono Net, is launching free virtual employment consultations for its current and recent clients. Consultations are limited to employment topics, including what organizations must do to protect their employees' health in the workplace; how organizations provide leave for employees who are sick or caring for ill family members; and if organizations are unable to meet their expenses what their options are for temporarily or permanently reducing staff. To request a consultation, complete their intake form.
COVID-19 has underlined the critical importance of community based organizations. Nonprofits all over the city are providing essential health, housing, economic and information services to NYC’s most vulnerable populations. On top of serving their communities in this time of crisis, nonprofits undertaking acquisition or construction projects are managing another layer of complexity. Capital projects are tough no matter what – the COVID-19 crisis has made everything more challenging. Hester Street has put together a short guide to finding information and resources about how to manage the planning, design and construction of your capital project during this time.
On April 3, in response to many requestions regarding the CARES Act and Families First Coronavirus Act, Nonprofit New York and the New York Council of Nonprofits held a webinar on what the recently passed federal bills mean for New York's nonprofits. We were joined by David Thompson, VP of Public Policy at the National Council of Nonprofits. Weren't able to join us? The slide deck and webinar recording are available now.
FMA tools include a PPP Calculator, template board resolution authorizing a loan, and a script for talking to a bank about PPP.
The CARES Act gives eligible nonprofits choices for securing cash needed to maintain staff and operations. Use the chart to decide which loan is the right one for your organization
On March 27, the House unanimously passed and President signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a $2 trillion economic stimulus law intended to provide immediate relief for individuals, nonprofits, businesses, and state and local governments. The CARES Act is the third law enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CARES Act gives eligible nonprofits choices for securing cash needed to maintain staff and operations. Use the chart to decide which loan is the right one for your organization.