COVID-19: Resources for Nonprofits

(Updated 5/28/2020)

Table of Contents

• Reopening Guidance
• Results of Quick Pulse Survey: COVID-19 Impact
• CARES Act and other Relief Options for Nonprofits
• COVID-19 Technical Assistance for Nonprofits
• Resources for Your Employees
• Resources for Your Board
• What Nonprofits Need to Know
• Hawaii-Specific Information
• Managing Events and Conferences
• Human Resources and Telework
• Webinars to Help You Navigate COVID-19 Issues
• Free or Discounted Services
• Other News and Resources
• Recent COVID-19 related Press

Reopening Guidance

• (NEW) Economic and Community Pathway to Recovery and Reopening Guidelines: Provides guidelines to support Hawaiʻi businesses, including nonprofits, prepare and effectively manage the safety of employees and customers as they resume operations during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, CLICK HERE to visit the State Economic and Community Recovery Navigator website.
• (NEW) HANO’s CONSIDERATIONS FOR REOPENING: A Planning Guide for Hawaiʻi Nonprofits: Offers guidance for nonprofit boards and staff on Operations and Workplace Readiness, Human Resources Considerations, Board Governance, Communication and Public Relations, and Events and Donor Engagement.
• (NEW) Back to Work Toolkit: Designed for Seattle businesses but provides sample signage, how-tos, checklists, and other practical tools that can be modified for your use.

Results of Quick Pulse Survey: COVID-19 Impact

112 organizations responded to our Quick Pulse Survey in March about the expected impacts of COVID-19 on Hawaii’s nonprofit sector. Here’s what we heard from you:

• At the time the survey closed on March 30, 68% of you were already experiencing significant impacts and 83% of you expected to experience increasingly significant impacts.
• 75% of you indicated that your financial bottom line would be impacted with program cutbacks or complete shut downs and were concerned about loss of income from fundraising events, and cuts to government and foundation funding.
• 55% of you were anticipating furloughs or layoffs to direct service and/or administrative staff.
• You expressed a need for emergency funding, technology and HR support and COVID-19 specific supplies, safety protocols and policies.

Mahalo to all of you who completed the survey! This valuable data and stories shared has allowed HANO to advocate for sector support with State and Federal policymakers and the funding community.

CARES Act and other Relief Options for Nonprofits

• Save Hawaii Jobs and Businesses – Resources for Employers: The basics of the CARES Act and how employers can use it. PDF, Webinar #1 (March 30) & Webinar #2 (April 3)
• Federal Coronavirus Relief Bills: What Do They Mean for Nonprofits?: Webinar presented by the National Council of Nonprofits. Slide Deck & Webinar Recording. 
• COVID-19 Toolkit for Nonprofits: Solutions for Human Resource and Finance: HANO, Hawaii Investment Ready and Kanaeokana presented this webinar featuring Chana Anderson, ABD HR Services and Heather Piper, Hawai‘i Community Reinvestment Corporation, sharing HR and Finance strategies for nonprofits related to the Federal Relief options. Chana’s Slide Deck, Heather’s Slide Deck, Q&A & Webinar Recording.
• COVID-19 Resources for the Performing Arts: A list of resources for arts organizations and artists contending with the impacts of COVID-19, including Relief Grants (compiled by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Arts Program).
• (NEW) The National Council of Nonprofits has created an analysis of the final guidances for converting PPP loans to forgivable grants: Late on Friday, May 22, the Small Business Administration (SBA) released long-awaited guidance on loan forgiveness under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The Interim Final Rule on loan forgiveness attempts to clarify those circumstances and complements the loan forgiveness application and instructions announced by SBA on May 15.

COVID-19 Technical Assistance for Nonprofits

Need a helping hand deciding whether to apply for the PPP or EIDL or both? Want help with the application process?

FREE Technical Assistance is Available for Nonprofits Applying for SBA Loans! Thanks to generous support from the Hawaii Community Foundation, HANO is able to offer FREE technical assistance to the first 300 nonprofits who request assistance through a team of experts. Click here to learn more.

Resources for Your Employees

• Kama‘aina Kids to Provide Emergency Child Care: Kama‘aina Kids is opening up seven preschool sites on O‘ahu, Maui, and Hawai‘i Island to children (K-5) of essential employees who do not have access to child care. Limited space is available.
• YMCA Feeds Kids Program: Seven“grab-and-go” meals distribution sites will be offered Monday – Friday, 11:30 am – 12: 30 pm through May 8.
• Hawaiʻi Afterschool Alliance Map: Check out their updated map to find a meal site or child care center closest to you.
• DLIR Unemployment Claim: The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) Hawaii’s Unemployment UI website now has a form for people to complete. Two phone numbers are now open to help process unemployment claims:
  • To schedule an appointment for over-the-phone applications: (808) 762-5752
  • Password reset: (808) 762-5751
  • The local unemployment offices remain closed to walk-in and in-person services.
  • Individuals may file online between 6:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (HST), Monday to Friday or between 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (HST) on weekends and holidays.
• Aloha United Way 211: Hawaii’s only comprehensive, statewide community information and referral service. Free and confidential. 211 specialists help you find food, shelter, financial assistance, child care, parenting support, elderly care, disability services, job training and much more.
• (NEW) Free Mental Health Resources from Hawaii Psychological Association: The Hawai‘i Mental Health Pro Bono COVID-19 Project realizes that the mental health and well-being of Hawaii’s residents is of utmost importance. Mental health experts, including psychologists, marriage and family therapists, clinical social workers, and mental health counselors, are offering free telehealth services to those without health insurance. To register, please complete the request form and you will be notified when a mental health care provider becomes available.
• (NEW) Free Mental Health Support through NAMI: NAMI Hawaii provides free support, information and resources if you or a loved one is struggling with a mental health condition. Please contact NAMI Hawaii at info@namihawaii.org or (808) 591-1297.
• (NEW) From Anxiety to Clarity: Evan Leong, Beth-Ann Kozlovich (previously on Hawaii Public Radio) and Trisha Kajmura from Sutter Health Kahi Mohala launched support to help us to deal with anxiety and move toward clarity. This program brings interviews with licensed therapists and coaches. ACCESS THE EPISODES HERE.

Resources for Your Board

• What Nonprofit Board Members Should Be Doing Right Now to Address the COVID-19 Situation: The board needs to provide steady and adaptive leadership in partnership with and in support of the CEO.
• “Ask the Expert” service: BoardSource experts are available to field and address questions that you might be facing within your specific organization. This service is typically a “members-only” resource, but during this crisis, it is open to all, regardless of member status.
• Leading an Organization through the COVID-19 Crisis: BoardSource blog post highlights 15 things to keep in mind as you adjust to the many new realities that COVID-19 has created.
• Tough Times Call for Tough Action: A Decision Framework for Nonprofit Leaders & Boards: This briefing note summarizes the advice Sea Change Capital Partners has given organizations as they grapple with the current situation, and the best practices they are seeing in the field.
• Free Financial Planning Tools from The Nonprofit Finance Fund: Cash Flow Tool, NFF Scenario Template, and tips on the importance of understanding your financial story and who should hear it.

What Nonprofits Need to Know

• Nonprofits and Funders: Coronavirus Requires Immediate State Advocacy: Nonprofit Quarterly Article about helping state policymakers make informed decisions that both support the sustainability of nonprofits and strengthen their ability to serve people.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Crisis Communication Best Practices for Nonprofits, Prosper Strategies: The following checklist is provided to help organizations identify key communications best practices and actions surrounding coronavirus.
• Administrative Relief for Recipients and Applicants of Federal Financial Assistance Directly Impacted by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget: OMB has identified the following agency actions to relieve short term administrative, financial management and audit requirements without compromising Federal financial assistance accountability requirements.
• A few things for nonprofits and foundations to consider in light of the Coronavirus, Vu Le, Nonprofit AF: The virus reveals several of the weaknesses of our sector and our society, shedding light on things we need to get a better grasp on. Let us use this opportunity to learn and strengthen our work.
• Preparing Your Volunteer Program for COVID-10, Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration: Managing volunteers through this pandemic will be an important part of continuing essential service delivery in our communities. While we acknowledge this is uncharted territory, MAVA wants to offer some tips for nonprofits and volunteer engagement leaders as you prepare your organization’s volunteers for COVID-19.
• Interim Guidance for Homeless Shelters, Center for Disease Control and Prevention: This interim guidance is intended to support response planning by homeless service providers, including overnight emergency shelters, day shelters, and meal service providers.
• Workplace Home and School Guidance, Center for Disease Control and Prevention: (Printable) What every American and community can do now to decrease the spread of the coronavirus.
• Coronavirus and Stigma: (Printable) Viruses don’t discriminate, and neither should we.
• Help for Nonprofits During the Coronavirus and Uncertain Economic Times, from the Chronicle of Philanthropy: Help your nonprofit plan and prepare for the impact of the coronavirus on your workers and volunteers — and your finances.
• COVID-19 Employer Toolkit Designed Exclusively for Nonprofits: Includes Sample Emergency Family and Medical Leave Policy, Sample Emergency Paid Sick Leave Policy, Sample Work from Home Policy, and more.
• COVID-19 Pandemic and People with Disabilities: Find resources and updates from RespectAbility about the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the one-in-five people who live with a disability.
• Unemployment Services Trust: Some of the most commonly asked questions nonprofits are asking about the unemployment and workforce challenges that are likely to come, and how best to prepare for them.
• National Council of Nonprofits’ Coronavirus Resource Page: We are updating this page regularly with the latest information and resources that nonprofits can use to prepare and respond. Topics include: Caring for our communities and ourselves, Resources for funding, Resources on nonprofit operations and bottom lines, Keeping equity front and center, State-by-state resources, Advocacy for nonprofit missions, Technology tools for remote work and events.
• Probono consulting for Nonprofits during COVID-19, Taproot Foundation: From getting a quick and accurate handle on your revenue outlook to jump-starting your giving through creative fundraisers to updating HR policies to reflect our new normal, pro bono support—in as little as 60 minutes!—can help.

Hawaii-Specific Information

• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), State of Hawaii Department of Health Disease Outbreak Control Division: Current Situation, Impact in Hawaii, What can I do?, Resources, Information for Clinicians
• Are You Prepared for COVID-19? Hawaii Employers Council: Be sure the decisions you make consider not just health risks, but also employee morale, public relations, and the risk of claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), Title VII, the Family Medical Leave Act, and other relevant laws.
• Fundraising with Aloha during Uncertain Times, Jennifer Oyer, Community Impact Advisors: Here are 3 simple things you can do RIGHT NOW to show your Aloha and to Mahalo your donors so that they stick with you through the good times…and the bad.
• Emergency Meals: How to Provide Meals to Students: To prevent our students from going hungry, the Hawai‘i Child Nutrition Programs (HCNP) is looking for new organizations to become sponsors to provide meals in case schools close during the school year.
• COVID-19: Respond with Aloha: Kanu Hawai‘i has accelerated plans for the annual Volunteer Week to support an on-going virtual volunteer response to support community needs and address economic impacts related to COVID-19. Take these quick steps to sign-up, or contact volunteer@kanuhawaii.org for direct support to sign up or add your listing.
  1. Register your organization, group, or as an individual. 
  2. List your posting(s) in any of the following categories:
     • Volunteer needs by organizations and essential service providers
     • Supply or service needs
     • Donations or resources available 
     • Local business support
  3. Share your listing and the online platform with your networks and others that may be interested
• A THRIVING LĀHUI: A compiled list of resources and opportunities to help our community stay connected to the widely held goal of a thriving lāhui.
• Response to COVID19: Islander Institute provides insights and graphic designs for others to use.
• Lili‘uokalani Trust Emergency Stabilization Financial Assistance: A resource for Native Hawaiian families and families with Native Hawaiian children in their household, who need assistance with basic needs, food, personal items and gas.
• Our Kūpuna: An organization connecting kūpuna with sponsors to getting groceries, medication and necessary supplies so they can stay home while the COVID-19 outbreak passes.
• Share & Care: A resource from One Shared Future with professional and personal resources that focus on self-care and sustainability, productivity, connectivity, and positivity—on the job and at home.
• DOH’s Behavioral Health and Homelessness Statewide Unified Response Group: Website to provide unified guidance and support to staff and providers across the behavioral health and homelessness services systems of Hawaiʻi during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Kōkua Mau Resource List for Healthcare Professionals: Toolkits, telehealth guides, webinars, hospice information & more.
• Pop-Up Mākeke – Online Marketplace for Local Vendors: The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) is launching an online Pop-Up Mākeke to support our local artists and small business owners in Hawaiʻi impacted by COVID-19. The goal: Create a centralized online marketplace for customers to have easy access to local products.
• Assistance for Certain Homeowners and Renters: Senator Schatz provides guidance on mortgage payment forbearance, foreclosure relief and the eviction moratorium for tenants in properties with federally-guaranteed loans or participating in federal housing programs.
• COVID-19 Funds for the State of Hawaii: The Department of Budget and Finance / Office of Federal Awards Management has put up a simple web page that includes valuable information on what the State of Hawaii expects to receive from the recently passed COVID-19 federal funding bills.
• Kūkulu Switchboard: Created in response to the COVID-19 crisis to enable timely resource exchange through a facilitated digital peer-to-peer network. Asks and Offers for resources (financial, human, or otherwise) are posted, categorized, and searchable to easily connect with needs. DEMO VIDEO
• Commission on the Status of Women Report: While the virus itself is more fatal for men, the collateral impacts of economic shock, job loss, school closures and shelter-in-place, have been disproportionately difficult for women. Our key recommendations cover budgetary changes, how to stimulate and diversify the economy, and responses to the urgent, midterm and long-range needs of women in Hawai’i. We have also included principles and practices for a gender-responsive recovery.
• Lanakila Pacific Resource Guide: Financial, medical, and many more resources that can help you and your loved ones navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

Managing Events and Conferences

• How to Facilitate Effective Virtual Meetings, Beth Kanter: Virtual meetings that are not well designed and facilitated can also mean a loss of productivity. Aside from technical issues, the biggest problem is engagement.
• Coronavirus: What You Need to Know About Cancelling an Event and Liability Risks, Event MB Studio Team: Of course, attendee safety is the number one priority, but a canceled event can mean massive losses for both planners and their partners. If you have to cancel, will you be on the hook for compensation claims? What might your insurance cover?
• How canceled events and self-quarantines save lives, in one chart, Vox.com: The main uncertainty in the coronavirus outbreak in the United States now is how big it will get, and how fast.
• For event creators — information on the coronavirus: Info from Eventbrite on deciding to cancel or postpone your event, changing your event from live to virtual, postponing your event, tips for extra precautions, and refunding service fees.
• Coronavirus and Your Event: More tips and resources from Eventbrite.

Human Resources and Telework

• Remote Workers and Telecommuting Practices for Nonprofits, National Council of Nonprofits: Does your nonprofit need a written policy to address the situation? Perhaps not, but it’s most likely that at least some policies and procedures will need to be re-evaluated with remote workers in mind.
• Resources for Virtual Training Design and Facilitation, Association for Talent Development: ATD has curated several resources to help you design and deliver effective training to a remote workforce. And you’ll find courses you can take to deepen your skills on this important work.
• Optimizing Your Leadership Development Program During the Novel Coronavirus Outbreak, Association for Talent Development: Good leadership is needed now more than ever to keep business moving forward and emerge strongly from the current challenge. For leadership development, it is time to pivot, not pause.
• U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OFFERS GUIDANCE FOR PREPARING WORKPLACES FOR CORONAVIRUS, US Department of Labor: OSHA today published “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19” to help companies respond in the event of coronavirus in the workplace.
• Pardon this Interruption: Flexibility for Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Things employers can realistically do to reduce the complexity and stress for people who are balancing remote work with family responsibilities during this pandemic.
• COVID-19 Employer Resources from from Simplicity HR: The latest employer-related news, planning & preparation, quarantine & employee leave.
• How to Prepare & Manage Your Non-Profit Organization for Teleworking in Light of COVID-19: Do you need to transition your workforce to work remotely in light of COVID-19 but you don’t know where to start? Kuʻulani Keohokalole of People Strategies Hawaiʻi LLC is graciously sharing the recording and PowerPoint presentation from her webinar on best practices for both managers and employees of nonprofit organizations who may need to work from home during the current crisis.
• The Ultimate Guide to Remote Work: Remote Work Myths, Practices of Successful Remote Teams, Communication Architecture, Staying Aligned, Remote Team Agreements & Protocols, Availability Protocols, Goal Setting and Feedback, and Morale.
• 5 Essential Security Tips for Working in the Age of Zoom: Practical tips that should be taken into consideration regardless of what video platform you use.
• Conquering Your Zoom Fears – Best Practices for Conducting Safe and Effective Virtual Meetings and Events: Debbie Genardini of A’o Time Consulting demonstrated that Zoom is easy to use and safe, as long as you know the right tips and tricks. Topics included: managing security on Zoom calls, how to structure the meeting to achieve your goals, tips for setting yourself up for success in Zoom. Webinar Recording, Handout, Best Practices.
• Cyber Hawaii Cyber 101 Security Tips and Resources: Cyber 101 provides small to medium-size businesses and nonprofits the resources they need to educate their employees and build resilience against cyber attacks. This page also provides information on how to prepare before a cyber attack and the next steps when an intrusion or incident occurs.

Webinars to Help You Navigate COVID-19 Issues

• Washington Nonprofits Webinars: Washington Nonprofits has posted the recordings of their webinars related to COVID-19, including What Should Nonprofits Be Thinking About?, What Am I Supposed to Do About My Fundraising Event?, and Alternatives to Meeting in Person
• Cashflow, Capital Stacks and COVID-19 Financial Resources for Nonprofit Organizations: Hawaii Community Reinvestment Corporation (HCRC) on Nonprofit Cash Flow Principles, Nonprofit Capital Stacks/Sources During Disaster and Emergency Situations, Sources of Capital Available under the CARES Act, and SBA Application Tips as a Nonprofit Organization How to Apply for a HCRC Emergency Loan Program (HELP). Slide Deck, Financial Tools Template & HCRC COVID-19 Resources Page
• Nonprofit Finance Fund Webinars (NFF will send you a link to the recording after you fill out the registration form linked below)
  • Managing through Uncertainty Part 1: Practical steps for moving from response and recovery into resilience, cash management and planning strategies, and budgeting in a time of uncertainty.
  • Managing through Uncertainty Part 2: Common financial strategies for managing in crisis, practical advice for completing a financial scenario plan, and best practices for communicating and reflecting on the financial impact of COVID-19.
• A Nonprofit’s Toolkit for Dealing with COVID-19: Gregg S. Bossen, CPA PC, president of QuickBooks Made Easy for Nonprofits, a HANO Member Benefit Partner, explains how to access CARES Act funds, which in many cases amount to forgivable loans. Slide Deck
• Practicing Wellness and Self Care in Uncertain Times: Heather E. Pierucki, LMHC from ChangeWorks LLC gives us tips to manage our wellness and self-care during these times. Recording (register to view the recording), Slide Deck.
• Rethinking Fundraising and Special Events During COVID-19: Panelists shared their lessons learned in pivoting to virtual events or finding other creative fundraising solutions when going virtual is not possible.

Free or Discounted Services

• Zoom Discounted Services for HANO Members: HANO members can receive 20% off all plans that are at least a one (1) year term.
• Microsoft, Google, and Zoom are trying to keep up with the demand for their now free work-from-home software, Vox.com: Workplace software companies like Zoom, Microsoft, and Google have offered their software for free and have taken pains to make sure they can accommodate the growing demand from users.
• LiveSafe Announces Free COVID-19 Safety Resources App, LiveSafe: LifeSafe is offering a free, limited version of its industry-leading safety and communications platform to any business, university, or healthcare institution that needs an effective means of communicating relevant information to their community during the current coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
• Free Resources through TechSmith: Our screen recording tool, TechSmith Snagit, and our asynchronous collaboration platform, TechSmith Video Review, will be provided for free through the end of June 2020 to any organization that needs it.
• Accumulus Advisors: Accumulus will help with the SBA loan application process for a $500 fee paid with loan proceeds, and free for HANO members if not approved. Email Stacey@accumulus.co & Dayna@accumulus.co for help.

Other News and Resources

• CDC to Award Over $560 Million to State & Local Jurisdictions in Support of COVID-19 Response, US Department of Health and Human Services: “State and local health departments are on the frontlines of responding to the COVID-19 outbreak, and we are deeply grateful for their work,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “CDC is distributing this new funding extremely rapidly, as called for by Congress.”
• An Appeal to Congress to Include Nonprofits in Packages for Relief and Stimulus, Nonprofit Quarterly: Why Nonprofits Must Be Included in a COVID-19 Relief and Economic Stimulus Package
• Nonprofits who Can’t Cancel: The Ones who serve those at risk for COVID-19, Nonprofit Quarterly: In the midst of a public health crisis, some are more at risk for infection than others, and as the New York Times reported yesterday, there is a perfect storm of conditions in some nonprofits that may lead to tragedy.
• CoronaTracker: Global stats, countries affected, international news, travel alerts, prevention and analytics.
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act to be Approved Shortly: This legislation takes additional smart, strategic and science-based measures to put Families First, for families’ economic security, food security & health security. (Families First Summary)
• SBA Disaster Loan Portal Now Open: Hawaii businesses may now apply for SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Assistance Program at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. The loans can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll and other bills that can’t be paid due to the COVID-19 disaster’s impact.
• New York Times – “Musicals Out, One-Man Plays In: Broadway Gets Creative Waiting for Show to Go On”: “The U.S. branch of Equity has hired an epidemiologist to come up with protocols for actors, stagehands, and costume and make-up departments. Elsewhere, people are brainstorming about what kind of plays would work best or taking theatre out of traditional spaces, including outdoors or into restaurants.”

Recent COVID-19 related Press

• House Speaker Names Business Leaders To Coronavirus Committee, Honolulu Civil Beat: House Speaker Scott Saiki appointed some of the biggest names in Hawaii business (including Lisa Maruyama, HANO President & CEO) to a panel tasked with preparing the state for economic and financial impacts from the novel coronavirus. Click to view the documents that have been shared with the committee thus far.
• “Challenges Facing Nonprofits: Lisa Maruyama, President and CEO, Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations” – Hawaii Business Magazine
• USA Today – “‘Our life is in danger’: Unemployment hits 34% in Hawaii with no end in sight”: “Since March, the state’s unemployment rate has soared from 3% to 34%, one of the highest in the nation… The pain has been widespread, with charities encountering unprecedented requests for food and assistance and small business owners grappling with plummeting profits.” PDF.
• New Website Matches People In Need With People Who Can Help, Honolulu Civil Beat: “There’s an unprecedented urgent need among people who’ve lost their jobs or can’t pay the rent. It’s matched by a swell in the number of people who want to help. But matching charitable organizations with donors who want to fund their initiatives normally doesn’t happen fast. And the whirlpool of needs and resources can be difficult to navigate.”