Small Business Financing during COVID-19

Coronavirus Financing Resources

• If you don't qualify for business disaster assistance . . .

  If your company wasn’t profitable last year, social service assistance might be an option. There are regional COVID-19 funds set up throughout the state.

  If you need resources now, please contact your local United Way to reach trained, caring professionals seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

   

• If you're self-employed or an independent contractor . . .

  Filing for unemployment may be an option. The CARES Act includes a temporary Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program through Dec. 31, 2020, to provide payment to workers who are not traditionally eligible for unemployment such as the self-employed or independent contractors (including so-called gig economy workers), who are unable to work as a direct result of the coronavirus public health emergency.

  Apply through your state unemployment office:

  • in Kansas
  • in Missouri

  The Department of Labor, working collaboratively with the states, offers three specific programs:

  Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for those not typically eligible for UI, such as gig workers, and expanded UI benefits. PUA provides benefits for eligible individuals who are self-employed, seeking part-time employment, or who otherwise would not qualify for UI benefits under state or federal law. To be eligible, among other requirements, individuals must demonstrate that they are otherwise able to work and available for work within the meaning of applicable state law, except that they are unemployed, partially unemployed, or unable or unavailable to work because of COVID-19 related reasons.

  Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program, eligible individuals who are collecting certain UI benefits, including regular unemployment compensation, will receive an additional $600 in federal benefits per week for weeks of unemployment ending on or before July 31, 2020.

  Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program allows those who have exhausted benefits under regular unemployment compensation or other programs to receive up to 13 weeks of additional benefits. States must offer flexibility in meeting PEUC eligibility requirements related to “actively seeking work” if an applicant’s ability to do so is impacted by COVID-19.

   

   

• Cash Flow: Manage your finances

  The quickest way to help your finances is to manage your cash flow by monitoring what revenue comes in and what expenses go out.

  Here are some quick tips from Rebecca Gubbels of the Missouri SBDC at UMKC. (Read her full blog post and further ideas on “Things You Can Do for Your Business Now.”)
  

  Watch the video
  (click on the image to play the video, press your browser's back button to return to this page)
  

  

  Evaluate new distribution methods – Look for ways to boost your newly limited in-person traffic. Could you still be solving problems for customers but in different ways? Does creating a subscription service, setting up e-commerce, adding delivery, or implementing curbside service benefit your customers? We at the Missouri SBDC have a pet store client now offering same day local delivery to help customers and their pets get what they need while safely in their homes. Now is definitely the time to creatively adapt, if you’re able.

  Bill sooner and collect faster – If you offer credit to customers, be sure to bill them promptly. Right now we recommend ensuring that you’re billing just as soon as work is completed. Then consider your collection practices. The time might be right to consider offering your customers a small incentive if they then pay what they owe you super quickly. At a minimum, you need to be following up on receivables a few days before they’re due to ensure your customers remember the invoice and plan to pay on time.

  Hold off on major purchases – While things are so uncertain, big capital expenditures should be postponed if at all possible.

  Manage inventory – Inventory is essentially your business’s cash sitting on a shelf. Now is a great time to consider cancelling or delaying planned inventory purchases. Get creative with current inventory on-hand. Can it be returned or exchanged with your vendor? Are there ways to incent customers to buy current inventory using discounting or other incentives? More ideas for managing inventory can be found here.

  Reach out to your business insurance agent – Some business insurance policies may cover situations like COVID-19, especially if you carry a business continuity policy. You may have Force Majeure coverage providing assistance for financial losses arising out of the inability to bring a project to completion. Reach out to your agent to see what, if any, coverage is applicable to you.

  Consider reducing your payroll expenses – We entrepreneurs are only as strong as our teams. That is what makes managing payroll so hard in light of the likely impact on your co-workers who are often also friends. However, unprecedented times possibly call for unprecedented measures. At this point you should at least begin postponing new hires and considering reducing hours and laying off nonessential employees.

  Pay your bills slowly – While things are in flux, do not pay your bills any faster than you have to. Take advantage of the full agreed payment terms to hold onto your cash longer. The goal should be to pay your creditors as slowly as possible without incurring a negative consequence. You should also reach out to all suppliers, creditors, landlords and banks for possible modified payment terms. Many banks are already offering to modify their existing loans down to interest only or no payments for the coming 3-6 months.

  Break even – Know your break even point to cover fixed expenses and evaluate all expenses. Break-even is your fixed expenses divided by your gross margin %. Great advice is to keep a rolling 13 week cash flow to help make decisions. Jack Harwell explains break even in this video.

  There is a temporary ban in both Kansas and Missouri on evictions, foreclosures, utilities and internet disconnects. Be aware these are temporary and full payment will likely be required at a later date.

• Cash Runway: Calculate how long your cash will last

  Now that you’ve assessed what cash conservation actions you’re planning to take, you’ll need to figure out how long your current cash reserves can last or your “cash runway.” Start with this quick calculation:

  Cash Runway

  • Current cash balances / Monthly cost still happening in virus response months = Your cash runway measured in months

  You might also want to do this calculation a second time including sources of cash that you technically have access to but may be presently hesitant to tap.

  Cash Runway (using all current cash options)

  • Current cash balances + amount of cash that could be tapped (existing credit cards and/or lines of credit) / Monthly costs still happening in virus response months = Your longest currently available cash runway measured in months

  Accessing these lines may or may not be prudent as circumstances continue to develop, but you should have awareness of both timelines. Additional cash runway calculation information can be found here.

   

  Know Your Break Even Number

  Breaking even is not a goal for businesses that want to thrive, but understanding what amount of sales you need to break even is important to survive. Jack Harwell of the Kansas SBDC breaks down the math in this video.

   

• Current Loans: Are you worried about your current SBA loan or another bank loan?

  Talk to your lender now about your existing loans. Loan modifications may be available due to the Coronavirus. Many banks are making no-cost modifications available, but typically you must specifically ask, e.g. interest-only payments for a few months, months of payments pushed off to the end of the loan, etc. Your lender does not want to see you go out of business, talk to them now.

  SBA Loans

  SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza announced an automatic deferment of SBA Disaster Loans through the end of 2020 to help borrowers still paying back SBA loans from previous disasters. By making this change, deferments through December 31, 2020, will be automatic. Now, borrowers of home and business disaster loans do not have to contact SBA to request deferment.

  In addition, the Small Business Debt Relief Program will provide immediate relief to small businesses with non-disaster SBA loans, in particular 7(a), 504 and microloans. Under it, SBA will cover all loan payments on these SBA loans, including principal, interest and fees, for six months. This relief will also be available to new borrowers who take out loans within the next six months.

  If you have a non-SBA loan from a bank, reach out to your current bank to see what options they may have available. There are some other regularly accessible sources of funds like your bank’s conventional financing or factoring accounts receivable that may now warrant reconsideration, but there are also some forthcoming emergency loan options.

   

• Paycheck Protection Program: Get help to cover the cost of retaining employees

  The Payroll Protection Program PREP (PPP PREP)
  

  The Payroll Protection Program PREP (PPP PREP)-Kansas City is a partnership effort with the City of Kansas City KC BizCare Office, the Prospect Business Association of Kansas City (PBA) and the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce, service professionals and funders to provide PPP loan preparation services to Black and minority owned small businesses to get them ready for stimulus dollars.
  
  If you have any questions or need assistance completing the application call (816) 666-9722 or email us at prospectbakcmo@gmail.com to set up an appointment. We also have accountants to assist you with your PPP paperwork. If you did not apply for the PPP Loan in 2020 you have until March 31, 2021 to apply.
  
  

  PPP Loan Application Period for Businesses and Nonprofits with Fewer Than 20 Employees

  Beginning on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 9 a.m., the U.S. Small Business Administration will establish a 14-day, exclusive PPP loan application period for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees. This will give lenders and community partners more time to work with the smallest businesses to submit their applications, while also ensuring that larger PPP-eligible businesses will still have plenty of time to apply for and receive support before the program expires on March 31, 2021.

  SBA also announced four additional changes to open the PPP to more underserved small businesses than ever before. While these changes are being implemented, SBA will work with community partners to improve the emergency relief “digital front door” and conduct extensive stakeholder outreach. And, SBA will strengthen its relationships with lender partners to advance equity goals, deliver funding efficiently, and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. SBA will:

  • Allow sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals to receive more financial support by revising the PPP’s funding formula for these categories of applicants;
  • Eliminate an exclusionary restriction on PPP access for small business owners with prior non-fraud felony convictions, consistent with a bipartisan congressional proposal;
  • Eliminate PPP access restrictions on small business owners who have struggled to make student loan payments by eliminating student loan debt delinquency as a disqualifier to participating in the PPP; and
  • Ensure access for non-citizen small business owners who are lawful U.S. residents by clarifying that they may use Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) to apply for the PPP.
  •  

  SBA and Treasury Announce PPP Re-Opening; Issue New Guidance

  (Source: SBA)

  The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, on January 8, announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday, January 11, and Second Draw PPP Loans on Wednesday, January 13.  The PPP will open to all participating lenders shortly thereafter. Updated PPP guidance outlining Program changes to enhance its effectiveness and accessibility was released on January 6 in accordance with the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act.

  This round of the PPP continues to prioritize millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $284 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses through March 31, 2021, and by allowing certain existing PPP borrowers to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan.

  Key PPP updates include:

  • PPP borrowers can set their PPP loan’s covered period to be any length between 8 and 24 weeks to best meet their business needs;
  • PPP loans will cover additional expenses, including operations expenditures, property damage costs, supplier costs, and worker protection expenditures;
  • The Program’s eligibility is expanded to include 501(c)(6)s, housing cooperatives, direct marketing organizations, among other types of organizations;
  • The PPP provides greater flexibility for seasonal employees;
  • Certain existing PPP borrowers can request to modify their First Draw PPP Loan amount; and
  • Certain existing PPP borrowers are now eligible to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan. 

  A borrower is generally eligible for a Second Draw PPP Loan if the borrower:

  • Previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will or has used the full amount only for authorized uses;
  • Has no more than 300 employees; and
  • Can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020.

  The new guidance released includes:

  • PPP Guidance from SBA Administrator Carranza on Accessing Capital for Minority, Underserved, Veteran, and Women-owned Business Concerns;
  • Interim Final Rule on Paycheck Protection Program as Amended by Economic Aid Act; and
  • Interim Final Rule on Second Draw PPP Loans.

  For more information on SBA’s assistance to small businesses, visit sba.gov/ppp or treasury.gov/cares.

  Revised PPP Forgiveness Application

  (Source: SBA)
  Small businesses that obtained Paycheck Protection Program loans of $50,000 or less can now use a streamlined application to apply for loan forgiveness.
  
  The new form includes one page of required information, with one page of information that can be disclosed on a voluntary basis. According to the document, businesses that, together with their affiliates, received $2 million or more in PPP proceeds cannot use the streamlined form.
  
  SBA and Treasury have also eased the burden on PPP lenders, allowing lenders to process forgiveness applications more swiftly.
  
  SBA began approving PPP forgiveness applications and remitting forgiveness payments to PPP lenders for PPP borrowers on October 2, 2020. SBA will continue to process all PPP forgiveness applications in an expeditious manner.

  Click here to view the simpler loan forgiveness application.
  Click here to view the instructions for completing the simpler loan forgiveness application.
  

  Businesses, even without a personal guarantee or collateral, can apply one of these loans as long as they were operational on February 15, 2020, and had paid employees at that time (even if the owner is the only employee). On a final note, the SBA’s 500-employee threshold includes all types of employees: full-time, part-time and any other status.
  

  
  Who Can Apply

  The following entities affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19) may be eligible:

  • Any small business concern that meets SBA’s size standards (either the industry based sized standard or the alternative size standard)
  • Sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed persons
  • Any business with a NAICS Code that begins with 72 (Accommodations and Food Services) that has more than one physical location and employs less than 500 per location
  • Any business, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, 501(c)(19) veterans organization, or Tribal business concern (sec. 31(b)(2)(C) of the Small Business Act) with the greater of:
    • 500 employees, or
    • That meets the SBA industry size standard if more than 500

  Will my PPP loan forgiveness be affected if my employee(s) refuse to come back to work?
  

  (Source: Kansas SBDC at JCCC and the Department of Treasury)

  No. As an exercise of the Administrator’s and the Secretary’s authority under Section 1106(d)(6) of the CARES Act to prescribe regulations granting de minimis exemptions from the Act’s limits on loan forgiveness, SBA and Treasury intend to issue an interim final rule excluding laid-off employees whom the borrower offered to rehire (for the same salary/wages and same number of hours) from the CARES Act’s loan forgiveness reduction calculation. 

  The interim final rule will specify that, to qualify for this exception, the borrower must have made a good faith, written offer of rehire, and the employee’s rejection of that offer must be documented by the borrower. Employees and employers should be aware that employees who reject offers of re-employment may forfeit eligibility for continued unemployment compensation. 

  See the full answer to this and more frequently asked questions about PPP loans.

  Please Note: If applicable, SBA will deduct any EIDL advance amount you have received from the forgiveness amount remitted to the Lender, as required by section 1110(e)(6) of the CARES Act. Borrowers are required to retain certain documents for six years after the date the loan is forgiven or repaid in full.

  
  Forgiveness Forms and Instructions

  • SBA Form 3508 Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application (Spanish version)
    • Instructions for the SBA Form 3508 Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application
  • SBA Form 3508EZ Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application
    • Instructions for the SBA Form 3508EZ Paycheck Protection Program EZ Loan Forgiveness Application
  • SBA Form 3508S Paycheck Protection Program Forgiveness Application 
    • Instructions for the SBA Form 3508S Paycheck Protection Program 3508S Forgiveness Application

  PPP loan forgiveness calculator: spreadsheet/template (Source: BerganKDV)
  PPP loan forgiveness calculator: online estimator (Source: CoastApp.com)

  Know Your Options: Financial Assistance Programs for COVID-19
  Rebecca Gubbels of Missouri SBDC at UMKC and Lee’s Summit EDC
  

• Disaster Relief Loans and Grants: What funding is available now?

  Talk to your lender now about your existing loans. Loan modifications may be available due to the Coronavirus. Many banks are making no-cost modifications available, but typically you must specifically ask, e.g. interest-only payments for a few months, months of payments pushed off to the end of the loan, etc. Your lender does not want to see you go out of business, talk to them now.

  Local Disaster Assistance

  Area microlenders and community development financial institutions are hustling to offer interim financing. Their available loan amounts are comparatively small,often capping out at $20,000 or $50,000, but they’re comparatively FAST. 

  These amazing community resources can be quick because they are typically much smaller operations than banks, and they aren’t responsible for taking and protecting depositors’ funds.  
  

  Evergy Hometown Economic Recovery Program
  Evergy is now accepting applications from registered 501(c)3 and 501(c)6 nonprofits for programs and projects focused on aiding the short and long term recovery efforts in our service territory. Grants can be requested in amounts between $5,000.00 and $25,000.00 will be awarded in two phases.
  
  For small business customers that are looking for support, as part of our community support package, Evergy has made significant contributions to two nonprofit small business loan funds. Small businesses can apply for loans from these funds:

  • GKC COVID Small Business Loans: www.alt-cap.org/covid-relief-fund

  • Network KS/Restart Kansas County Loan Fund (Restart Kansas): Call 877-521-8600 or email info@networkkansas.com

  🛑 KCMO Small Business Relief Fun
  (Source: Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City)
  The Kansas City Missouri Small Business Relief Loan Fund will provide loans up to $25,000 to help small businesses within the city limits of Kansas City Missouri continue to finance operational expenses during this unprecedented period of economic stress due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. The Fund allows for low interest rate loans, deferred payments for the first 6-12 months, and extended amortization periods of up to five years. There are no minimum credit score and flexible collateral requirements.

  Kansas City AltCap COVID-19 Small Business Relief Fund
  This new community-backed $5 million small business relief loan fund is intended to provide immediate relief to local, small businesses experiencing extreme economic disruption and financial strain as a result of the necessary public health measures to “flatten the curve” and combat the virus.

  St. Louis Small Business Grant Fund
  The City of St. Louis has established a Small Business Grant Fund to assist small businesses that have been severely impacted by COVID-19 and Stay at Home Orders. Through the CARES Act, the total amount of the funding available for disbursement is $4,000,000.00. These grant amounts will be $5,000.00.
  

  Applications for the Small Business Grant Fund will be accepted beginning Wednesday, June 3 at 9:00 AM.

  St. Louis Small Business Resource Fund
  The St. Louis Economic Development Partnership and the St. Louis Development Corporation are offering a 0% percent interest loan program for small businesses in the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County that have sustained economic damage due to the COVID-19 crisis. For questions about the program, please email bizhelp@stlpartnership.com

  🛑St. Louis Gateway Resilience Fund
  As a resource for individuals who are employees or owners of independent businesses affected by this crisis, the Gateway Resilience Fund has been established to provide short-term assistance. The fund is providing $1,000 in direct payment of bills to vendors or $500 directly to applicants. In addition, the St. Louis Downtown Community Improvement District (CID) is offering $5,000 grants to affected small, locally owned businesses in its 180-block area. This will be updated as more resources are identified and become available.

  For more funding options, complete the COVID-19 Financial Assistance Request form. 
  

  Help my business
  find funding

  
  

  Know Your Options: Financial Assistance Programs for COVID-19

  Rebecca Gubbels of Missouri SBDC at UMKC and Lee’s Summit EDC

• SBA Disaster Loans

  The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) expands existing eligibility requirements and provides greater funding opportunities for businesses seeking relief from the federal government. 
  

  SBA Coronavirus Pandemic Disaster Loans
  (Source: America’s SBDC) This chart from the Kansas SBDC provides a comparison of the following SBA coronavirus pandemic disaster loans:

  • EIDL Forgiveness/Advance (grant of up to $10K)
  • PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) SBA 7(a)
  • SBA Express Bridge Loan
  • SBA Small Business Debt Relief Program

  Under the disaster assistance program, businesses are eligible to borrow up to $2 million. 

  Under the SBA 7(a) program, businesses are eligible to borrow up to $10 million with significant loan forgiveness if the funds are used for payroll, lease payments and other general expenses. 

  Under SBA Express Bridge Loan, businesses are eligible to borrow up to $25,000, which may be repaid in full or part by proceeds from an EIDL.

  Under SBA Small Business Debt Relief, the SBA will cover all loan payments on SBA loans for six months.
  

  [Chart] Which SBA loan(s) is right for your business during COVID-19?

• EIDL: SBA Economic Injury Disaster Advances

  SBA says EIDL application will be available by January 17, 2021

  (Source: NFIB)
  The new federal recovery law includes more funding for Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) advance grants. SBA has indicated that the EIDL grant application will be available by January 17, 2021.

  EIDL grants will be given to small businesses located in low-income communities,* who have experienced a 30% reduction in gross receipts during any 8-week period between March 2, 2020 and December 31, 2021 compared to a comparable 8-week period before March 2 or in 2019. Also, if you meet this description and previously received a EIDL grant that is less than $10,000 you can reapply to receive the difference (those reapplying for the full grant will receive approval priority over new applicants). 

  What: The EIDL grant is a form of small business relief providing $10,000 dollars in grants, i.e., completely free and non-repayable money, to select small businesses. The grant program was part of the initial CARES Act in 2020, but funds were exhausted within months. In December, Congress allocated additional funds for the program.  

  Who is Eligible:

  • Business was in operation prior to January 31, 2020,
  • Business has less than 300 employees,
  • Business is located in a low-income community,* and
  • Business suffered at least a 30% reduction in gross receipts during any 8-week period between March 2, 2020 – December 31, 2021 compared to a comparable 8-week period before March 2 or in 2019.

  * What is a low-income community? This article explains how to determine if you live in a low-income community, and the federal government offers this map where you can type in your address for determination.

  When to Apply: Authorized through December 31, 2021, but applications close when funds run out – so if eligible, apply fast. SBA hopes to be accepting applications on or around January 17, 2021.

  How to Apply: We expect the SBA application portal to be ready by January 17, 2021. Small businesses should monitor the SBA website in the next week for more information.

  Additional Details:

  • EIDL advance grants are not counted as gross income for tax purposes.
  • Once you apply, the SBA is required to make a determination on application approval within 21 days.
  • To keep up with the latest, check out NFIB’s coronavirus resources and join NFIB’s COVID-19 webinar series.
  • The EID loan (EIDL) program (30-year term loan with a 3.75% interest rate, 2.75% for non-profits) was unchanged by the recent legislation and is still open through December 31, 2021. See this NFIB-created tip sheet for more information on the EIDL and apply via SBA here.

  Updated January 9, 2021
  
  🛑 EIDL: SBA Economic Injury Disaster Advances
  

  July 11, 2020: Having allocated the full $20 billion that was appropriated by Congress, SBA will discontinue making EIDL Advances to new applicants. By law, the SBA is not permitted to issue new EIDL Advances once all program funding has been obligated. 

  EIDL loan applications will still be processed even though the Advance is no longer available. As a reminder, the loan portion of the EIDL program continues to have funds available at very affordable terms, including a 3.75% interest rate for small businesses and 2.75% for non-profit organizations, a 30-year maturity, and an automatic deferment of one year before monthly payments begin.  Every eligible small business and non-profit is encouraged to apply to get the resources they need.
  

  1. Get the FAQs about EIDL from KCSourceLink

  2. See “SBA Disaster Assistance Loans” in this blog post by the Missouri SBDC at UMKC to prepare the right documents before you apply, Missouri SBDC at UMKC.

  3. And then, once you have your paperwork in order, apply for disaster assistance via the SBA website

  Another important aspect of the CARES Act for small businesses is that it expands eligibility for the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs). In early March, the SBA’s disaster loan program was extended to all small businesses affected by COVID-19, but the CARES Act opens this program up further and makes it easier to apply.

  These changes include:

  • EIDLs are now also available to Tribal businesses, cooperatives, and ESOPs with fewer than 500 employees. They are also available to all non-profit organizations, including 501(c)(6)s, and to individuals operating as sole proprietors or independent contractors.

  • EIDLs can be approved by the SBA based solely on an applicant’s credit score.

  • EIDLs that are smaller than $200,000 can be approved without a personal guarantee.

  • Borrowers can receive a $10,000 emergency grant cash advance that can be forgiven if spent on paid leave, maintaining payroll, increased costs due to supply chain disruption, mortgage or lease payments or repaying obligations that cannot be met due to revenue losses.

  EIDL and Paycheck Protection Program

  Can a business get an EIDL and a Paycheck Protection Program loan? Yes, small businesses can get both an EIDL and a Paycheck Protection Program loan as long as they don’t pay for the same expenses. However, be sure to check with your financial advisor or lender before taking both types of loans if you are not sure of the specifics.
  

  Forgivable $10,000 Advance

  The CARES Act provides additional assistance for small business owners and non-profits, including the opportunity to get up to a $10,000 Advance on an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). This advance may be available even if your EIDL application was declined or is still pending, and will be forgiven.

  If you wish to apply for the advance on your EIDL, please visit covid19relief.sba.gov/#/ as soon as possible to fill out a new, streamlined application. In order to qualify for the advance, you need to submit this new application even if you previously submitted an EIDL application. Applying for the Advance will not impact the status or slow your existing application.

  EIDL vs PPP: Chart the Key Differences Between These Major SBA Loans

  Economic Injury Disaster Loans vs. Paycheck Protection Program loans: What are the key differences, and which is best for your business? Download this handy chart that covers the most important facets and loan terms for each so you can plan the best path forward for your business.
  

  EIDL Application Checklist for Sole Proprietors and Contractors

  Here's a handy checklist from business experts that highlights the parts of the application that these two types of businesses will complete a little differently. Filling out the form property is key to moving an application along as quickly as possible. Counselors at your local SBDC also can help guide you through these forms.
  

  EIDL / PPP and Faith-Based Organizations

  All faith-based organizations impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19) are eligible to participate in the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, without restrictions based on their religious identity or activities, to the extent they meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the CARES Act.
  

• CARES vs. EIDL vs. PPP vs. ERTC

  Let’s put it all together, with help from our friends at the Kansas SBDC. 

  How To Get Up To $10,000 or More From Uncle Sam for Your Business

    

  The webinar walks through three scenarios. Jump to these timestamps to learn more:

  • 23:15 – Gig-worker, independent contractors, self-employed individuals

  • 32:25 – Growing business before COVID-19

  • 52 – Businesses with over 50% drop in revenue

  • 54:30 – Q&A starts. Read the Q&As right here.

  The webinar outlines three business scenarios and their options and opportunities under the 

  • CARES Act, including SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)

  • Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) - currently SUSPENDED

  • Employee Retention Tax Credit

  Can a business get an EIDL and a PPP loan? Yes, small businesses can get both an EIDL and a Paycheck Protection Program loan as long as they don’t pay for the same expenses. However, be sure to check with your financial advisor or lender before taking both types of loans if you are not sure of the specifics.

  Can you do the ERTC and the PPP? Nope. Work with your accountant and run the numbers. While you can do the EIDL and PPP (as long as they’re for different expenses), you can’t do the Employee Retention Tax Credit and the Payment Protection Program, so find out which one is best for your business. 

   

• Other Local, Regional and National Grants and Loans

  BY CITY/REGION

  
  Adair County, MO
  

  ADAIR County CARES Act Funding Opportunity
  The State of Missouri received about $2.3 billion of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security ACT (CARES Act). Adair County’s share is $2,973,240. Adair County will use the guidelines provided by the U.S. Department of Treasury and the State of Missouri in making awards of the funds received under the CARES Act. 
  

  
  Buchanan County, MO
  

  🛑 CARES Act Information
  Buchanan County received $10,249,541 for use local entities to cover costs incurred due to the public’s health emergency. The County has worked closely with the State Treasurer’s Office and other counties to put together a process to distribute these funds. There are two applications. The County will review Reimbursement Grants (application 1) to cover expenses that fall into the definitions. Small Business Relief Grant Applications will also be reviewed (application 2).

  Caldwell County, MO
  

  🛑 Caldwell County Announces Round 3 CARES Act Application Process
  Applications for the third round of funding are due on January 15, 2021. The County will then review and evaluate the applications for completeness (including supporting documentation), compliance with the CARES Act requirements and Treasury guidance, and anticipates making award decisions on or before February 16, 2021. Award recipients will be required to enter into a written agreement with the County prior to disbursement of awarded funds.
  

  Callaway County, MO

  Callaway County Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Resources
  

  
  

  Cape County, MO

  Cape Girardeau County CARES Act Startup Funding
  You must have been a Cape County resident affected by covid-19 to participate in this opportunity. Deadline November 29, 2020.

  • You have lost income because of COVID-19 and now want to start a business
  • You have started a business because of COVID-19
  • You had a business before COVID-19 and have lost income due to COVID-19
    

  application link

  
  

  Excelsior Springs, MO

  #OneTownOneTeamGrant
  (Source: Excelsior Springs Area Chamber of Commerce)
  The funding from this program is meant to serve as a “bridge” while you wait for business to go back to usual or for when more substantial federal funding becomes available. The money available for this grant is from local businesses and community members who have donated specifically to help our Excelsior Springs businesses.
  
  

  Ferguson, MO

  City Business Assistance Grant
  As a means to promote and encourage business development, retention and expansion, the City of Ferguson has developed a business assistance grant for small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 shutdowns.
  
  This is a one-time grant of up to $10,000, subject to the limitations and qualifications in the policy. Grants will be awarded so long as funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once funds are depleted no more grants will be awarded.

  Click Here for Guidelines and a printable application
  
  To apply for this program, complete the application and submit to the Planning & Development Office at City Hall, 110 Church St., Ferguson, MO. If you have any questions along the way, please contact Bailey Mitchell, Community Development Coordinator at bmitchell@fergusoncity.com
  

  Kansas City, MO

  Central City Economic Development (CCED) Small Business Stabilization Fund Grant Program Round II
  (source: LISC Greater Kansas City)

  Eligible business owners must reside or have a business located within the Kansas City, Missouri Central City Economic Development District (CCED) boundaries (see below.) Because funds are limited, if you have previously been awarded funding from the CCED Small Business Stabilization Fund, you are not eligible to apply for further assistance.
  

  To qualify, businesses must:

  • be located in the CCED Sales Tax District (9th St. to Gregory Blvd./71st St., The Paseo Blvd. to Indiana Ave.)
  • have experienced a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • have 2019 revenues of $750,00 or less and have 20 or fewer employees; and
  • have a valid KCMO Business License and be in compliance with local and state laws.

  To view the detailed guidelines please visit our website 
  

  To apply, please follow this link.

  For more information, contact our team at CCEDgrants@lisc.org.
  
  

  Lafayette County, MO
  

  CARES Small Business Relief Program
  Lafayette County has received Coronavirus Relief Funds to distribute to eligible entities for necessary expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency. 
  

  Overland Park, KS
  

  🛑 Overland Park CDBG Small Business Economic Recovery Program

  Applications are due November 9, 2020 by 5:00 p.m. CST.

  A new small business grant fund opened on October 20, 2020 to provide direct assistance to small businesses experiencing continuing negative impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Overland Park CDBG Small Business Economic Recovery Program is administered by the Community Capital Fund (CCF) in partnership with the City of Overland Park, Kansas, and will award grants of up to $5,000 to small businesses located in Overland Park, Kan. which may not qualify for other forms of financial relief.
  
  

  Pleasant Valley, MO

  🛑 CARES Small Business Grant Program Information Sheet
  This program will issue $100,000 in grant funds to small business in Pleasant Valley. Small businesses can apply for a grant up to $5,000 to reimburse business expenses related to COVID-19. CARES Small Business Grant Applications accepted starting at 8:00 am on August 15, 2020 and ending at 5:00 pm on September 15, 2020.

  
  Scott County, MO

  Cares Act Funds Application
  

  Springfield, MO

  (Source: efactory)
  The City of Springfield has allocated over $400,000 of CARES Act funding for forgivable business loans. Loans of up to $10,000 will be issued through the program.
  Download City of Springfield CARES Act Round 2 Small Business Grant Application
  

  
  St. Joseph, MO

  City of St. Joseph Strong Small Business Retention Program

  Through federal funds received, the City of St. Joseph is making available to small businesses (1-20 full-time employees) loans to address local business impact for COVID-19.
  

  St. Louis, MO

  EDA Metropolitan Loan Program
  (source: STL Partnership)
  

  The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded CARES Act funds to the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership and The St. Louis Local Development Company, an organization under the St. Louis Development Corporation’s umbrella, to make loans to businesses that have been negatively affected by COVID-19 or that are providing goods or services addressing problems caused by the pandemic.

  Program Details:

  • Must be a for-profit business located in the City of St. Louis or St. Louis County
  • Loan funds may be used for working capital needs and the purchase of inventory, equipment, machinery, and other fixed assets
  • Amounts ranging from $10,000 to $150,000
  • Interest rates starting at 2%
  • Loan terms will be determined by the nature of the project, with most terms ranging from three to five years

  If you have any questions about the program or need assistance completing the loan application, please contact one of our loan officers listed below:

  Zack Folk
  314.276.4203
  zfolk@stlpartnership.com
  

   

  BY STATE

  Kansas Funds

  🛑 Grants for Kansas Artists: NEW deadline to apply is Nov 23, 2020

  (Source: Kansas Dept. of Commerce/The Creative Arts Industries Commission.)
  

  The Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission (CAIC) is focused on the creative industries sector of the Kansas economy. The Commission is dedicated to measuring, promoting, supporting and expanding the creative industries to grow the state's economy and create creative industry-related jobs. 
  

  
  Grants
  The CAIC offers two programs designed to strengthen an important sector of the Kansas economy and create jobs.
  Strategic Investment Program
  Arts Integration Program

  All applications must be submitted online at https://kansascaic.submittable.com
  

   

  For general inquiries on the process, eligibility for this round, or field representative assignment, contact Peter Jasso at Peter.Jasso@ks.gov . All grants are made possible through a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, and are subject to KCAIC and NEA standards and regulations.
  
  

  🛑 SPARK Grant for KS Small Businesses & Food Providers
  (Source: Kansas Dept. of Commerce)
  Kansas SPARK business grant program for businesses that have seen at least a 25% reduction in revenues due to COVID-19. If your Kansas business received less than $350K in other CARES Act (PPP, EIDL, CDBG, Phase I county grants, etc.) funds, you can apply for SPARK grants.

  Applications will begin to be ACCEPTED on Wednesday, Aug 19 at noon. There are many programs available, including:

  • Small Business Working Capital Grants
  • Securing Local Food Systems Grants (Grocery stores/farmer market vendors/restaurants)
    
  • PPE Procurement Grants
    
  • PPE Manufacturing Grants
    
  • COVID-19 Bioscience Development Acceleration

  Review applications here.
  

  Missouri Funds 
  

  🛑 CARES Funds for Childcare Providers – Deadline Nov. 15
  (Source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services)
  The state has allocated ten million dollars ($10,000,000) from the Coronavirus Relief Funds for relief to DHSS SCCR, DSS Child Care Providers, and other Missouri Child Care Providers with a DVN.
  
  Providers may seek reimbursement for costs associated with necessary COVID-19 expenditures in regards to expenses incurred and/or business interruption costs that are directly related to the response to prepare, prevent, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Claims must occur between March 1, 2020 and December 30, 2020 and may not have been recovered from any other local, state, federal or private source.
  
  To learn more about the CRF reimbursement process, providers visit https://health.mo.gov/safety/childcare/covid-19-updates.php  To submit reimbursement requests, follow the instructions outlined on the webpage. Providers may seek reimbursement up to the allocated amount. This allocation is based on a provider capacity. For information allocation categories, please see FAQ’s or email us at Childcare@health.mo.gov

  🛑 Medicaid Providers CARES Act Funding
  (Source: State of Missouri Dept. of Mental Health, Division of Developmental Disabilities) There is $20M in funding available to Medicaid providers in the Division of Developmental Disabilities for increased costs and service interruption due to COVID-19. Of the $20M, $17.6M is allocated for providers of group home and supported living (ISL) services who have incurred additional unreimbursed expenses, and $2.4M is allocated for day habilitation and employment providers for losses due to the interruption of services. These funds cover losses for the period March 1 to December 30, 2020. Providers will need to apply for these funds and have until December 30, 2020, to do so. Eligible providers will be contacted directly by the Division’s provider relations staff in each regional office with instructions and necessary forms.

  Links:
  Attestation for residential services
  Attestation for day habilitation and employment
  Invoice for residential reimbursement
  

  
  

  BY INDUSTRY

  Innovation and Tech

  🛑 KC Ignite COVID-19 Response Accelerator
  (Source: Black & Veatch, LaunchKC)
  Do you have a solution that can reduce the severity of the coronavirus outbreak, but need help commercializing and rapidly deploying? The Black & Veatch COVID-19 Response Accelerator is designed for growing companies looking to scale emerging solutions to save lives, help communities cope, and protect the economy.
  

  National - SBIR Grants

  2019 Novel Coronavirus Medical Countermeasure Partnership Opportunities
  (Source: Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Agency)
  BARDA, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is continuing to work on identifying promising medical countermeasures and technologies to combat the 2019 novel coronavirus.

  Request for SBIR/STTR Phase I Proposals Addressing COVID-19
  (Source: National Science Foundation)
  Small businesses who are interested in submitting NSF SBIR or STTR Phase I proposals can apply through the FastLane process.

  • COVID-19 Proposal Instructions
  • FastLane Guide

  
  Agriculture + Farming

  🛑 Farmer Relief Fund
  (Source: American Farmland Trust)
  AFT’s Farmer Relief Fund will award farmers with cash grants of up to $1,000 each to help them weather the current storm of market disruptions caused by the coronavirus crisis. Initially, eligible applicants include any small and mid-size direct-market producers. These are defined as producers with annual gross revenue of between $10,000 and $1 million from sales at farmers markets and/or direct sales to restaurants, caterers, schools, stores, or makers who use farm products as inputs. 
  

  🛑 Farmers Market Promotion Program
  (Source: USDA)
  The purpose of the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) is to increase domestic consumption of, and access to, locally and regionally produced agricultural products, and to develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets by developing, improving, expanding, and providing outreach, training, and technical assistance to, or assisting in the development, improvement, and expansion of, domestic farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture programs, agritourism activities, and other direct producer-to-consumer market opportunities. 
  

  🛑 Local Food Promotion Program
  (Source: USDA) 
  The Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) offers grant funds with a 25% match to support the development and expansion of local and regional food business enterprises to increase domestic consumption of, and access to, locally and regionally produced agricultural products, and to develop new market opportunities for farm and ranch operations serving local markets. There are two types of project applications are accepted under LFPP—planning grants and implementation grants. Applicants can apply for either but will receive only one type of grant in the same grant cycle. Eligible entities may apply if they support local and regional food business enterprises that process, distribute, aggregate, or store locally or regionally produced food products. 
  

  USDA Microloan Programs
  (Source: USDA)
  The focus of Microloans is on the financing needs of small, beginning farmer, niche and non-traditional farm operations, such as truck farms, farms participating in direct marketing and sales such as farmers’ markets, CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture), restaurants and grocery stores, or those using hydroponic, aquaponic, organic and vertical growing methods.

  USDA Implements Measures to Help Rural Businesses Affected by COVID-19 
  (Source: USDA)
  USDA Rural Development has taken a number of immediate actions to help rural residents, businesses and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Rural Development will keep our customers, partners, and stakeholders continuously updated as more actions are taken to better serve rural America. 
  
  

  Arts

  Local to Kansas City
  Rocket Relief Fund Charlotte Street Foundation & Arts KC (Deadline April 18) – Artists of all disciplines
  Midwest Music Foundation : Abby's Fund – Emergency healthcare funding for musicians
  Midwest Music Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund
  Untuck Collective Mutual Aid Fund Application (Deadline March 1st) – Open to all trans women in the Kansas City metro area, prioritizing Black trans women and trans women of color. 
  

  National
  Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG)
  (source: SBA)
  As part of the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act signed into law in December 2020, the Shuttered Venue Opportunity Grant (SVOG) was created to offer COVID-19 relief to entertainment venues. The American Rescue Plan allocated an additional $1.25 billion to the program, bringing the total funding available to $16 billion.
  
  Who is eligible for a SVOG?
  According to the SBA, the following organizations may apply for a SVOG as long as they were in operation as of February 29, 2020:
  

  • Live venue operators or promoters
  • Theatrical producers
  • Live performing arts organization operators
  • Museum operators
  • Motion picture theatre operators
  • Talent representatives

  The SVOG application is slated to open April 8, 2021. Sign-up here to be informed when the application opens.

  
  Cerf+ Craft Emergency Assistance – Relief for medical expenses
  Glad Day  Emergency Survival Fund for LGBTQ2S artists, performers & tip-based workers – Living expenses  
  Artists Fellowship Financial Aid – Emergency aid to professional visual artists and families during sickness  and bereavement
  Musicians Foundation CV19 Emergency Aid – Covid-19 relief for musicians  
  Actors Fund Emergency Financial Assistance – Compiled financial resources for theater workers
  Artists and Cultural Leaders of Color Emergency Fund – One-time $200 microgrant to US-based BIPOC  artists and cultural workers
  
  St. Louis Art & Music Fund
  (Source: GoFundMe)
  This helps musicians and bands offset by canceled gigs.
  

  Arts Administrators of Color: Arts Leaders of Color Emergency Fund
  Arts Administrators of Color has created the Arts Leaders of Color Emergency Fund, which supports BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) artists and arts administrators impacted by COVID-19 through $200 microgrants.
  

  Motion Picture & Television Fund: COVID-19 Relief Fund
  The COVID-19 Relief Fund aims to help those workers in the entertainment industry who are suffering COVID-19 related hardships. Applicants must be industry members that demonstrate financial need and meet minimum earnings or hours thresholds.

  
  Fitness Industry

  🛑 Fit Pro Relief Fund
  (Source: Inspire360)

  A $500,000 relief fund for fitness professionals that have been most impacted by COVID-19, brought to you by Peter and Kathie Davis and Inspire360. Because there are limited funds, selections will be made at random for those who meet the prescribed criteria. Approximately 500 applicants who meet the criteria will receive on average $1,000 each to help meet their immediate needs. Awards will be limited to one grant per person. Apply online here.
  
  

  Restaurants and Bars
  

  Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF)
  The SBA is targeting early April to launch a phased rollout of the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF).

  The newly-approved plan sets aside $28.6 billion for qualifying restaurants, bars, brew pubs, etc. This represents a very high priority embraced by Congress. A large portion of this funding is for small businesses.
  

  To qualify:

  • Must have fewer than 20 units
  • Must not be publicly traded
  • OK for franchises with fewer than 20 units.

  The RRF will be offered directly from the SBA www.sba.gov and not through lending organizations like PPP loans. Final processes are not yet in place, but if you are considering applying for an RRF you will need the following:

  • Duns’ number www.dnb.com – free, usually within 2 days
  • SAM (System for Award Management) www.sam.gov/SAM number for doing business with the U.S. Government – free, but takes longer to finalize
  • Financial data confirming that gross revenues for 2020 are less than 2019. You can apply for the amount of money that is the difference between the two. Note that PPP funds received in 2020 count as income for 2020. EIDL loans do not count as income.

  • 
    

  Southern Smoke: Emergency Relief Program
  (Source: Southern Smoke)
  The Emergency Relief Program provides emergency funding to restaurant and bar owners and employees, as well as restaurant supplier employees, who are facing unforeseen expenses that cannot or will not be covered by insurance.
  

   

  CROWDFUNDING

  How to Use Crowdfunding to Support Your Small Business through Coronavirus
  (Source: U.S. Chamber)
  As the coronavirus pandemic continues to financially impact small businesses, a crowdfunding campaign could help you stay afloat.

  Small Business Relief Initiative
  (Source: GoFundMe)
  The Small Business Relief Initiative was started by GoFundMe to help small businesses that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and empower their communities to rally behind them. GoFundMe has partnered with Yelp, Intuit QuickBooks, GoDaddy, and Bill.com to provide small business owners with the financial support and resources needed to continue running their businesses during and after the coronavirus crisis.

  
  OTHER LOANS

  EnrichHER Business Financing
  EnrichHER provides direct loans and lines of credit up to $250K for business with at least $100K in revenue or credit scores above 680.

  Main Street New Loan Facility
  (Federal Reserve)
  The Federal Reserve released details on the Main Street New Loan Facility today. The facility is intended to facilitate lending to small and medium-sized businesses that are not eligible for the SBA Paycheck Protection Program.  Here’s some additional context from Polsinelli law firm on the Federal Reserve’s Main Street Business Lending Program.

  Mainvest and Zero-Interest Loans
  (Source: Mainvest)
  If you have an existing brick & mortar business that has been negatively effected by the COVID-19 outbreak and you launch a capital raise on Mainvest, you may be eligible to receive a $2,000 zero-interest loan immediately*. Then through your capital raise, you can receive over $100,000 of investment from your community.

  Latino credit unions and minority grant options
  (Source: Bankrate)
  In an effort to help Latino businesses rebound, Bankrate compiled the best ways for Latinos to grow their business and overcome the funding gap. Near the end of the article is a list of Latino credit unions and minority grant options.

  OTHER GRANTS
  

  🛑 Dany Garcia Presents Latinx the Mosaic Grant Program

  (Source: Hello Alice)
  Dany Garcia will award a total of $100,000 to Latinx small and new business entrepreneurs through short-term financial aid grants with the goal of keeping the entrepreneurial dream alive amidst the global pandemic. This program is dedicated to all Latinx of any origin, heritage, nationality, lineage, indigenous roots, racial background, country of birth, or ancestors before arriving in the United States.
  

  
  Benefits both new and small Latinx businesses building and trying to stay afloat during COVID-19.
  
  A financial award of $100,000 will be split equally between 10 companies.
  
  Application submission run through Hispanic Heritage Month, ENDS OCTOBER 15, 2020, and winners will be announced in December of 2020 APPLY NOW 

  
  Best Small Business Grants for 2020, Including Coronavirus Grants
  (Fundera)
  Small business owners across the country are feeling the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak and the economic ripples it’s caused. Check out these coronavirus small business grants that your business might be eligible for.
  

  And we’ve pulled out a few relevant grant opportunities below.   
  

  Beauty Industry $1,000 Relief Grants
  (Source: Beauty Changes Lives)
  These $1,000 grants will provide financial assistance to beauty professionals or students of beauty programs, whose lives have been drastically changed by the mandated closures in response to COVID-19.
  

  The Doonie Fund
  The Doonie Fund makes micro investments of $100 in Black women entrepreneurs.

  GoFundMe: Small Business Relief Fund
  (Source: GoFundMe)
  Small businesses that have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus crisis can sign up on GoFundMe to start a fundraiser to benefit their small business. If the business raises $500 on their GoFundMe and meets certain eligibility criteria, they may be considered to receive a $500 matching grant from the Small Business Relief Fund.
  

  Visa • IFundWomen Grant Program for Black women-owned businesses
  Applications are being accepted from June 30, 2020 through July 31, 2020.
  Visa has extended its partnership with IFundWomen to support Black women-owned small businesses in the United States through a new grant program and educational resources. These grants provide an opportunity for recipients to grow their businesses and continue to offer much needed services to their local (and global) communities. Within this application, you will be asked to provide imagery and a 60-sec video that tells us more about your business. Your video must be provided in the form of a link (Vimeo, YouTube, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.). Please have these assets and video link at the ready before starting your application.

  IFundWomen COVID-19 Relief Fund
  The IFW COVID-19 Relief Fund provides microgrants to women-owned businesses that are being impacted by this crisis.
  
  🛑 Ladies Who Launch Grant and Mentorship Program for Women Entrepreneurs
  

  Rooted in equity and inclusion, the year-long launch program provides an immediate cash grant of $5,000 - $25,000 USD, mentorship, advisory support, and amplification for women (female identifying and non-binary) entrepreneurs.
  
  With this program we aim to bring all three of our pillars to the forefront: Inspiration, Education, and Community to support US women business owners impacted by COVID-19 with what they need most — access to capital and a community to help them navigate through these challenging times.
  Check out the next steps below and then apply!

  Nav: Small Business Grant Contest
  The next round of Nav’s Small Business Grant opens April 2021
  (Source: Nav)
  Nav is giving grants to small businesses that tell a story of preservation and opportunity in the face of a past or ongoing challenge.
  

  Professional Beauty Association COVID-19 Relief Fund
  (Source: Professional Beauty Association)
  The PBA COVID-19 Relief Fund will provide $500 to licensed beauty professionals who are unable to work due to COVID-19. The funding is intended to be emergency aid for short-term immediate needs such as food and bills. 
  

  🛑 Red Backpack Fund
  (Source: Global Giving)
  The Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation has donated $5 million to support female entrepreneurs in the wake of COVID-19. GlobalGiving will oversee the Red Backpack Fund, making 1,000 grants of $5,000 each to female entrepreneurs in the United States to help alleviate the immediate needs and support the long-term recovery of those impacted by this crisis.
  

  Salesforce Care Small Business Grants 
  Salesforce is partnering with Ureeka to offer eligible small businesses the opportunity to receive a $10,000 grant to help them through the COVID-19 outbreak.  Grant Applications open for Missouri and Kansas on April 27.  

  🛑 Sam’s Club Small Business Grants
  (Source: LISC)
  Thanks to a $1 million grant from Sam’s Club, LISC will deploy $10,000 grants to small businesses, especially those enterprises owned or led by women, minorities and veterans, who often lack access to affordable capital. Para leer esta información en español, haga click aquí.

  🛑 Save Small Business SUSPENDED
  (Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation)
  The Save Small Business Fund is a grantmaking initiative offering short-term relief for small employers in the United States and its territories. Funded by corporate and philanthropic partners, the Save Small Business Fund is a collective effort to provide $5,000 grants to as many small employers as they can. 
  

  SheaMoisture Community Commerce Fund
  (Source: SheaMoisture)
  With SheaMoisture's $1Million Fund, small minority and women of color-owned businesses can apply for funding under different initiatives:
  

  • 🛑$100,000 Unsung Businesses

  • 🛑Black Business Relief Fund in partnership with 'We Buy Black'

  • Women of Color Entrepreneur E-Lab 

  🛑 Verizon Small Business Recover Fund -The Round 4 application period is now closed. Please register here to sign up for updates on future rounds. 
  (Source: LISC)
  These grants help small businesses fill urgent financial gaps until they can resume normal operations or until other more permanent financing becomes available.
  
  

• Loan Documents: Prepare these documents before you apply for disaster assistance

  The financial assistance programs available for COVID-19 relief have a variety of business and personal documentation required. Check the online application forms or with your banker to understand what you will need to prepare. Use the following list developed by the Missouri SBDC at UMKC as your guide.

  And do be sure to get your paperwork in order before you begin the application process. 

  
  Required Documents

  These are the minimum required documents for your EIDL application. 

  A note about personal documentation: If no one in your company has a greater than 20% stake, at least one owner will have to step up to provide this information and personally guarantee the loan. You and any business partners should begin to think about how to make that decision or share that responsibility equitably now.

  SBA Form 5 
  This is the foundation document for the application. Be sure to select “Economic Injury” as the application type. Download the SBA Form 5 form can be downloaded in preparation for the online application process.

  Past 3 Years of Business Tax Returns 
  If you’ve been in business less than three years, provide as many returns as you have filed. Tax returns hold more sway and legitimacy than internally prepared financials. There are reasons to consider filing your 2019 return as soon as possible. Do also be aware that the IRS has extended the deadline to both file and pay your taxes until July 15th. Missouri has followed suit.

  Most states have not yet extended tax filing deadlines. While that is likely to eventually happen, if you’re going to owe state taxes, we recommend still paying the amount that you’re likely to owe in state taxes before April 15.

  Past 3 Years of Personal Tax Returns 
  Anyone who owns 20% or more of your company will need to provide the last three years of their personal tax returns.

  4506-T 
  While you’ll be asked to fill in recent tax information, the SBA will have you authorize them to check with the IRS to ensure accuracy using a 4506-T form. Be sure to get your entity(s) legal names listed accurately. Download the 4506-T form. 

  2019 Income Statement 
  Show your company’s performance for each month of 2019 as well as the year’s total. Required if your 2019 taxes have not yet been filed

  2019 Balance Sheet 
  This provides perspective on what your company owned at the end of a “normal year” and whether those assets were purchased by owners (equity) or other people’s money (debt). Required if your 2019 taxes have not yet been filed.

  Personal Financial Statement 
  All company owners and investors with greater than a 20% ownership stake must provide a current listing of their personal assets, debts and net worth. Download the Personal Financial Statement form.

  Business Debt Schedule 
  This gives required details about all current debts. This form should be prepared in advance of your application. Download the Business Debt Schedule form.

  
  

  You may also need:

  
  

  2020 Monthly Income Statements 
  Further evidence of how your company was doing prior to the beginning of the pandemic response.

  Current Balance Sheet 
  This gives the most recent statement of assets, equity, and debt.

  Business Narrative 
  The SBA or any new lender will need to have some background information about your business. Create a professional business summary of:

  • Who you are and why your company was performing well prior to COVID.

  • How you’ve retooled in these unexpected circumstances:

    • This should include measurement of your decreased customer traffic, reduced sales, and other recent (and anticipated!) business harm.

    • It should also include what actions you’ve taken to solve your cash flow needs outside of this loan request.

  • How much money you need and what you will use it for:

    • You should be ready to tell the SBA what amount represents 6-months of your typical expenses. However, your loan amount will be calculated by the SBA to be the equivalent of 6 months of business expenses. As such, make double, extra sure your financial information entered is correct!

    • Loan request may not exceed $2 million

  • How you plan to be able to pay any new loan back:

    • No payments will be required until 1 year later

    • Prepare a written description of how you’ll be able to repay the loan amount (automatically amortized over 30 years to keep payments low) and the other assumptions you’ve included. The SBA knows this is unprecedented and that we’re all trying to figure things out. However, you must demonstrate ability to synthesize all that you know so far about your company, your industry, and your customers and make some best educated guesses.

    • Should ideally include 3 years of projected income statements (spread monthly for year 1) and accompanying balance sheets

  
  

  Business Licenses

  • City

  • County

  • State

  
  

  Personal Credit Score 
  All lenders will review 20+% owners’ credit history and credit scores. Even in disaster, historical evidence of repaying creditors is still the best indicator of likelihood to pay new creditors. While not something you need to actually submit like the rest of these items as lenders will independently pull this information themselves, you should proactively check all three of your credit reports and scores either directly with Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion or with a reputable aggregator like Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO).

  
  

  Entrepreneurial service agency Justine PETERSEN has resources to assist with personal credit building and repair, if necessary.

   

• Helpful Definitions: Review these terms as you prepare your application(s)

  Some terms you’ll need to know to complete the paperwork to apply for small business disaster assistance:

  Balance sheet - a financial statement that reports a company's assets, liabilities and shareholders' equity at a specific point in time. Learn more here

  If you use an accounting system, you should be able to pull a balance sheet for the required time period. If you do not, there are templates available on line that you can fill in.

  Business debt schedule (also called schedule of liabilities) - gives required details about all current debts. The SBA has a preferred method of presenting that information. https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/tools_sbf_sba202.pdf

  Income statement (also known as profit and Loss statement or earnings statement) - a financial statement that summarizes the revenues, costs, and expenses incurred during a specified period, usually a fiscal quarter or year. These records provide information about a company's ability or inability to generate profit by increasing revenue, reducing costs, or both. Learn more here

  If you use an accounting system, you should be able to pull a profit and loss statement for the required time period. SCORE offers Financial Statements Templates: https://www.score.org/resource/business-planning-financial-statements-template-gallery

  Personal credit score - a statistical number that evaluates a consumer's creditworthiness and is based on credit history: number of open accounts, total levels of debt, and repayment history. Lenders use credit scores to evaluate the probability that an individual will repay loans in a timely manner. You should proactively check all three of your credit reports and scores either directly with Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion or with a reputable aggregator like Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO).

  Personal financial statement - a document or spreadsheet outlining an individual's financial position at a given point in time. A personal financial statement will typically include general information about the individual, such as name and address, along with a breakdown of total assets and liabilities. The SBA has a preferred method of presenting that information. https://www.sba.gov/document/sba-form-413-personal-financial-statement-7a504-loans-surety-bonds

   

• Tax Relief

  Coronavirus Tax Relief and Economic Impact Payments
  (Source: IRS)
  The IRS offers tax help for taxpayers, businesses, tax-exempt organizations and others – including health plans – affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).

  Two refundable payroll tax credits help reimburse small and midsize businesses, dollar for dollar, for the cost of providing coronavirus-related leave. 

  • Deferral of Employer-side FICA Payroll Taxes - can defer the employer portion of FICA taxes through the end of 2020, with all 2020 deferred amounts due in two equal installments, one at the end of 2021, the other at the end of 2022. 

  • Employee Retention Tax Credit - adds a tax credit for employers to encourage businesses to keep workers on payroll during the crisis. 

  • Filing and Payment Deadlines: Q&A 

  More on Employee Retention Tax Credit
  (Source: IRS and Kansas SBDC)
  Employee Retention Tax Credits could pay for 50% of your payroll for the rest of 2020 if:

  • you can afford to still pay at least 50% of your payroll for the near future

  • your business has suffered a significant loss due to COVID-19 (defined as a quarter being 50% less than the same quarter last year)

  • you think that the economic injury might continue (the tax credit only lasts until a subsequent quarter hits 80% of the same quarter last year, or Jan. 1, 2021)

  Compare that to the Paycheck Protection Program, which offers a forgivable loan equal to 8 weeks of payroll and a small portion of non-payroll expenses. 

  Work with your accountant and run the numbers. While you can do the EIDL and PPP (as long as they’re for different expenses), you can’t do the Employee Retention Tax Credit and the PPP, so find out which one is best for your business. 

  All You Wanted To Know about Maximizing Your Tax Credits through the CARES Act
  (Source: Markowitz Accounting)
  The ERTC is the gift that could potentially keep on giving, quarter after quarter for the rest of the year.

  All You Wanted to Know about the Employee Retention Tax Credit
  (Source: Markowitz Accounting)
  Assuming you have under 100 employees, the ERTC is a credit of 50% of all qualified wages in a given quarter.

  
  

  STATE

  Tracking State Legislate Responses to COVID-19
  (Source: Tax Foundation)
  The Tax Foundation provides information on state legislatures’ schedules, adjustments and status of the state’s budget, and the state’s rainy day fund (RDF) balance as a percentage of the prior year’s general fund budget.
  

  Kansas Tax Relief
  The filing and payment date for state income taxes and privilege tax is extended from April 15 to July 15, 2020. This does not apply to estimated tax payments due April 15, 2020. See Executive Order No. 20-13.

  Missouri Extends Tax Filing Deadline to July 15, 2020
  (Source: Missouri Department of Revenue)
  The filing deadline for tax returns has been extended from April 15 to July 15, 2020. Mirroring the federal guidance issued by the IRS, the Missouri Department of Revenue announced that it will provide special tax filing and payment relief to individuals and corporations in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. 

  
  FEDERAL

  Tax Credits through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
  (Source: BKD CPAs and Advisors)
  BKD walks you through the details, but here’s the high level information: 

  • Payroll Credits for Required Paid Sick & Family Leave: The paid sick time payroll tax credit can be claimed on a quarterly basis, equal to 100% of the amount of sick leave wages paid. The credit is refundable if it exceeds the amount the employer owes in payroll tax.

  • Credits for Sick & Family Leave for Certain Self-Employed Individuals: Self-employed workers, including independent contractors and gig economy workers, also can claim a credit against their regular income taxes related to sick or family leave.

  Forgivable Paycheck Loan or Tax Credit: You Can’t Claim Both, Which Is Better?
  (Source: Forbes)
  You cannot get both a small business loan under the PPP and also claim a tax credit, so some comparison is needed.SBA lenders have details, though there has been controversy and hiccups in rolling out the program.

  IRS Coronavirus Tax Relief Center
  (Source: IRS)
  The filing deadline for tax returns has been extended from April 15 to July 15, 2020. The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service are providing special tax filing and payment relief to individuals and businesses in response to the COVID-19 Outbreak.

  Filing and Payment Deadline Questions and Answers
  (Source: IRS) 
  These Q&As address the federal filing and payment extension to July 15 due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. These Q&As currently include information on the additional extension to Oct. 15, first quarter estimated tax payments, IRAs and HSAs.