Faith Leaders on COVID-19

April 3, 2020 – Amanda Robbins, Associate Director

Funding Opportunity – Paycheck Protection Program (PPP):

The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses and eligible nonprofits by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses. Yesterday, the Administration issued an interim final rule that clarifies how the affiliation provision impacts faith-based entities.

We have attached a FAQ for the PPP and EIDL loan programs that clarifies how your house of worship or organization can access these funds. The FAQ makes it clear that all faith-based entities are eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans in accordance with their sincerely held beliefs. Please keep in mind, organizations have until the program ends of June 30, 2020 OR until the program reaches its $350 billion cap to apply. For more information and updates, visit Treasury.gov/CARES and SBA.gov/PayCheckProtection.

·       Paycheck Protection Program – Applicable Affiliation Rules

·       Paycheck Protection Program – Interim Final Rule on Affiliation

·       If you’re a borrower, more information can be found HERE

·       PPP Borrower Application Form (Updated 4/2/20)

·       Find an eligible lender

30 Days to Slow the Spread

President Trump announced updated guidelines this week to continue slowing the spread of Coronavirus in America. This 30-day window will be crucial: If every American does his or her part, the latest model suggests we could save 1 million or more U.S. lives. Please click here for more information: 30 Days to Slow the Spread (Español)

U.S. Department of Labor Announcement on Paid Leave

The U.S. Department of Labor announced new action regarding how American workers and employers will benefit from the protections and relief offered by the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, both part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). FFCRA will help the United States combat and defeat COVID-19 by reimbursing American private employers that have fewer than 500 employees with tax credits for the cost of providing employees with paid leave taken for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The legislation will ensure that workers are not forced to choose between their paychecks and the public health measures needed to combat the virus, while at the same time reimbursing businesses.

For more information, visit https:/www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/ffcra.

How to Help – If you or your organization are interested in helping the effort to combat the spread of COVID-19, FEMA has established a website (www.fema.gov/coronavirus/how-to-help) with more information. Examples for the private sector include:

·        To sell medical supplies or equipment to the federal government, please submit a price quote under the COVID-19 PPE and Medical Supplies Request for Quotation. Full details can be found in the solicitation (Notice ID 70FA2020R00000011). 

o   This solicitation requires registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to be considered for award, pursuant to applicable regulations and guidelines.  Registration information can be found at www.sam.gov.  Registration must be “ACTIVE” at the time of award.

·        If you have medical supplies or equipment to donate, please provide us details on what you are offering.

·        If you are a private company that wants to produce a product related to the COVID response – email nbeoc@max.gov.

·        If you are a hospital or healthcare provider in need of medical supplies, please contact your state, local, tribal or territory department of public health and/or emergency management agency.

·        If you are interested in doing business with FEMA and supporting the response to COVID- 19 with your company’s non-medical goods and/or services, please submit your inquiry to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Procurement Action Innovative Response Team (PAIR) team at DHSIndustryLiaison@hq.dhs.gov.

For additional information please visit FEMA’s website: https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus/.

For the most up-to-date information, please see the CDC’s website: www.coronavirus.gov

The President’s Coronavirus Guidelines for America

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