COVID-19 Resource Page
To help our nonprofit partners and the communities they serve, we set out to build a list of resources where people can find vital information about meeting immediate needs during the COVID-19 crisis. We will monitor and update this page frequently. Please help spread the word by sharing our short URL on social media: racf.org/COVID.
We are all trying to better understand what meaningful assistance the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act can provide.
April 16 update from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for small businesses hit the limit and is now out of money. If you have already submitted a PPP application with a lender, here is what you need to know:
- If your loan has been approved with a SBA set-aside number, your loan was approved under the initial CARES Act appropriation. The funds will be disbursed in accordance with the lender’s closing process.
- If you submitted an application with a lender and received an internal lender approval without a SBA approval and set-aside number, check with the lender on your application’s status.
- If you submitted an application and have not received a communication from the lender related to the loan approval, the lender will not be able to process those loans at this time.
- If you have questions related to your application, contact your lender.
CARES Act Briefing
On April 3, Rochester Area Community Foundation pulled together a panel of experts to provide helpful details regarding tax relief, the Paycheck Protection and Economic Injury Disaster loan programs and how to apply, and other practical matters of interest to nonprofits.
This briefing features local experts Joshua Gewolb, attorney with Harter Secrest & Emery LLP, and Jon Fogle of Five Star Bank, a Small Business Administration lender. Todd Butler, president and CEO of Causewave Community Partners, shares how nonprofits can take advantage of free virtual consultations with his staff to help with COVID-19 planning and resources.
April 8: In a follow-up Q&A session on benefits of the CARES Act, Jon Fogle of Five Star Bank and Todd Butler of Causewave Community Partners are joined by attorney Emily Cohen from Harter Secrest & Emery LLP. They provide updated information learned over the weekend and answer questions submitted by our nonprofit partners.
Additional Resources for Nonprofits
- Small Business Administration: Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources
- Causewave Community Partners: Free COVID-19-Related Consultations
- Council on Nonprofits: COVID-19 Resources for Nonprofits
- Five Star Bank: Financial Relief and SBA Lending
- Senator Kirsten Gillibrand: CARES Act Section-by-Section Summary
Additional Resources for Small Businesses
- Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce: Coronavirus Planning Resources for Business
- Harter Secrest & Emery LLP: Navigating the CARES Act (Video)
Performing in a Pandemic
The Community Foundation recorded another installment of a community conversation about the performing arts on June 23, 2020 called “Performing in a Pandemic: Safety Guidance from Dr. Stuart Weiss.” Topics included the mechanics of transmission during various activities — such as singing, dancing, exercise, acting, and playing a musical instrument — and the various methods that performers and venues can employ to mitigate and reduce virus transmission, such as rehearsing outdoors, using face coverings when unable to be outdoors or distance, maintaining physical distance, and using specific cleaning protocols and pre-performance communication with audiences. The recreation and entertainment sectors are expected to begin reopening in phase four. Special thanks to Rochester Fringe Festival for partnering with the Community Foundation to present the webinar. Erica Fee, the festival’s producer, and Simeon Banister, the Foundation’s vice president of Community Programs, posed questions from the audience during the webinar.
Here are mores resources for safety information about reopening the arts:
- Register for Dr. Weiss’ weekly webinar here.
- Event Safety Alliance Reopening Guide
- Association for Performing Arts Professionals COVID-19 Resources
- Performing Arts Center Consortium Guide to Reopening Theatre Venues
Safely Reopening the Performing Arts
The Community Foundation recorded the third part of a community conversation about the arts on June 3, 2020. Topics included safety considerations and risks of singing and live performances, as well as adaptations that will be required for dance and outdoor concerts or shows once the state approves reopening of recreation and entertainment expected in phase four. We thank our panel of experts for partnering with the Community Foundation on this presentation: Dr. Michael Mendoza, commissioner of public health for the Monroe County Health Department; Marc Cohen, chief of staff for the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce; and Erica Fee, head of the Rochester Fringe Festival. We want to hear your questions or concerns regarding the reopening of the arts in phase four. Please send to Annette Jiménez Gleason at ajimenezgleason@racf.org.
Guidelines referenced in this webinar can be found at these links and attachments: APAP COVID-19 Resources, PACC Reopening Advisory Draft (PDF), and the Event Safety Alliance Reopening Guide (PDF).
Impact and Recovery for the Arts in Greater Rochester
Community Conversation, Part 1
On May 1, 2020, the Community Foundation recorded a webinar with local experts about recovery planning and strategies for continued engagement with audiences during the COVID-19 crisis. We thank our panel of knowledgeable leaders who represent different sectors of the Foundation’s nonprofit partners: Chris Mannelli of Geva Theatre Center; Hillary Olson of Rochester Museum & Science Center; Erica Fee of Rochester Fringe Festival; Curt Long of Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra; Bill Ferguson of Garth Fagan Dance; and Bleu Cease of Rochester Contemporary Art Center. Simeon Banister, vice president of Community Programs at the Foundation, also spoke about data and analysis of the financial health of organizations pre- and post-COVID.
Community Conversation, Part 2
On May 12, we recorded the second part of the community conversation about recovery for the arts. Topics included how small arts organizations and artists are: employing innovation in technology; developing creative strategies for continued engagement with audiences; and reaching out to new audiences during the crisis.
We thank our panel of experts: Annette Ramos of Rochester Latino Theatre Company; Larry Moss of Airigami and Teaching ArtistsROC; Kelly Cheatle of ROC Arts United; Don Bartolo of hummingbird theatre and TheatreROCS!; Rachel DeGuzman of WOC Art Collaborative; and Zahyia Rolle, booking manager/musician. Bleu Cease of Rochester Contemporary Art Center discussed a special project, and the Community Foundation’s Simeon Banister presented data and analysis of the financial health of organizations pre- and post-COVID.
Investment Briefing with Mike Miller
Mike Miller of Colonial Consulting joined us on May 13 for an informative investment briefing and Q&A. Mike touched on several topics of interest to fundholders:
- A short history of blended endowment drawdowns and how they’ve recovered in the past;
- The Community Foundation’s asset mix, long-term investment strategy, and plan moving forward;
- Fund manager due diligence (i.e., “managing the managers”); and
- Key issues for investment managers today (balance, opportunities, and traps).
The recording of Mike’s presentation is now available for anyone who missed the live webinar.