COVID-19 | Resources for the Community

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the Upper Manhattan community, UMEZ is compiling resources for small businesses and organizations to apply for financing in this difficult time and for application guidance. As we hear of more opportunities, we will continue to update this list. If you would like to submit a resource, please submit your suggestion here for consideration.

Small Businesses

• UMEZ Hybrid Microloan Program

• Restaurant Revitalization Fund (SBA)

• New York City Small Business Services (SBS)

• U.S. Small Business Association (SBA)

• U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship - CARES Act

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Guide to the CARES Act

• City Bar Justice Center - COVID-19 Small Business Remote Legal Clinic

• New York Forward Loan Fund

• Columbia Emergency Loan Fund for Small Businesses

• NYC Human Resources Administration Restaurant Revitalization Program

• PPP Education Loan Center with Ponce Bank

For current UMEZ small business borrowers, please learn more here about the EZ Tax Credits and IRS Form 8844.

For guidance on reopening as well as searching for financing options, contact the New York City hotline 311 and visit the New York Forward Reopening Wizard.

• Agency: Small Business Services

• Division: NYC Business Restart Hotline

• Phone Number: (888) 727-4692

• Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

Cultural Resources

Resources for Organizations 

• The Black Seed Fund

• Nonprofit Finance Fund  

• FMA - Paycheck Protection Program Toolbox

• New York Forward Loan Fund

Resources for Individual Artists 

• Actors Fund Covid-19 Emergency Relief

• Afro Latin Jazz Alliance Emergency Artist Fund

• Artist Relief Fund

• Artists Thrive 

• Arts Loan Fund 

• Creative Capital 

• Foundation for Contemporary Arts COVID-19 Relief Fund 

• Jazz Foundation of America COVID-19 Musician’s Emergency Fund

• NYFA Emergency Resources

• Surdna Foundation Regranting Initiative Supporting Artists of Color

Resources for both Organizations and Artists 

• Americans for the Arts CARES Act Funding Table

• FCA Emergency Grants COVID-19 Fund

Resources More General 

• Candid  

• Grantmakers in the Arts    

• NYSCA Resources: Start Here

• Non-Profit Quarterly - Resource Page Describing How the New CARES Act Can Help Nonprofits 

• Theater Communications Group 

• National Endowment for the Arts

Workforce Opportunity Investments

• 1199SEIU League

  In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the support that the New York City healthcare system needs to respond to the pandemic, Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a plea to retirees and healthcare workers to join the workforce.  Our partner 1199SEIU League is actively recruiting workers to assist in hospitals and nursing homes. For workforce development providers that have clients with experience in healthcare or who are interested in entry level positions, jobseekers can apply to the 1199SEIU Employment Center here.

• NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund for non-profits 

• The Robin Hood COVID-19 Relief Fund 

Please check back for more resources as we are being updated on more financing opportunities for the community.