Help is there for you.

• SCFD Guide to the CARE Act for organizations with less than 500 employees
• The Small Business Administration’s COVID-19 Resource page
• The National Endowment for the Arts FAQs
• The National Council of Nonprofit’s comparison of loan options
• Americans for the Arts COVID-19 response and resource center

• If your organization needs help understanding the new “Safer at Home” Policies you can learn more. This site will also allow you to search your county- and city-specific orders as well.
• Gov. Polis has launched a web portal Help Colorado Now, which includes opportunities to request funding for organizations in need of support
• SCFD has a small list of resources for food and other assistance
• CBCA has an extensive list of resources to support working artists and organizations
• The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment has resources to support both newly unemployed individuals as well as businesses. The new federal stimulus package includes opportunities for self-employed individuals to apply for unemployment.
• The Office of Economic Development and International Trade has resources for small businesses and non-profits. You can also join regional webinars to support you in learning more about resources available to help.

Douglas County non-profit grant opportunity

Non-profit organizations that serve Douglas County residents may be eligible for COVID-19 impact reimbursement grants funded through the County’s share of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, distributed through the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). The program aims to reimburse nonprofit organizations a portion of the expenses incurred as they adjusted and adapted to public health restrictions and continued to serve our community while complying with COVID-19 public health order guidelines.   Deadline for applications: 5 p.m. on Sept. 30.

You can learn more or direct questions to DCNonprofitGrants@douglas.co.us or to 303-660-7460.

Free Personal Protective Equipment

Free Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits are available to small businesses and non-profits. Each kit, valued at over $300, will include sanitizer, disinfectant, gloves, masks, face shields and a thermometer. Kits will be available on a first come, first serve basis beginning August 3. Learn more here.

Energize Colorado Gap Fund opportunity for grants and loans

The Colorado State Legislature approved Senate Bill 222 which will provide $25 million in federal CARES Act funding for grants and loans to Colorado small businesses. Of this total amount, $5 million is dedicated to businesses in the tourism industry including hotels, restaurants, private travel attractions, casinos, outdoor recreation, ski, tourism-related transportation, destination marketing, cultural events, and facility groups. The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade is administering this new program known as the Energize Colorado Gap Fund. Businesses may apply for a grant up to $15,000 and a loan up to $20,000 for total assistance up to $35,000. The application will be live no later than August 1. Learn more here.

As our arts and culture organizations necessarily go dark, your well-being is critical. In these difficult times, there are resources to help.

• Foundations are stepping up to help working artists and organizations during the shutdown. Here are just a few options: The Denver Actors Fund, The Actors Fund, Musicians Foundation and The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation.
• Hunger Free Colorado has information to connect you with food resources if you need them including school meal sites, food pantries and other forms of assistance.
• The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment has assistance for workers and employers during temporary closures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance includes information for employees filing for unemployment insurance claims, as well as information on programs available for employers state workshare program that pays half the cost of an employee’s wages.
• Individuals laid off during the pandemic may also be eligible for unemployment. You can learn more and apply

Other Opportunities

Partnership with Mellon Foundation offers relief and recovery grants to support under-resourced arts and culture organizations in the West:  The US Regional Arts Resilience Fund was created as an urgent response to the impact of COVID-19 on the nation’s arts organizations. Through the WESTAF Regional Arts Resilience Fund, WESTAF will administer the re-granting of over $1.7 million across it’s 13-state region in the fall of 2020 through approximately 30-40 awards ranging from $30,000 to $75,000, with a few exceptional $100,000 grants.Nominations for arts organizations that meet the eligibility criteria and operate in the 13-state western region (Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawai‘i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming) will be accepted online through this form. Deadline for nominations is Friday, July 31, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time.

COVID-19 Related Resources – County Based