Help is there for you.
Learning more about the recently passed federal CARE Act, intended to help blunt the worst economic impacts of the pandemic on individuals, businesses and nonprofits, will be critical for many SCFD organizations. Fortunately, there are resources available to help you learn more, and in consultation with your advisers, make good decisions for now and for the future.
- 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
The CARE Act also makes important changes to encourage charitable giving including creating a new above-the-line deduction (universal or non-itemizer deduction that applies to all taxpayers) for total charitable contributions of up to $300, eliminating the current 60 percent income cap on annual contributions for those who itemize in 2020 and raising the annual limit from 10 percent to 15 percent for corporate donations.
COVID-19-Related Resources in Colorado
During this difficult time, it’s important to stay connected to resources that can help you and your organization. Here are some options for finding what you need:
- 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.
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.