Free Tools, Resources and non Government Financial Help

Non government grants, ad credits and other support

  • Facebook Small Business Grants Program – will provide $100 million in cash and ad credits to 30,000 businesses in the 30 countries where Facebook operates. Not taking applications yet, but businesses can sign up for updates.
  • Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund- the James Beard Foundation is gathering support from other donors to fund this program that will provide micro-grants to independent food and beverage businesses in need. Currently working on application materials, interested organizations are asked to fill out an online form and they will send out information when it is ready.  
  • Yelp – to help local restaurants and bars, Yelp announced $25 million in relief in the form of waived advertising fees, free advertising, and products and services. Check it out for more information on eligibility and restrictions. 
  • Small Business Relief Fund – GoFundMe, Yelp and Intuit Quickbooks have each donated $500,000.  Currently still seeking additional donations, but will eventually offer $500 matching grants to small businesses across the states starting with the hardest hit areas that raise at least $500 on GoFundMe. 

Leeway from Financial Institutions

Banks and credit card companies are offering assistance to customers experiencing financial hardships due to COVID-19 related business closures. Customers may have late fees waived or receive assistance with minimum payments.  If you don’t see yours, below, call.  Financial institutions encourage customers to contact customer service for assistance. 

 

Telecomuniting Resources

Small Business eGift Cards Information

  • Yiftee– eGiftCard platform allowing shoppers to buy and send gift cards via email and text directly from their local merchants. Platform says it will work with your existing POS.  No technology integration, special devices or training. 
  • Giftfly – eGift Card platform for local businesses allowing shoppers to buy and send gift cards via email and text directly from their local merchants online.  
  • Kabbage – Online hub to help boost gift certificate sales for small businesses. The service is free; however, there is a 2.5 percent payment processing charge per gift certificate that goes to the third party facilitating the service. Please note – Kabbage can hold up to 10% of the settlement funds in reserve until the gift certificate has either been redeemed or remains unredeemed for 18 months after the purchase date.  
  • Squareup | Square – launch a complete gifting program with online and plastic gift cards. Square is refunding all software subscription fees for the month of March for existing sellers.

Social Media Services

  • Hootsuite, the social media management platform, is offering free access to its professional plan through July 1. This requires a credit card – which will not be charged and you will not be enrolled in auto-renewal. There are options if no credit card is available, but will take time due to high demand.