COVID-19 Business Resources – San Francisco

The following are resources available to support freelancers, independent artists, and small businesses impacted by COVID-19 in the City of San Francisco.

The following is a list of local, state, and national resources for any type of business in San Francisco.

• [General] San Francisco Announces Measures to Support Small Businesses in Response to COVID-19: On March 11, Mayor London N. Breed announced measures to support small businesses in San Francisco that are experiencing a slowdown in business as a result of COVID‑19. Measures include deferral of business taxes and licensing fees, launch of economic relief fund, and other support efforts aim to help struggling small businesses and workers.
• [General] City of San Francisco Assistance and Guidance for Businesses and Workers Impacted by COVID-19: City of San Francisco’s Office of Economic & Workforce Development resources for San Francisco employers and employees concerning the COVID-19 outbreak
• [General] California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development: The State of California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development has compiled information for employers, employees, and all Californians as it relates to the COVID-19 outbreak.
• [General] CAMEO Network Coronavirus Resources for Business: Resource list for California businesses curated by California Association for Microenterprise Opportunity.
• [General] Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19: Business guidance and resources from the United States Small Business Administration.
• [Taxes] City of San Francisco Deferral of Business Taxes and License Fees: The City of San Francisco’s Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector will defer taxes for certain businesses and defer certain license fees.
• [Taxes] IRS: The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service announced that distribution of economic impact payments will begin in mid-April and will be distributed automatically, with no action required for most people.
• [Taxes] IRS Tax Day Now July 15: The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced today that the federal income tax filing due date is automatically extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.
• [Taxes] State of California Postpones Tax Deadline Until July 15: The State of California Franchise Tax Board is postponing until July 15 the filing and payment deadlines for all individuals and business entities for 2019 tax returns and tax return payments.
• [Health Insurance] Covered California: Because of COVID-19, people can apply now for health insurance coverage if they are uninsured and eligible.

The following is a list of housing and utility resources for individuals in San Francisco.

• [Housing] Executive Order to Protect Renters and Homeowners: On March 16, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom today issued an executive order that authorizes local governments to halt evictions for renters and homeowners, slows foreclosures, and protects against utility shutoffs for Californians affected by COVID-19.
• [Housing] City of San Francisco’s Temporary Moratorium on Residential Evictions: On March 23, 2020, Mayor Breed ordered that no landlord may attempt to recover possession of a residential unit unless due to violence, threats of violence, or health and safety issues. This moratorium will last for 60 days after the Mayor’s Order expires.
• [Utilities] City and County of San Francisco: San Francisco to Suspend Power and Water Shutoffs, Waive Penalties and Interest for Delinquent Payments.
• [Utilities] PG&E: PG&E announces a moratorium on customer shutoffs for nonpayment.
• [Utilities] Comcast:  Comcast’s comprehensive plan COVID-19 plan to help keep Americans connected to the Internet.
• [Utilities] AT&T: Request a waiver of late fees and overage charges due to impact of COVID-19.
• [Utilities] Verizon: If you are experiencing hardship because of COVID-19 and cannot pay your bill in full, Verizon will not charge you a late fee or terminate your service during this difficult period. To qualify, you must let Verizon know about your hardship.

The following is a list of resources for freelancers and independent contractors in San Francisco.

• [General] Freelance Co-op: A Freelancer’s Guide to the CARES Act. 
• [Funding] KQED – Emergency Funds for Freelancers, Creatives Losing Income from Coronavirus: List of local and national emergency funds for freelancers and creatives.
• [Funding] The National Domestic Workers Alliance: Emergency assistance of $4 million to support 10,000 gig workers, including in-home care workers, nannies, and house cleaners.
• [Business Support] Freelancers Union: What freelancers need to know about coronavirus.

The following is a list of resources for independent artists in San Francisco.

• [Funding] The Safety Net Fund: A non-profit designed to support artists in the Bay Area during COVID-19.
• [Funding] KQED – Emergency Funds for Freelancers, Creatives Losing Income from Coronavirus: List of local and national emergency funds for freelancers and creatives.
• [Funding] COVID-19 & Freelancer Artists – Emergency Funding: List of national grants, relief funds, crowdfunding and collective action efforts for emergency funding for independent artists.
• [Funding] San Francisco Arts & Artists Relief Fund: Mayor London Breed announced $1.5 million towards grants to individual artists, teaching artists, and small- to mid- budget sized arts and cultural organizations administered by the Center for Cultural Innovation. Individuals may apply for up to $2,000.
• [Funding & Business Support] Creative Capital List of Arts Resources During the COVID-19 Outbreak: List of funding and business support resources for artists.
• [Business Support] COVID-19 & Freelancer Artists – Working, Gathering & Teaching Online: List of resources to support independent artists in working, gathering, and teaching online.

The following is a list of resources for small businesses in San Francisco.

Funding Resources

A majority of the funding support for small businesses at this time is in the form of loans. We do not recommend loans as a means for funding unless your business fills an essential need in the current environment or provides a product or service that will likely withstand the economic impact of this crisis over the next few years.

• [Crowdfunding] GoFundMe: The GoFundMe Small Business Relief Initiative is intended to support local businesses facing financial loss.
• [Grants] Black Business Relief Fund: Collaboration between Shea Moisture and We Buy Black to provide business grants to We Buy Black businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• [Grants] San Francisco COVID-19 Small Business Resiliency Fund: The COVID-19 Small Business Resiliency Fund allows impacted small business owners to access up to $10,000 for employee salaries and rent.
• [Grants] Facebook Small Business Grants: Facebook is offering $100MM in small grants and credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in the 30 countries in which it operates.
• [Grants] Hello Alice Business for All Grant: Hello Alice is providing business grants to help small businesses in crisis. Grants up to $10,000 awarded on rolling basis.
• [Grants] The James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund: The purpose of the James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund is to provide critical financial assistance to small, independent restaurants that, due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) national disaster, have an immediate need for funds to pay set operating expenses and keep from going out of business.
• [Grants] The Red Backpack Fund: Sara Blakely, Founder of Spanx, has established a fund to provide business grants to female entrepreneurs. Grants up to $5,000.
• [Grants] Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund: With a $2.5 million investment from Verizon, LISC is offering grants to help small businesses fill urgent financial gaps until they can resume normal operations or until other more permanent financing becomes available.
• [Loans] City of San Francisco Revolving Loan Fund: Loans from $10,000 – $250,000 through Main Street Launch.
• [Loans] City of San Francisco Emerging Business Loan Fund: Loans from $50,000 – $250,000 through Main Street Launch.
• [Loans] Jewish Free Loan Association: No-fee and interest-free loan of up to $10,000 to cover business losses, lost wages, child care costs, and lost travel funds.
• [Loans] Kiva: Effective immediately, applicants for a Kiva crowdfunded loan will have access to expanded eligibility, crowdfunding limit increase to $15,000, and a grace period of up to 6 months.
• [Loans] Pacific Community Ventures: Loans from $10,000 – $250,000.
• [Loans] SBA Disaster Assistance Loan Program: The U.S. Small Business Administration announced on March 12 that it will provide disaster assistance loans for small businesses impacted by COVID-19.
• [Loans] SBA Paycheck Protection Program: The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.
• [Loans] Working Solutions: Loans from $5,000 – $50,000.

Employer Support

The following is a list of resources if your small business has employees or worker-owners in San Francisco.

• [Paid Sick Leave] City of San Francisco Workers and Families First: The City will contribute up to 40 hours of additional paid sick leave time extended to employees beyond existing policies through the Workers and Families First Program.
• [Paid Sick Leave] Employee Paid Sick Leave Information: Information on the State of California’s Paid Sick Leave laws enforced by the California Labor Commissioner’s Office.
• [Telecommuting] Resources for Managing Teleworkers: Employers may be able to avert layoffs or work reduction by offering flexibility in work location and hours through telecommuting.
• [Unemployment Claims] Filing an Unemployment Insurance Claim: Information on how your employees can file unemployment insurance claims in the event of reduced hours or lay-offs.
• [Work Sharing] Work Sharing Program: California’s work sharing provides employers with an alternative to lay-offs if a temporary reduction in workforce is needed.
• [Worker Support] Bartender Emergency Assistance Fund: USBG National Charity Foundation’s emergency assistance fund for individuals employed as bartenders or the spouse or child of a bartender.
• [Worker Support] California Restaurant Association: Restaurants Care offers emergency assistance to California restaurant workers experiencing unexpected hardship. Typical grants range from $250-$1500. 
• [Worker Support] One Fair Wage Emergency Fund: Financial support for restaurant workers, gig worker and other hourly workers are facing unprecedented economic hardship from the coronavirus crisis.
• [Worker Support] Restaurant Cares: The California Restaurant Association Foundation, a nonprofit that supports the state’s restaurant workforce through educational grants, has an emergency loan program to help restaurant workers cover basic living expenses.
• [Worker Support] Restaurant Workers Community Foundation: Resources for restaurants and their workers coping with the COVID-19 emergency.
• [Payroll Taxes] Request Extension on State Payroll Taxes: Employers may request up to a 60-day extension of time from the State of California’s Employment Development Department to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest.
• [Worker Support] ROC United Fund: Restaurant Opportunities Centers United is providing resources and financial assistance to restaurant workers impacted by the coronavirus crisis.

Commercial Rent

The following is a list of resources if your small business is renting a commercial property in San Francisco.

• Moratorium on Commercial Evictions for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses in San Francisco: On March 17, Mayor London N. Breed announced a moratorium on commercial evictions for small and medium-sized businesses related to financial impacts caused by COVID-19. The moratorium will prevent any small to medium-sized business from being evicted due to a loss of income related to lost revenue or other economic impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Leasing and Legal Assistance: Through its partnership with the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Legal Services for Entrepreneurs, the City of San Francisco helps San Francisco small businesses work with their landlords for lease negotiation, legal consultation, and related services.