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Over the past few weeks, I have advised many nonprofit leaders as they considered and applied for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) created by the CARES Act. As a newly created forgivable loan program, we have all learned a great deal during this process. With the announcement from the Small Business Administration (SBA) that appropriated funds for the program have been exhausted, I thought it would be a good time to pause and reflect on lessons learned so far from the PPP process that might help nonprofits if and when the program reopens.
1 Prepare.
The single most important factor in getting nonprofits approved under the PPP in a timely fashion is preparation. While the PPP application itself is straightforward, and can be completed online in a matter of minutes, preparing to file the application requires the gathering of appropriate documentation, and attention to detail. Nonprofit leaders should ensure they have the following supporting documentation when applying (where available):
Salary and Wage Information:
Company w-2s, quarterly form 941 filings, or payroll company reports
Employer Tax Contributions: Forms or payroll reports documenting employer state and local tax contributions
Employer Benefit Contributions: Group health insurance plan invoices Retirement plan contribution reports
2. Obtain Board Approval.
At its most basic level, the PPP is a loan program from the federal government administered through individual banks. While the program provides opportunities for all or a portion of the loan amount to be forgiven, nonprofits must understand and accept that any portion not forgiven will be treated as a loan that must be repaid. It is recommended that nonprofit leaders secure Board approval to apply for the loan, and some banks may even request proof through a Board resolution.
3. Select your bank wisely.
There is no way to sugarcoat this -- the bank applicants choose to apply through unquestionably matters. Countless nonprofit leaders have experienced the frustration of broken online portals, lack of responsiveness, repeated requests for the same information already provided. Though it may be an overgeneralization, I have found that smaller, local banks have fared far better in submitting applications in a times fashion, securing approval, and disbursing funds than large mega-banks. Also, while many banks require the organization to have an existing banking relationship in order to apply, that is not universally the case. Banks accepting applications from non-account holders include:
Nonprofits may also consider applying through Paypal, Intuit, Square, and others.
4. Be meticulous in recordkeeping.
As mentioned earlier, the loan obtained under the PPP may be forgiven if specific conditions are met. While we know what the law says about the amounts that can be forgiven, the rules regarding the forgiveness process have yet to be published. Nevertheless, just as preparation was a key to a successful application, I fully expect meticulous recordkeeping to be a key to a successful request for loan forgiveness. Nonprofits should keep all receipts for amounts paid using loan funds, write hard checks where possible, keep all invoices, and be prepared to produce accurate payroll reports substantiating the use of the loan funds.
While we all await Congressional action relative to funding the PPP, it is my hope these tips provide guidance for you and your organization if and when the PPP again begins funding nonprofits. As always, Nielsen Training & Consulting is here to keep you informed, answer your questions, and partner with you.
Highly effective Boards remain informed and engaged throughout the year. However, the need for Board leaders to be appropriately engaged and active is heightened during challenging times. This webinar explores the ways in which nonprofit Boards should respond in times of crisis, such as many are experiencing now with the COVID-19 outbreak.
I recently led a free webinar entitled “Board Leadership in Challenging Times.” I am making the video recording of the webinar available below. If you have questions or would like to discuss ways to deepen the engagement and performance of your Board, let’s connect!
Highly effective Boards remain informed and engaged throughout the year. However, the need for Board leaders to be appropriately engaged and active is heightened during challenging times. This webinar explores the ways in which nonprofit Boards should respond in times of crisis, such as many are experiencing now with the COVID-19 outbreak. Emphasis will be placed on the duties of Board members, and vital role in communications, financial management, staff safety, and governance during times of crisis.
Nonprofit leaders, Board and staff members, and volunteers — you inspire me with your leadership and sacrifice each day. The survival of nonprofits is about far more than the ability of organizations to continue existing. It is about the survival of communities, the survival of the most vulnerable, the survival of compassion, and the survival of our values.
You are not alone. We are in this together. Below please find a new collection of resources for you this week on a variety of topics. I have also created a webinar on “Board Leadership in Challenging Times.” It provides a roadmap for your Board with actionable steps in the areas of risk management, financial assessment, business continuity and communication planning, and tips for fostering Board involvement in challenging times. If this information and webinar would be helpful for your Board, let’s connect and give your Board the tools and support to lead. I am available to serve as a thought partner, facilitator, or sounding board.
COVID-19: RESOURCES FOR NONPROFIT LEADERS: March 27, 2020
Leadership:
Two Principles for Leading Your Organization Through the COVID-19 Crisis
Source: Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University
That Discomfort You’re Feeling Is Grief
Source: Harvard Business Review
Self Care:
Board Role/Governance:
PODCAST: Board Leadership in Challenging Times
Source: Nonprofit Vision with Gregory Nielsen
Human Resources:
My Advice On Working From Home – After 10 Years of Doing It Successfully
Source: Julia Campbell
Legislation and Advocacy:
Initial Analysis of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (S. 748)
Source: National Council of Nonprofits
How Nonprofits Can Utilize the New Federal Laws Dealing with COVID-19
Source: Nonprofit Quarterly
Philanthropy:
Board leadership and engagement is vital in challenging times, and there are tangible steps Boards can and should take. Enjoyed leading a webinar today on Board Leadership in Challenging Times. We discussed risk management, financial assessment, business continuity and communication planning, and tips for fostering Board involvement in challenging times. If this information and webinar would be helpful for your Board, let’s connect and give your Board the tools and support to lead.
This is a time of uncertainty, a time of fear, and a time when the challenges of the moment can seem overwhelming. A nonprofit Executive I spoke with yesterday captured the feelings of many when she said, "It feels as though my Board, staff, donors, and volunteers are all looking to me to be a pandemic expert and know exactly how to respond." As nonprofits around the country navigate new and rapidly changing realities, leaders are discussing:
Operational contingencies
Loss of funding
Potential shifts in Board meetings
Policy changes to address the wellbeing of staff members and those served by the mission
Status of upcoming events
To all the amazing nonprofit leaders out there, you are not alone. We are in this together. Helpful resources are being created to provide guidance during these uncertain times and I have pulled some of them together in one place for you as links below. As we navigate these choppy waters together, I am available to serve as a thought partner, facilitator, or sounding board. By supporting one another and sharing information and ideas, we will get through this together.
COVID-19: RESOURCES FOR NONPROFIT LEADERS
Leadership:
Source: Civitas Strategies
How To Quickly Set Up A Work-From-Home Program
Source: Skye HR Consulting
Running Effective Virtual #Nonprofit Meetings: 9 Best Practices for Facilitating Engagement
Source: Beth Kanter
Board Role/Governance:
Nonprofit Governance: Coronavirus and COVID-19
Source: Nonprofit Law Blog
Legislation and Advocacy:
An Appeal to Congress to Include Nonprofits in Packages for Relief and Stimulus
Source: Nonprofit Quarterly
Role of Funders and Philanthropic Response:
6 Steps for Grant Makers to Take Now to Ensure Nonprofits Recover From Coronavirus Spread
Source: The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Coronavirus ‘Rapid Response’ Funds Proliferate as Threat Grows
Source: The Chronicle of Philanthropy
