During times of crisis, one of our most valuable resources is good information — particularly in a digital world filled with too much noise. In an effort to help you manage your information intake so that you can spend more time focusing on your community (and your own health), we’ve curated a list of resources and articles that we hope you’ll find helpful. And if you don’t see something that you need, please let us know by taking a 30-second survey.
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Emergency Aid for Nonprofit Organizations
Tell your member of Congress to provide emergency aid to nonprofit organizations in any COVID-19 legislation.
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What do you need?
In addition to the resources below, what informational resources would help you feel better equipped to support your community?
New Resource: CARES Act: How to Apply for Nonprofit Relief Funds
Updates from Independent Sector
Navigating COVID-19 and the CARES Act
March 31, 2020
By Dan Cardinali
Drink while you pour. It’s something I tell my colleagues at Independent Sector almost daily. We must take care of ourselves so we can take care of others. We wake up in a world where almost every day is different and where the gravity of what we are facing continues to sink in. Read More.
Leaders of Nation’s Charitable Nonprofits Respond to Passage of CARES
March 26, 2020
By Independent Sector
On behalf of thousands of nonprofits across America, we want to thank our elected officials for their leadership at this critical time in our nation’s history. We are grateful for the response on Capitol Hill as our Senators responded to provide emergency relief to nonprofits. We all know that the challenges in our communities will remain and we know that we can count on Congress as we consider additional steps to ensure nonprofits can continue to serve their communities throughout this crisis and beyond. Read More.
Third COVID-19 Relief Legislation Makes Way through Congress
March 26, 2020
By Ben Kershaw, Director, Public Policy and Government Relations
Late last night, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act without any Senators voting in opposition. This $2 trillion economic relief package—the largest legislation of its kind ever enacted—will be considered by the House of Representatives tomorrow morning and likely signed by the President immediately thereafter. Read More.
Unifying Our Sector’s Response
March 25, 2020
By Dan Cardinali, President and CEO
It is hard to believe it’s only been about a week since the IS office moved to fully remote. We know for our colleagues in Washington state, this has been a reality for some time, and for others, their lives may appear mostly stable. However, I think we can all agree that whether our social distancing lasts two weeks, two months, or much longer, our organizations, communities, and nation will not be the same after this pandemic. Read More.
Our Policy Response to COVID-19
March 24, 2020
By Jeff Moore, Chief Strategy Officer
While perhaps a bit over-simplified, when Independent Sector thinks about what exemplifies a healthy civil society, we think of three things: giving, volunteering, and voting. Read More.
Update on Senate COVID-19 Relief Package
March 22, 2020
By Jeff Moore, Chief Strategy Officer
As of mid-Sunday afternoon regarding the third Coronavirus relief package. Negotiations have stalled for the moment with a primary sticking point between Republicans and Democrats being the $500 billion pool of assistance to be administered as loans and loan guarantees. Read More.
On Demand Video
Town Hall on Leading During a Pandemic
Recorded March 20, 2020 | View Slides
With daily lives uprooted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s more important than ever that nonprofit and philanthropic leaders make sound decisions for our staff, volunteers, and the communities we serve. Leaders from Independent Sector and The Bridgespan Group led a virtual town hall to discuss the sector’s response and our shared path forward that builds trust in our institutions for the next challenge.
Featured Speakers
Dan Cardinali, President and CEO
Independent Sector
Jeffrey Moore, Chief Strategy Officer
Independent Sector
Marie LeBlanc, Director – Design
Independent Sector
Preeta Nayak, Partner, San Francisco
The Bridgespan Group
Maria Orozco, Principal
The Bridgespan Group
Health and Data
AARP: What You Need to Know About the Coronavirus
The resource goes in-depth explaining processes to stay healthy during the pandemic, how the U.S. is responding, symptoms, and links to more articles (including Q&A with experts, older adults, face masks)
American Cancer Society: Coronavirus FAQ
FAQ guide for Fast Facts About COVID-19 including external links and resources on how to understand/combat the virus.
American Heart Association: Coronavirus Precautions for Patients, others in High-Risk Category
Guide for heart patients and other patients with underlying conditions including but not limited to heart disease, hypertension, and asthma.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation: Coronavirus Updates and Data Sheet
Updates on affected countries, resources for contingency planning, testing.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: What You Need to Know
Learn more about how you can protect yourself, your families, and your communities from this pandemic spreading.
U.S. Department of State: Hub for Travel Warnings and Americans Abroad
Deep dive of travel warnings and risk-benefits of nonessential international travel
World Health Organization: Corona disease (COVID-19) Outbreak
Updated articles regarding WHO responses to COVID-19, links to advice, Q&A, reports, resources, guidance, R&D.
Sector Response
Alliance for Strong Families and Communities: Webinars and Online Discussion for Human Services Organizations Preparing for Coronavirus
Resources for community-based human services organizations to discuss the potential health impact and business disruptions as a result of coronavirus.
Bridgespan: Managing through Tough Times
Resources on creative new approaches to management as we enter into uncharted territory.
Catchafire: Pro-Bono Support
Catchafire is offering special assistance to any nonprofit whose work has been impacted by COVID-19, and our community of volunteers is ready to respond quickly to your needs by collaborating with you virtually and 100% pro bono.
Council of Foundations: COVID-19 Resource Hub
Hub with updated links regarding council announcements, latest news on coronavirus, resources for best practices for responding to COVID-19, and a page to share how your org is responding.
Center for Disaster Philanthropy: COVID-19 Declared a Pandemic
Updated hub related to global effect, where to help fund, and articles linking to the overall response to COVID-19 focused on disaster philanthropic giving.
Events Industry Council: About Corona Virus
Resources focused on COVID-19 effect on events with niche videos, external resources to understand the virus, short term implications and concerns, insurance policies, and ways to work around the coronavirus with having to work with people in person (meetings, events, etc.).
National Council of Nonprofits: The Nonprofit Community Confronts the Coronavirus
Outlining how the sector has reacted to COVID-19 and resources for how to move forward (external resources from state associations of nonprofits), day to day advice and the “encouraging civility.”
Recent News
Government’s Coronavirus Plan Includes Industry Bailouts, Cash Payments (Washington Post | March 18, 2020)
The Coronavirus Crisis is Showing Us How to Live Online (The New York Times | March 17, 2020)
Washington-Area Nonprofits Consider Difficult Decisions (The Washington Post | March 11, 2020)
Coronavirus And Your 2020 Fundraising Goals: What Nonprofits Need To Know (Forbes | March 11, 2020)
As Coronavirus Threat Continues, Experts Tell Nonprofits to Shore Up Reserves (The Chronicle of Philanthropy | March 10)
CDC Foundation Has COVID-19 Guidelines For Nonprofits (Nonprofit Times | March 10)