Resources for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Is your small business being impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis? Use these resources to guide your response

Check back on this page regularly as we continue to develop and share resources for small businesses working to adapt and power on in the midst of the COVD-19 pandmeic.

TIP: Are you considering reopening as coronavirus restrictions begin to ease? Check out our Marketing Guide for Businesses Reopening After Coronavirus.

Get more tools, guidance, and inspiration with the Power On Portal

Find the support and resources your business needs to power on through some of the challenging days ahead with Constant Contact’s Power On Portal, including:

  • Inspirational stories and tips from businesses just like yours
  • Marketing assets specific to COVID-19
  • A Reopening Guide for businesses reopening or expanding their offerings during COVID-19
  • Webinars and other educational content
  • A community of like-minded small business owners and entrepreneurs.

General guidance on responding and adapting to the crisis as a small business

Our Ultimate Small Business Support Kit for Challenging Times
Small business owners have always had to adapt quickly. But we know there’s no clear way to navigate the COVID-19 crisis. We’re here to offer a support kit with guidance, new ways to boost business, and inspiration from other small business owners to help you figure out what to do next.

Article: How Coronavirus (COVID-19) is Impacting Small Businesses and What You Can Do About It
A guide to orienting yourself to the current situation, assessing the resources available to you, and taking early action to take care of yourself, your employees, and your business.

Article: The New Guidelines for Online Marketing During COVID-19
Let us show you what has changed (and what hasn’t) when it comes to online marketing during COVID-19.

Article: Keep Your Small Business Going During a Crisis
Learn how to take stock of a crisis situation, generate solutions, and take action to protect your business.

More Help from the Constant Contact Blog
Read every article we’ve produced in response to this situation, including tips for specific industries, help with working from home, and more.

Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Response Toolkit
Messaging guides, poster templates, and more to help in your business’s immediate response.

(Canada) Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): For businesses and employees
Support for workers, considerations for businesses navigating COVID-19 disruptions, Economic Response Plan, guidance for employees

Financial resources and relief

Featured: Coronavirus Emergency Loans: A Small Business Guide and Checklist

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses. Importantly, these loans may be forgiven if borrowers maintain their payrolls during the crisis or restore their payrolls afterward.

Use this guide from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to find out if you’re eligible and how you can take advantage of this assistance.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
Information on low-to-zero interest loans available to small businesses who are financially struggling as a result of the outbreak.

SBA Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
An extensive list of help and resources from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Facebook Small Business Grants Program
Facebook is offering $100M in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries where they operate.

Interactive resources and community help

Constant Contact Live Webinars
Join one of our free webinars for step-by-step guidance on everything from using our tools to writing communications for your customers during this crisis.

COVID-19 Resources & Support Community – Forums
Use our community forum to connect with other small businesses to share resources and advice on how you’re responding to COVID-19 changes.

Guidance and resources by industry

Nonprofit

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act — Relief for Nonprofits
The CARES Act incentivizes charitable giving by providing the following tax advantages for cash contributions made to public charities by individuals and corporations:

  • Individuals can deduct up to $300 of cash contributions made in 2020 without itemizing their deductions.
  • Individuals who itemize their deductions can deduct up to 100% of their adjusted gross income for cash contributions made in 2020. Any cash contributions that are not deducted in 2020 can be carried forward subject to a limit of up to 60% of adjusted gross income in the next 5 years.
  • Corporations can also deduct up to 25% (increased from 10%) of taxable income for cash contributions made to public charities in 2020.

Note that these tax incentives are not available for contributions made to private foundations, supporting organizations or donor-advised funds. Get more details from the National Council of Nonprofits.

Article: Crisis Communication Tips for Nonprofits Dealing with COVID-19
Some guidelines that will help you steer your nonprofit’s communication through this crisis, based on our Senior Content Manager’s experience leading marketing and communications for a community services nonprofit in Manhattan.

Nonprofits and Coronavirus, COVID-19
Guidance from the National Council of Nonprofits, with steps that nonprofits can take to protect their clients, staff, and volunteers.

CDC Guidance for Schools and Community Locations
Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control on keeping the community you serve safe.

Fundraising on Facebook
Answers to your questions about fundraising on Facebook from their Help Center

Real Estate

Coronavirus: A Guide for REALTORS®
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is providing this guidance to help REALTOR® associations respond to the coronavirus’s impact on the real estate industry

COVID-19 Resources for Real Estate Professionals
Resources from Realtor.com to help real estate professionals and their clients navigate this crisis.

Retail

Coronavirus Resources for Retailers
Tips, tools, and guidance from the National Retail Federation

Restaurants

Article: Marketing Tips for Restaurants Coping with the COVID-19 Crisis
One of our own marketing managers shares the actions she took (and continues to take) to preserve her family’s restaurant, even as the coronavirus continues to change the way business is done around the world.

Coronavirus Information and Resources for Restaurants
Restuarant guidance and resources from the National Restaurant Association.

Relief for Restaurants and Bars Impacted by the Coronavirus
Yelp’s relief program, including assistance with advertising and free tools to help your restaurant get through this.

Home and Building Services

Coronavirus Preparedness and Response for Home Builders
The National Association of Home Builders regularly updates this page with information and guidance.

Health and Fitness

Crisis Management Resources from the Association of Fitness Studios
Free resources and guidelines for health and fitness business owners.

Taking Your Clients Online
Learn to take your existing client base and continue services with them using digital tools during the crisis.

Safety recommendations

Official CDC Guidance for businesses
Guidelines from the Center for Disease Control on how to safely operate your business during the coronavirus outbreak.

Further assistance

Local Assistance Directory from the Small Business Association
Learn what resources exist that are specific to your local business community.

(Canada) Support for entrepreneurs impacted by the coronavirus COVID-19
Resources that that Canadian small business owners and entrepreneurs can take advantage of from the BDC.

Supporting other small businesses

How to Support Small Businesses During a Crisis
While you can’t visit your favorite bar or shop as you normally would, there are still many ways you can support your small business community without leaving your house.