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San Francisco International Airport is committed to the continued health of its business partners and their employees. Below are local, state, and federal resources for businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, please contact smallbusiness@flysfo.com or call or text (650) 270-0158.
References and hyperlinks to website addresses are for your information and convenience. The San Francisco International Airport is not responsible for the content or security of those internet locations.
Governor Gavin Newsom announced mandatory face coverings throughout California.
- Layoff Support
- Resources for SFO Employers with On-Site Staff
- Tips for Businesses
- Local and State Organizations Available to Assist
- Local and State Assistance for Small Businesses
- Federal Assistance for Small Businesses
- Other Federal Assistance for All Sized Businesses
- Nonprofit Organizations Available to Assist
- Private Relief Funds
SFO can support your employees with applying for unemployment benefits and other resources. Please refer your employees to SFO's Business & Career Center. Have your employees call (650) 821-5242 or e-mail community@flysfo.com. Employee resources can be found at https://www.sfoconnect.com/covid-19-resources-all-sfo-workers.
Resources for SFO Employers with On-Site Staff
| Reactiviation Guide Face Coverings/Masks |
SFO business partners that would like assistance with:
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| SFO Badging for Existing and New Employees | SAO operational hours will be limited to 7:00 am - 3:00 pm. Please ensure any employees who are coming to the SAO with an appointment adhere to appropriate social distancing measures. Please advise your staff to comply with all directions SAO staff may provide when your employees arrive at the SAO.
Fingerprint Appointment: https://booknow.appointment-plus.com/7rqt7km2/ Customs Appointments: https://booknow.appointment-plus.com/9e15xz5c/ Computer-Based Training Appointment: https://booknow.appointment-plus.com/82vnb66q/ Airfield Operations Training https://booknow.appointment-plus.com/7rtr8gey/ Authorized Signatory Portal: https://sfoopssec.flysfo.com/SAFESelfService/ssl/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fSAFESelfService%2fDefault.aspx |
| Workplace Preparations for COVID-19 | Local, state, and federal agencies have posted guidance on protecting workers from COVID-19.
San Francisco Department of Public Health https://www.sfdph.org/dph/alerts/coronavirus.asp San Francisco Department of Public Health Order https://www.sfdph.org/dph/alerts/files/HealthOfficerOrder-C19-07b-ShelterInPlace-03312020.pdf California Occupational Safety & Health Administration https://www.sfdph.org/dph/alerts/files/HealthOfficerOrder-C19-07b-ShelterInPlace-03312020.pdf California Occupational Safety & Health Administration https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/coronavirus/Health-Care-General-Industry.html Executive Department, State of California Executive Order https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/4.4.20-EO-N-45-20.pdf U.S. Occupational Safety & Health Administration https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/standards.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html |
| California Workers Compensation:
COVID-19 Rebuttable Presumption |
Governor Gavin Newsom on May 6 announced that workers who contract COVID-19 while on the job may be eligible to receive workers' compensation. The Governor signed an Executive Order that creates a time-limited rebuttable presumption for accessing workers' compensation benefits applicable to Californians who must work outside of their homes during the stay at home order.
Those eligible will have the rebuttable presumption if they tested positive for COVID-19 or were diagnosed with COVID-19 and confirmed by a positive test within 14 days of performing labor or service at a place of work after the stay at home order was issued on March 19, 2020. The presumption will stay in place through July 5, 2020. |
| Various Governmental, Nonprofit, and Private Grants | Visit the Bench.co blog for a list of grant sources for small businesses. |
| Hello Alice | $10,000 grants are being distributed immediately to small business owners impacted by the coronavirus, as part of Hello Alice's broader mission to ensure Business for All. In addition to funding, grant recipients will receive ongoing support from the Hello Alice community. |
| Restaurant Workers' Community Foundation | The RWCF COVID-19 Relief Fund will provide funds to businesses and their employees. The employee fund will provide one-time grants of $500 on a first-come-first-served basis to restaurant owners and employees in need. They are partnering with Southern Smoke Foundation to distribute direct assistance funds. Southern Smoke is a nonprofit 501c3 crisis relief foundation based out of Houston that exists to do just that. The Southern Smoke is a nonprofit 501c3 charitable foundation. |
| Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund | LISC will use Verizon funding to provide grants of up to $10,000 to businesses facing immediate financial pressure because of Covid-19--especially entrepreneurs of color, women-owned businesses and other enterprises in historically underserved communities who don’t have access to flexible, affordable capital. |
| Insurance Premium Refund | On April 13, 2020, Commissioner Lara and the Department of Insurance ordered insurance companies to return premiums to consumers and businesses paid for at least the months of March and April -- including the month of May if "shelter in place" restrictions continue -- in at least six different insurance lines: private passenger automobile, commercial automobile, workers' compensation, commercial multi-peril, commercial liability, medical malpractice, and any other insurance line where the risk of loss has fallen substantially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| COVID-19 Business Continuity Action Plan - 2.0 (Small- and Medium-Sized Businesses) | The San Mateo County Economic Development Association has released a guide on how to maintain operations during the pandemic, including a list of steps to consider implementing.
You can view the guide here. |
| Coronavirus Small Business Survival Guide | The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has published a "survival guide" for small businesses that compiles all their resources into one page. It includes resource guide on what small businesses can do during the pandemic, what best practices small businesses can implement, how to handle staff concerns, how to get an SBA Coronavirus Emergency Payroll Protection Loan, how to manage concerns when your staff cannot work from home, and others.
You can view the complete guide here. |
| Inc.'s Essential Business Survival Guide for the Covid-19 Crisis | Inc.com has published a guide for businesses separated into sections such as handling cash flow, finding capital, managing debt, and furloughing or laying off staff.
You can access the full guide here. |
| Business Interruption Insurance | Commercial insurance can protect you from some of the most common losses experienced by business owners such as property damage, business interruption, theft, liability, and worker injury. Purchasing the appropriate commercial insurance coverage can make the difference between going out of business after a severe loss or recovering with minimal business interruption and financial impairment to your company's operations.
Review your insurance policy to learn whether you have business interruption insurance. You can access the full guide here. |
Local and State Organizations Available to Assist
| CDFIs: Community Development Financial Institutions | CDFIs provide loans, investments, financial services and technical assistance to underserved businesses, populations, and communities. Search for a CDFI near you.
Here is a sample of some local CDFIs.
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| San Francisco Office of Economic of Workforce Development | All businesses can reach out to the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development for assistance and guidance in responding to COVID-19.
Small businesses can reach out to the San Francisco Office of Small Business Assistance Center to share your concerns and to learn more about existing programs that can assist you during this time. |
| San Francisco Office of Small Business (SFOSB) | The mission of the Small Business Commission, the Office of Small Business, and the Small Business Assistance Center is to foster, promote, and retain small businesses in the City and County of San Francisco.
Due to the SF Public Health Order for City residents to shelter in place, the Office of Small Business is not open to the public from March 17, 2020 through May 3, 2020. Staff is working remotely to provide service to small businesses by email and phone. Please contact via email at sfosb@sfgov.org or call 415-554-6134. For assistance in Chinese call 415-554-6407. Due to the high volume of inquiries, SFOSB will respond as soon as possible. |
| San Mateo County Economic Development Association | SAMCEDA, founded in 1953, promotes business issues that enhance and sustain the economic prosperity of the region and its local communities. SAMCEDA is compiling business assistance programs and a variety of other resources as quickly as possible and as they become available. |
| California Office of the Small Business Advocate | The Office of the Small Business Advocate (SB Advocate) supports California's small businesses and entrepreneurs with the information, tools and resources they need to plan, launch, manage and grow their businesses successfully. https://business.ca.gov/advantages/small-business-innovation-and-entrepreneurship/ |
Local and State Assistance for Small Businesses
| San Francisco Workers and Families First Program | The Workers and Families First Program provides financial assistance to businesses and nonprofits to provide additional paid sick leave time to employees, over and above their existing policies. All businesses in San Francisco and all SFO businesses are eligible, with up to 20% of funds reserved for small businesses with 50 or fewer employees. The City will contribute up to one week (40 hours) at $15.59 per hour (minimum wage) per employee, or $623 per employee. The employer will pay the difference between the minimum wage and an employee's full hourly wage. To apply, go here. Please note that SFO Employers are eligible for this fund, even if your business does not have operations in San Francisco. Please contact the San Francisco Small Business Office at sfosb@sfgov.org or call 415-554-6134. | ||||||||||||||||||
| African American Small Business Revolving Loan Fund | The City's African American Small Business Revolving Loan Fund will rapidly deploy loans up to $50,000 at 0% interest to support Black-owned businesses. Long-standing San Francisco Black-owned businesses and those most severely impacted by the ongoing Shelter-in-Place Health Order will be prioritized. The loan will have flexible repayment terms, loan forgiveness options, and wide-ranging technical assistance to minimize barriers to access, including no personal guarantees or collateral requirements.
Questions? Email: supportblackbiz@sfgov.org |
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| San Francisco Deferred Business Licensing Fees | The City's Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector is deferring collection of annual small business license and permit fees that make up the Unified License Bill to September 30, 2020. If you have questions or want to learn more about the deferral of business taxes or licensing fees, please contact the Treasurer's Office through their Help Center. | ||||||||||||||||||
| San Francisco Busines Property Tax | As the San Francisco shelter-in-place order has been extended and in accordance with state law, the new property tax deadline is June 1, 2020. Taxpayers who are unable to pay by this date for reasons related to COVID-19 should submit a request for a penalty waiver online. Please note that penalty waiver requests will not be accepted until after the property tax deadline.
If you have any questions, please visit their Help Center or call 3-1-1. |
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| California Assistance to Small Businesses | California offers support for small businesses, the backbone of the state economy and the heart of communities and main streets across California.
Relief includes small business interest free deferral of sales/use tax up to $50,000 for businesses with less than $5 million in taxable sales. The state of California, through the Small Business Finance Center (SFBC), is offering California Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program - COVID-19. The SBFC helps businesses create and retain jobs and encourages investment in low- to moderate-income communities. The SBFC has a Jump Start Loan Program, a Small Business Loan Guarantee Program, and a Farm Loan Program.
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| State of California Payroll Tax Assistance | Payroll tax assistance. Employers experiencing a hardship due to COVID-19 may request up to a 60-day extension of time from the EDD to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest. A written request for extension must be received within 60 days from the original delinquent date of the payment or return. For questions, employers can call the EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center.
Toll-free from the U.S. or Canada: 1-888-745-3886 Hearing impaired (TTY): 1-800-547-9565 Outside the U.S. or Canada: 1-916-464-3502 |
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| PPE and Safety Products | Vendors used by Airport companies to purchase Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). For an additional list of PPE providers, please visit list of local providers of personal protective equipment (PPE) compiled by the San Francisco Office of Small Business.
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Federal Assistance for Small Businesses
| The US Senate established the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
To help small business owners and entrepreneurs better understand the new programs that are available to them, the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship has created a comprehensive guide to many of the small business provisions in the CARES Act that was passed by Congress on March 27. These programs and initiatives are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now. |
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| PPP: Paycheck Protection Program |
No Minimum Employees for Forgiveness!! Applies to ALL!! More Time to Use Funds!!
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 the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. For loans made February 15, 2020 to December 31, 2020, the amount of loan forgiveness does NOT depend on the number or percentage of full-time equivalent employees a business maintains IF, in good faith, the business is able to document:
Check with your bank to see if they're offering the PPP or review Small Business Majority's PPP Lender List. For questions, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. San Francisco organizations can help you navigate lending options: |
| EIDL: Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Loan Advance | To apply for a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan, click here. In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. Self-employed individuals are eligible.
The SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. The loan advance will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Fund advances will not have to be repaid. For questions, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. San Francisco organizations can help you navigate lending options: |
| Employee Retention Credit | The Employee Retention Credit under the CARES Act encourages businesses to keep employees on their payroll. The refundable tax credit is 50% of up to $10,000 in wages paid by an eligible employer whose business has been financially impacted by COVID-19.
The Employee Retention Credit is a fully refundable tax credit for employers equal to 50 percent of qualified wages (including allocable qualified health plan expenses) that Eligible Employers pay their employees. This Employee Retention Credit applies to qualified wages paid after March 12, 2020, and before January 1, 2021. The maximum amount of qualified wages taken into account with respect to each employee for all calendar quarters is $10,000, so that the maximum credit for an Eligible Employer for qualified wages paid to any employee is $5,000. Learn how to claim the tax credit and get the money back! |
| SBA Express Bridge Loans | Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program allows small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 with less paperwork. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing and can be a term loans or used to bridge the gap while applying for a direct SBA Economic Injury Disaster loan. If a small business has an urgent need for cash while waiting for decision and disbursement on Economic Injury Disaster Loan, they may qualify for an SBA Express Disaster Bridge Loan. Terms:
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| SBA Debt Relief | The SBA Debt Relief program will provide a reprieve to small businesses as they overcome the challenges created by this health crisis.
Under this program:
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Other Federal Assistance for All Sized Businesses
| IRS Tax Relief | The IRS has established a special section focused on steps to help taxpayers, businesses and others affected by the coronavirus. The most up-to-date information is on the IRS website.
There are several provisions that may benefit businesses of all sizes. Please go here for more detailed information. |
| Employee Leave | The U.S. Department of Labor has published guidance on employers' obligations under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) during pandemics. The California Labor Commissioner's Office has also answered COVID-19 specific questions for employers related to employee leave and sick pay. |
| U.S. Treasury | The Department of Treasury also has information available at Coronavirus: Resources, Updates, and What You Should Know. |
Nonprofit Organizations Available to Assist
| Northern California Small Business Development Centers (Norcal SBDC) | Northern California Small Business Development Centers (Norcal SBDC) is a nonprofit network made up of 18 centers that are dedicated to helping small businesses with every aspect of business creation, growth, management, and operation. Find your local SBDC today to start receiving one-on-one advising and low cost training.
NorCal SBDC Webinars NorCal SBDC hosts webinars four times per week to share the latest updates on the SBA funding and all the financing programs related to COVID-19. English: Mon, Wed, & Fri 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Zoom link: https://norcalsbdc.zoom.us/j/835182602? ASK an ATTORNEY Bring your questions and learn key updates from experienced professionals and attorneys covering topics including PPP and unemployment, practical advice on borrowing, payroll issues and more. Thursdays at 4 PM | Zoom password: baseforce Link: https://berkeley.zoom.us/j/527839619?status=success For additional information or if you have any questions, NorCal SBDC can be reached at (833) 275-7232 or via email at loans@asksbdc.com. |
| Small Business Majority | Small Business Majority is a national small business advocacy organization, founded and run by small business owners to ensure America's entrepreneurs are a key part of a thriving and inclusive economy.
https://smallbusinessmajority.org/covid-19-daily-updates-for-small-businesses |
| Venturize | Venturize is a free online resource hub of tools and resources for small businesses. Managed by nonprofit organization Small Business Majority, Venturize offers unbiased education and resources about small business loans, retirement and healthcare to empower entrepreneurs to make the best financial decisions for their business. They also help small businesses get connected to trusted local providers that can help their enterprises grow.
https://venturize.org/ |
| National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) | NAWBO, the unified voice of over 10 million women-owned businesses in the United States, offers COVID-19 support to its members.
https://www.nawbo.org/nawbo-institute |
| United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) | The USHCC actively promotes the economic growth, development and interests of more than 4.37 million Hispanic-owned businesses that, combined, contribute over $700 billion to the American economy every year.
https://ushcc.com/ushcc-creates-technical-assistance-guide-for-small-businesses-impacted-by-covid-19/ |
| US Black Chambers of Commerce (USBC) | The USBC provides committed, visionary leadership and advocacy in the realization of economic empowerment. Through the creation of resources and initiatives, USBC supports African American Chambers of Commerce and business organizations in their work of developing and growing Black enterprises.
https://usblackchambers.org/cares-act/ |
| National Association for the Self- Employed (NASE) | Since its beginning in 1981, the National Association for the Self- Employed has pioneered support and help for small business, micro-businesses and the self-employed, while helping to define this important part of the American economy.
https://www.nase.org/home.aspx |
| Kiva | Kiva is an international nonprofit, founded in 2005 in San Francisco, with a mission to expand financial access to help underserved communities thrive.
https://www.kiva.org/ |
| San Francisco Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center | Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center offers workshops to help small businesses survive and thrive during the pandemic. Sign up and participate! Renaissance is also offering a guide to business resources. https://www.rencenter.org/small-business-resources-covid-19/ |
Severl entities have established relief efforts to assist small businesses. Below is a sample.
| GoFundMe | As part of the Small Business Relief Initiative, GoFundMe, Intuit QuickBooks, and Yelp have each donated $500,000 to the Small Business Relief Fund. GoFundMe.org, the charitable and advocacy arm of GoFundMe, started the Small Business Relief Fund to benefit small businesses. The Small Business Relief Fund will issue $500 matching grants to qualifying businesses that raise at least $500 on GoFundMe. |
| JPMorgan Chase | Longtime San Francisco nonprofit community organizations Working Solutions, ICA Fund Good Jobs, and Pacific Community Ventures are partnering with JPMorgan Chase to launch the Entrepreneurs of Color Fund in San Francisco. This initiative aims to make capital and business consulting more accessible to people of color who are starting or growing businesses in San Francisco. |
| Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation
Red Backpack Fund |
Spanx and The Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation elevate and support women through entrepreneurship. The Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation donated $5 million to support female entrepreneurs in the wake of COVID-19 and teamed up with GlobalGiving to establish The Red Backpack Fund. GlobalGiving will be overseeing the fund, making at least The grants of $5,000 go to female entrepreneurs in the U.S. to help alleviate the immediate needs and support the long-term recovery of those impacted by this crisis. Get notified when applications are being accepted! |
| Wefunder | The company's Coronavirus Crisis Loans program enabling small businesses to crowdfund loans of $20,000 to $1 million from supporters.
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| Zapier | The $1 million assistance program is meant for their most impacted small-business customers. Zapier's support team will set up qualified customers with a free month credit for a Starter plan.
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