Resources for Nonprofits
Updated: January 19, 2021
Mayor Jenny Durkan and the City of Seattle are working to help working people and organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We prepared this guide to help you learn about and navigate local, state, and private resources.
For more information, please visit: http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/covid-19. If you have any medical or health care questions about the coronavirus outbreak, please visit: Public Health - Seattle & King County.
City of Seattle Resources
Film Permitting Resumes: Pursuant to the Governor's order to allow film production in Washington State, we are excited to announce that Seattle Master Film Permit applications are now being accepted for productions who are able to meet all guidelines set forth by Washington State's Phase 2 Motion Picture Production COVID-19 Requirements. The City of Seattle's requirements will meet state and public health guidelines.
If Washington State or King County reverts to Phase 1, or if changes in COVID-19 conditions make it necessary in the public interest, Seattle Master Film Permits will be suspended. Visit the Office of Film + Music film permit page to apply for a Seattle Master Film Permit.
Phase 2 Reopening Toolkits: The City is launching a series of Phase 2 reopening toolkits to help small businesses authorized to reopen under the Governor's guidance navigate public health requirements and financial considerations. The reopening toolkits are not intended to provide public health guidance, but are meant to distill information from the state and county and make reopening guidance more accessible. The toolkits provide critical information for small business owners, including a reopening checklist, resources to access Personal Protective Equipment and financial assistance, testing information, and rent and commercial lease assistance. The City has toolkits for the following industries:
The toolkits are available on the City's new reopening website, and are translated into Amharic, Chinese, Korean, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Moratorium on Evictions of Small Businesses and Nonprofits: Mayor Durkan signed an Executive Order to extend the moratorium on residential, nonprofit, and small business evictions in the City of Seattle until September 30, 2021. This City of Seattle Council Ordinance affirms Mayor Durkan's Moratorium on Small Business Tenant Evictions, described above, and adds additional requirements regarding repayment of rent. The Ordinance includes rules that do not allow the landlord to raise the rent and rules about creating a repayment plan for back rent. The moratorium on nonprofit and small business evictions impacts independently-owned businesses with 50 employees or fewer per establishment, state nonprofits, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Along with halting evictions, the order also prevents eligible small businesses and nonprofits from incurring late fees, interest, or other charges due to late payment during the moratorium. You can learn more here.
COVID-19 Lease Amendment Toolkit: The City of Seattle's Office of Economic Development (OED) has partnered with Communities Rise and Perkins Coie to launch a new toolkit to help small businesses and nonprofit organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic explore options for their commercial leases with a goal of remaining in their spaces. Building on the eviction moratorium for small businesses and nonprofits signed by Mayor Durkan, the new COVID-19 Lease Amendment Toolkit for small businesses and nonprofits provides a suite of tools - including template lease amendment language - to assist small businesses and nonprofits who are navigating the negotiation of their commercial leases with their landlords.
Small businesses and nonprofits that have 50 or fewer employees are also eligible for a free, 60-minute consultation with a legal professional to assist with any COVID-19 commercial lease-related questions. Businesses and nonprofits can access the toolkit here. Access the COVID-19 Lease Amendment toolkit in Amharic, Chinese (traditional and simplified), Korean, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese here.
Seattle Protects: Public Health - Seattle & King County announced a health directive for all workers and residents to wear cloth face coverings in all indoor public settings and outdoor public spaces where maintaining social distancing could be difficult. The directive took effect on May 18, 2020. The City heard from many small business owners who were struggling to source face coverings and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for their employees. The City created Seattle Protects -an online marketplace-to connect local manufacturers with organizations, businesses, nonprofits, community groups, and individuals in need of cloth face coverings. Visit the marketplace to browse local manufacturers inventory.
Utility Payment Relief: Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) and Seattle City Light (SCL) will keep utility services on during the COVID-19 Civil Emergency. Effective immediately, all SPU and SCL customers can set up deferred payment plans if their financial stability has been jeopardized by COVID-19. Utility service will stay on as their deferred payment plans are developed and implemented. Customers financially impacted by COVID 19 can set up payment plans with either Seattle City Light or Seattle Public Utilities by calling (206) 684-3000 or sending an email.
Individual Artist and Creative Workers Support: The City will invest $100,000 to provide immediate relief for artists and creative workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The City's Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS) invested $50,000 in the Seattle Artist Relief Fund, founded by Seattle author Ijeoma Oluo, which will bring the total current funding to $187,150. In addition, ARTS invested another $50,000 in Artist Trust's COVID-19 Artist Relief Fund, which provides rapid response grants supporting critical needs of artists whose livelihoods have been impacted by the pandemic.
Read more about Artists and Creative Workers Relief Funding. (Program is currently on pause. Join the waitlist.)
King County Resources
COVID-19 Handbook for Creative Industries: King County Creative has established a COVID-19 Handbook for Creatives to bring together resources to take care of yourself and your family; to support the arts and culture community; and to prepare for recovery.
Seattle-King County BIPOC Production Network : This is a list of resources for people in film production who Identify as a Black Indigenous Person of Color (BIPOC) and live or work in the Greater Seattle and South Sound areas. It is intended to provide visibility, access, community, and opportunity to BIPOC people working in all aspects of film, including commercial, non-commercial, non-profit, and hobby projects, and to help build up a robust ecosystem of creators who are generally underrepresented or under-served in mainstream media. Sign up here.
Arts Sustained Support: Sustained Support offers funding for the day-to-day needs of arts organizations over two-year cycles-this reliable, consistent support lets creativity flourish in the places that make King County a cultural hub. Apply for the Art Sustained Support fund.
Washington State Resources
Health Care Access: In response to the potential growth of Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, the Washington Health Benefit Exchange announced a limited-time special enrollment period for qualified individuals who are currently without insurance. Apply for health care access on Washington Health Plan Finder. The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner has resources and information available here for consumers who have questions about insurance and COVID-19.
State Unemployment Assistance for Creatives: Unemployment benefits in Washington state are expanding under the federal CARES Act to cover independent contractors and self-employed individuals. These new benefits are also available for workers who did not work enough hours to qualify for traditional unemployment benefits (workers who worked fewer than 680 hours). You can apply to receive unemployment assistance from the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) at esd.wa.gov/unemployment.
Private & Philanthropic Resources
African-American Writers' Alliance: The African-American Writers' Alliance is powered by Shunpike, a nonprofit agencythat provides independent arts groups in Washington State with services, resources, and opportunities they need toforge their own paths to sustainable success. Join the African-American Writers' Alliance's on-going meetings and events here.
Artist Trusts' COVID-19 Resource List: The Artist Trust compiles a growing list of COVID-19 response resources for artists. Find access to Emergency Funds for artists here.
Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund: This fund is for US-based BIPOC artists and administrators. This is a ONE-TIME micro grant of $200. Funding available until funds run out. Apply for the Arts and Culture Leaders of Color Emergency Fund here.
COVID-19 Artist Trust Relief fund: The COVID-19 Artist Trust Relief Fund is an emergency grant program that will put cash grants directly into the hands of Washington State artists who have lost wages related to the COVID-19 crisis. Grants range from $500-5,000 based on artists' needs. Funding available until funds run out. Apply or learn more about the Artist Trust Relief Fund.
Communities Rise Legal Consultations: The Communities Rise COVID-19 legal clinics are an opportunity for Washington State entrepreneurs, small businesses, community organizations, and nonprofits who have suffered adversely from the impact of the COVID-19 crisis to receive free legal advice during a 45-minute remote consultation with a volunteer attorney. Learn more here.
Free Printable Templates For Coronavirus Signage: Signs.com is offering free printable health and closure sign templates related to the COVID-19 Coronavirus. To browse available templates and for more information, visit their website.
Virtual Roundtables for Festival Professionals: Film Festival Alliance is hosting free virtual roundtables open to all festival professionals. Weekly virtual roundtables cover information about how to stream online festivals to hosting drive-ins. Sign-up for the Virtual Roundtables for Festival Professionals.
WeWork for Good Initiative Workspace: WeWork will contribute up to two (2) months of workspace at no cost to "Eligible Organizations" who are directly engaged in COVID-19 response efforts in regions where WeWork operates. Learn more about WeWork's Good Initiative Terms and Conditions.
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