Resources for the Village

For Sustainable Pittsburgh’s statement on the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit this link. Plus, access our library of free webinars and accompanying resources here.

Stop the spread of misinformation: Allegheny County Health Department’s Rumor Control hub

• Businesses & Nonprofits
• Restaurants & Growers
• Individuals
• Communities

BUSINESSES & NONPROFITS

• REOPENING RESOURCES 
  • From Governor Tom Wolf: Process to Reopen Pennsylvania
  • BRINGING PA BACK, the PA Chamber of Business and Industry opened a new website to offer guidance to help PA employers re-open safely and to help enact policies to put the economy back on track.
  • Ready Pittsburgh, a toolkit for organizations that contains best practice protocols and guides for various industries.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Protection’s Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes
  • US Chamber’s Ready to Reopen: A Playbook for Your Small Business
• EVENTS & WEBINARS
  • Tuesday, 5/19 from 12-1 PM
    Webinar: CARES Act/Payroll Protection Program – Updates and Planning Recommendations for Maximizing Loan Forgiveness and Tax Credits
  • Thursday, 5/28 from 8-11:30 AM or 1-4:30PM
    Webinar: Become an Approved UPMC Diverse Supplier
  • Thursday, 5/28 from 12-1 PM
    Webinar: Anxiety Solutions For Business Leaders During Covid-19
  • PA Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is offering a series of free webinars on SBA Loan Processing and FAQs
  • Curio 412 has organized a whole series of webinars focused on providing free resources. Register for the Emergency Management & Preparedness Virtual Roundtable and others here.
  • AE Works and Citrin Consulting, have a free on demand webinar focused on managing and leading during times of crisis. It provides tools to manage virtual work environments, communication strategies and more to support business resiliency and workplace safety.
• GRANTS & FINANCIAL AID
  • Female Entrepreneurs: The Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation has teamed up with GlobalGiving to establish the Red BackPack Fund. They will make at least 1,000 grants of $5,000 each to female entrepreneurs impacted by COVID-19. The most recent round of applications have closed, but the portal will open for applications again on 6/1, 7/6, and 8/3.
  • Are you a small business in agriculture? The U.S. Small Business Administration is now accepting Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications on a limited basis.
  • Facebook Small Business Grants Program announced it will be providing $100 million in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in 30 countries. Applications have closed.
  • Hello Alice is offering $10,000 grants being distributed immediately to small business owners impacted by COVID-19, as part of our broader mission to ensure Business for All.
  • U.S. Chamber Foundation Launches Save Small Business Fund to Support the Small Business Community. Applications have closed.
  • Huntington Business Banking’s Resources and Support for COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Working Capital Access Program (CWCA): DCED is offering working capital for the purposes of assisting with operations, excluding fixed assets, and the production of machinery and equipment. There will be a limit of $100,000 for each loan and interest rates could vary from 0%-2%. Learn more
  • PA Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) has put together the Small Business First Fund to make $61,000,000 available for business assistance. Funds can be used for working capital loans of up to $100,000 given to small businesses who employ 100 or fewer people. Currently the interest rates are set at 3% but the PIDA board can adjust the interest rates as low as 0%.
    PIDA also provides low-interest loans and lines of credit for eligible businesses that create and retain full-time jobs for the development of industrial parks and/or multi-tenant facilities. To get additional information about what is offered in your county and to apply, click here go to and check the Certified Providers By County.
  • SBA Disaster Loan Assistance: The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19. Learn More.
  • Hebrew Free Loan Association of Pittsburgh offers a Coronavirus Financial Bridge Loan Program to provide interest-free loans on a nonsectarian basis for up to $5,000 to residents of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Westmoreland, Washington, and Armstrong counties who are facing financial challenges caused by COVID-19.
  • Honeycomb is now offering Loyalty Bonds that enable small businesses to raise cash quickly by selling a gift card “subscription” that will keep customers coming back for years to come. They’re also offering the Honeycomb Relief Loan program to small businesses affected by the COVID-19. These loans up to $50,000 will offer a 45-day payment free period and a six-month interest-only period.
  • Bridgeway Capital’s relief and resources for small businesses and nonprofits economically impacted by COVID-19
    Please reach out to Talpha Harris, Entrepreneurship Hub Manager tharris@bridgewaycapital.org for assistance in applying for the federal stimulus.
    For food based business looking to transition into a retail model, contact Blair Schoenborn, Associate Director of Strategy BSchoenborn@BridgewayCapital.org for financing options. Other businesses that may qualify include any companies that are involved in COVID-19 mitigation (ex. Cleaning companies). An archive of marketing and advertising webinars are available here.
• GENERAL RESOURCE
  • SCORE and Constant Contact are hosting a new Real-Time Mentoring platform to connect small business owners with SCORE mentors LIVE Tuesdays and Thursdays 2-5 PM ET.
  • PA Manufacturing Call to Action Portal
  • 10 Pandemic-Inspired Business Trends That Are Here to Stay
  • 9 Creative Ways Small Businesses Are Adapting to Coronavirus
  • Ongoing list of Small Business/Restaurant resources, compiled by Sustainable Pittsburgh
  • Prepared by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Coronavirus Emergency Loans: Small Business Guide and Checklist
  • Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Critical Medical Supplies Procurement Portal: A new web portal has been created to expedite the procurement of critical medical supplies for Pennsylvania’s health care system. This portal is for manufacturers, distributors and other suppliers to inform us of supplies available for purchase and will allow us to more quickly and efficiently procure these supplies for hospitals and medical facilities across PA. Learn more.
  • OSHA COVID-19 Safe Working Guidelines: Get informed on OSHA standards and directives and other related information that may apply to worker exposure COVID-19 and record-keeping. Learn more.
  • Updated List of Essential Businesses: View the list of businesses that may continue physical operations, in relation to the Governor’s Executive Order mandating closures for COVID-19 mitigation. Learn more.
  • Urban Redevelopment Authority has compiled a list of resources for businesses and individuals.
  • U.S. Small Business Administration Guide to plan and respond to COVID-19.
  • The PA Department of Community and Economic Development has a list of contacts and resources that are available to assist affected businesses.
  • Chatham University Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship is offering services, including counseling sessions and technical assistance, by telephone.
  • Google is offering guidance for small businesses, including how to communicate with your customers and employees, how to effectively work from home, and how to modify advertising, among other topics.
  • Rep. Sara Innamorato has put together a Google Doc with lots of great resources for business and individuals which can be found: HERE.
  • COVID-19 Small Business Preparedness Checklist, and COVID-19 Resources for impacted businesses prepared by the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence.
  • Allegheny Conference has created a website with responses, resources, and more HERE.

RESTAURANTS & GROWERS

• REOPENING RESOURCES
  • National Restaurant Association’s Reopening Guidance
  • US Food Restaurant Reopening Blueprint
• WEBINARS
  • ServSafe is offering free online food safety training
  • The CARES Act and Your Restaurant — view US FOODS’ webinar
  • The James Beard Foundation is offering a series of webinars to help navigate the challenges of COVID-19
• GENERAL RESOURCE 
  • Food Safety Take-out Tips for Restaurants during COVID-19 
  • Ongoing list of Small Business/Restaurant resources, compiled by Sustainable Pittsburgh
  • The James Beard Foundation has compiled a list of resources and support for restaurant owners and workers.
  • Urban Redevelopment Authority has compiled a list of resources for businesses and individuals.
• FINANCIAL AID & GRANTS
  • Hospitality Assistance Response of PA (HARP) is a 501(c)(3) that provides immediate emergency funding to hospitality workers. HARP fund has reached its round 1 capacity, but will consider reopening the grant form if funds allow for it.
  • Samuel Adams and the Greg Hill Foundation announced they are bringing the Restaurant Strong Fund to 20 total states (PA included) to aid the restaurant workers impacted by the COVID-19 closures.
  • Bartender Emergency Assistance Program was created by the USBG National Charity Foundation to assist bartenders or family members impacted by catastrophic events.
  • The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) authorizes up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses to pay their employees during the COVID-19 crisis.
• FOOD DISTRIBUTION
  • 412 Food Rescue has launched Community Takeout – a program to provide at least 15,000 healthy meals to those in need throughout our community.
  • Free Food Distribution Sites: https://tinyurl.com/pghfoodmap
  • Information for farmers and agriculture related businesses related to COVID-19 practices can be found: HERE.
• TAKEOUT/DELIVERY RESOURCES
  • Pittsburgh breweries offering cans, crowlers, and growlers to-go during coronavirus restrictions.
  • Postmates offers information for using its platform to sell takeout, which may increase your customer reach and boost your digital presence.
  • The Pittsburgh City Paper put together a list of restaurants and food businesses offering carry out and delivery, find that: HERE.
• SERVICE WORKER  RESOURCES
  • To give voice to the current conditions, losses and needs of food, beverage and entertainment businesses, the Office of Nighttime Economy asks that you complete this survey.
  • Local service workers who are laid off during this time can enter their information in the Pittsburgh Virtual Tip Jar so that customers and the Pittsburgh community members can continue to support them. Find more: HERE.

INDIVIDUALS

• GENERAL RESOURCES
  • Pittsburgh Mutual Aid: Helping Pittsburgh Help Each Other Through The COVID Crisis
  • Operation Face Mask Pittsburgh is a collective of volunteers, including professional stitchers, working to fill Pittsburgh’s need for safe, washable, reusable masks.
  • Poise Foundation is offering a Critical Community Needs Fund to support Black Led Organizations responding to critical needs in the Black community resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Urban Redevelopment Authority has compiled a list of resources for businesses and individuals.
  • University of Pittsburgh Library Systems has created a central resource page for everyone in the Pittsburgh community currently feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • How to help Pittsburghers during the coronavirus pandemic (assembled by the The Incline)
  • Rep. Sara Innamorato has put together a google doc with lots of great resources for business and individuals which can be found: HERE.
  • Resources for Families affected by COVID-19 Outbreak
  • Pittsburgh Greater Arts Council has a List of Resources for Artists
• EMPLOYMENT
  • PA Career Link has shared a list of job openings across PA
  • Vibrant Pittsburgh has a list of regional job postings
• FOOD
  • Free Food Distribution Sites: https://tinyurl.com/pghfoodmap
  • If you live in Lawrenceville/Bloomfield/Garfield the local community organizations are putting together a buddy system program to help elderly neighbors get supplies. Sign up: HERE.
• HEALTH
  • Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project (PUMP) has compiled a list of ways to stay active and connected during COVID-19.
• HOUSING
  • The United Way operates a free helpline called 2-1-1 for housing and other emergencies.
  • The PA Supreme Court halts all eviction proceedings for non-payment of rent or mortgages. **It is important to note however, that if a tenant goes into default during this time, the landlord will likely be able to evict as soon as the halt is over. Trellis Legal highly recommends that tenants talk to their landlords to work on a reduced payment or waiver of payment for a short period of time rather than going into default and risking later eviction.**
  • URA Housing Resources

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COMMUNITIES

• Technical Assistance:
  Sustainable Pittsburgh and the Congress of Neighboring Communities (CONNECT) are offering direct technical assistance to local governments to implement online strategies for engaging the public and holding public meetings. If your elected officials or municipal staff are having difficulties implementing any of these strategies, please use this form to request assistance. Tech-savvy Sustainable Pittsburgh and CONNECT volunteers and staff are on call to help you however we can. If you are tech-savvy and would like to volunteer your time to assist with such requests, complete this form to sign up.
• COVID 19 Case Tracking by Geographic Region
  • The Pennsylvania Department of Health has a resource page for the Commonwealth including daily briefings, the current number of cases, and a map indicating the number of cases in each county.
  • The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has a page and map tracking the reported cases in each state.
  • The Atlantic Magazine has a publicly accessible Google spreadsheet tracking COVID-19 testing in each state in the US. This spreadsheet is updated numerous times a day and includes total numbers of tests, pending, positives, negatives, deaths, and time of last update.
  • Worldometer is tracking international statistics related to the Pandemic on their COVID-19 Coronavirus Outbreak page. Worldometer is an international statistics resource owned by Dadax and was voted one of the best free reference websites by the American Library Association.
• Health Information
  • The United States’ Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) COVID-19 Website contains up to date information on a wide variety related topics, including prevention techniques, symptoms, what to do if you are sick, how to prepare your family, and numerous others.
  • The National Institutes of Health has a COVID-19 page with a myriad of resources and a way to subscribe to regular updates about the virus.
  • The Pennsylvania Department of Health’s COVID-19 page also has numerous valuable resources and updates about the situation in Pennsylvania.
• Municipal Officials and Public Employers in Pennsylvania
  • The Pennsylvania Municipal League’s (PML) News and Announcements page has numerous regularly updated resources, including a downloadable presentation for public employers created by Campbell Durrant, P.C.
  • Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors has an information page including a webinar created by attorney’s providing guidance for municipal officials.
  • For more information about Right to Know Requests during the outbreak Open Records PA has created this page.
  • For more general information about the Sunshine Act during the pandemic please reference this page.
  • For a list of public information and community engagement tools (including a spreadsheet with more than 100 tools and applications) for municipalities and community leaders, including hosting virtual public meeting and getting community feedback see this page.  The list was created by Sustainable Jersey and adapted for use in Pennsylvania by Sustainable Pittsburgh.
• Other Resources for Local Governments
  • Steel River COGs offers a list of COVID-19 Resources for Municipalities 
  • US coronavirus relief funds: A guide for state and local governments
  • ICMA has a COVID-19  resource page for general crisis management covering issues like  chain of command, crisis communications, potential gaps, and the workforce.
  • ICMA has a useful Discussion Guide for Local Government Managers navigating the continuously evolving situation on the ground.
  • Governing has created a list of top ten tips for those now required to work from home.
  • The National League of Cities has created a COVID-19 Resource Guide for municipalities. 
  • FEMA Eligible Emergency Protective Measures Fact Sheet.