So this is it – that moment you can't really prepare for, even though you know the day will come. It's the day when one of your team members takes that next step in their career, and that step is outside of your organization.

I never, ever expect my team to stay with me forever. Not only is that unrealistic but unless there's unlimited potential/opportunity in my organization (there are only seven of us, so no, there really isn't much) then it isn't fair to expect them to stay.  ​

Hello Friends! When I began at the Idaho Nonprofit Center 4 ½ years ago, I had no idea what to expect, as I was new to the role, new to the nonprofit sector and even new to Boise. I was super excited to become involved with members, sponsors, and funders. But what I really wanted to do was to make friends with them all.

Hello Friends!
 
When I began at the Idaho Nonprofit Center 4 ½ years ago, I had no idea what to expect, as I was new to the role, new to the nonprofit sector and even new to Boise.  I was super excited to become involved with members, sponsors, and funders. But what I really wanted to do was to make friends with them all.

The purpose of this site is to help provide the best reopening information possible and support healthy, sustainable decision-making processes to best serve you, your organization, and your community.

For the most up to date information on navigating workplace reopening during COVID-19, please refer to the following websites:

NATIONAL RESOURCES

US Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

• Worker Safety and Support
• Workplaces During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

• Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19

World Health Organization (WHO)
 
LOCAL RESOURCES

• Idaho Rebounds: Our Path to Posterity 
• Central District Health

 
RISK MANAGEMENT & LIABILITY

• Guidance: Getting Your Workplace Ready for COVID-19

• COVID-19: Five Things to Know and Do by Nonprofit Risk Management Center
• Legal: Considerations for Employers by Sullivan and Cromwell LLP
• A COVID-19 Business Risk Assessment Tool by Pennsylvania Department of Health

 
PERSONAL PROTECTION AND SAFEGUARDS

• How to Clean and Disinfect from CDC
• Covid-19 Basics: Disinfecting Cultural Resources by National Center for Preservation Technology and Training
• Office Safety checklist – Creating Healthy Spaces with an Office Cleaning Plan by Robin Powered, Inc.
• General Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting for Non-Health Care Settings by NYC Health

 
 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• HR Considerations for Returning to Work After COVID-19 by CliftonLarsonAllen
• What Nonprofit Board Members Should Be Doing Right Now to Address the COVID-19 Situation by BoardSource
• Reopening the workplace: A Preliminary Guide for US Employers by Morgan Lewis
• What Should Employers Consider As They Draft A Return To Work Policy? by Forbes
• Return to Work Checklist - Posting and Policies from ThinkHR
• Operation Open Doors Checklist from National Retail Federation
• Prevention and Preparedness for Employers Checklist from Saul, Ewing, Arnstein and Lehr
  

​The Idaho Nonprofit Center’s mission is to educate, advocate and collaborate in support of stronger nonprofits.  We care deeply about our nonprofits AND the communities that we serve. 

As an organization that serves the diverse nonprofit community of Idaho, we firmly believe there is no place for racism, injustice, and inequality. 

We are saddened and outraged by the recent acts of violence and racism in our country.  

We are committed to being a leader and working with the nonprofit community to raise awareness, and educate ourselves and develop policies and practices to better address diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Payroll Protection Program (PPP) Flexibility Act was signed into law last week. 

Highlights include:

• Extending the expense forgiveness period from eight weeks to twenty-four weeks
• Reducing the 75 percent payroll ratio requirement
• Eliminating 2-year loan repayment restrictions for future borrowers
• Allowing payroll tax deferment for PPP recipients
• Extending the June 30 rehiring deadline
  

We received the following information from the SBA this morning and will share their rules and guidance with you as soon as we can.

SBA, in consultation with Treasury, will promptly issue rules and guidance, a modified borrower application form, and a modified loan forgiveness application implementing these legislative amendments to the PPP. These modifications will implement the following important changes:

• Extend the covered period for loan forgiveness from eight weeks after the date of loan disbursement to 24 weeks after the date of loan disbursement, providing substantially greater flexibility for borrowers to qualify for loan forgiveness. Borrowers who have already received PPP loans retain the option to use an eight-week covered period.
  
  
• Lower the requirements that 75 percent of a borrower’s loan proceeds must be used for payroll costs and that 75 percent of the loan forgiveness amount must have been spent on payroll costs during the 24-week loan forgiveness covered period to 60 percent for each of these requirements. If a borrower uses less than 60 percent of the loan amount for payroll costs during the forgiveness covered period, the borrower will continue to be eligible for partial loan forgiveness, subject to at least 60 percent of the loan forgiveness amount having been used for payroll costs.
  
  
• Provide a safe harbor from reductions in loan forgiveness based on reductions in full-time equivalent employees for borrowers that are unable to return to the same level of business activity the business was operating at before February 15, 2020, due to compliance with requirements or guidance issued between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, related to worker or customer safety requirements related to COVID–19.
  
  
• Provide a safe harbor from reductions in loan forgiveness based on reductions in full-time equivalent employees, to provide protections for borrowers that are both unable to rehire individuals who were employees of the borrower on February 15, 2020, and unable to hire similarly qualified employees for unfilled positions by December 31, 2020.
  
  
• Increase to five years the maturity of PPP loans that are approved by SBA (based on the date SBA assigns a loan number) on or after June 5, 2020.
  
  
• Extend the deferral period for borrower payments of principal, interest, and fees on PPP loans to the date that SBA remits the borrower’s loan forgiveness amount to the lender (or, if the borrower does not apply for loan forgiveness, 10 months after the end of the borrower’s loan forgiveness covered period).
  
  

In addition, the new rules will confirm that June 30, 2020, remains the last date on which a PPP loan application can be approved.

Many nonprofits had reported difficulty in getting employees back to work after being laid off due to the additional $600 unemployment benefit that the CARES Act provided. We have been sharing this information with our state leadership and are pleased to share this news from last week. Nonprofits and small businesses both had the same challenge and our state is working to address it:

Recently, Governor Brad Little announced his plan to offer up to $1,500 cash to Idahoans who return to work.

More than 60-percent of Americans who are out of work due to the coronavirus pandemic earn more with the enhanced unemployment benefits than their normal wages. The enhanced benefits are set to expire next month, making it even more important to get Idahoans back to work.

“A strong economic rebound cannot occur without workers returning to a job, and the new Return to Work cash bonuses incentivize our workforce to get back to work safely. Like other states, Idaho went from record employment to record unemployment levels in a matter of weeks. Our hearts go out to those who lost jobs or income due to the global pandemic,” Governor Little said.

The executive committee of the Idaho Workforce Development Council will discuss the plan next week. Under Governor Little’s plan, up to $100 million in federal relief funds will be made available to Idaho workers who are eligible for unemployment benefits during the coronavirus pandemic.

Governor Little’s plan includes one-time cash bonuses of $1,500 for full-time work and $750 for part-time work and will be provided to the worker after return to the workplace.

The funds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for qualified applicants.

Governor Little will work with the Idaho Workforce Development Council and his Coronavirus Financial Advisory Committee to finalize the plan and eligibility requirements. More information on eligibility and how to apply for a Return to Work cash bonus are expected to be available by June 15 at Rebound.Idaho.Gov.

Idaho was one of the last states with a confirmed coronavirus case and one of the first with a concrete plan in place to open the economy responsibly and safely in stages. Ninety percent of businesses were able to open their doors on May 1, and today nearly all businesses are able to open.

NOTE: Cash bonuses are available to anyone who filed a UI claim since March 1 – even those who have already returned to a job since then. It is first come first served.

To assist qualified organizations within the state of Idaho in acquiring non-medical/emergency masks, gloves, and sanitizer (MGS), the Idaho Department of Administration is consolidating demand and purchasing large quantities of MGS to distribute throughout the state.
 
For small businesses and nonprofits that cannot afford the MGS.  If you’re one of these organizations, please complete the form and certify that you’re not financially able to purchase the MGS.

Last week Congress voted in favor of HR 7010, also known as the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020. In short, the bill will give nonprofits and small businesses more time to use PPP loans and allows them to spend less on payroll costs, should the bill become law.

Right now nonprofits and small businesses have eight weeks to use their PPP loan and we must use no less than 75% of the loan towards payroll costs. This new bill includes extending the time from eight to 24 weeks for loan expenditures and drops the 75% threshold to a requirement of no less than 60% of loan proceeds spent on payroll costs.

We will continue to monitor this new bill and keep you informed. The next steps remain in the hands of the Senate, whether they vote on this bill or propose their own similar version. Time is of the essence as many nonprofits and small businesses started receiving PPP funds in mid-April and the eight week window is rapidly approaching.

Receive FIVE hours of free one-on-one nonprofit coaching with a trusted consultant that best fits your needs. The Idaho Nonprofit Center is dedicated to its members and providing the support needed during this difficult time.

We are currently accepting 20 organizations. Please apply now for your chance to get customized support.

Learn how you can best lead your team to success while working remotely. This interactive session will provide tips and tricks for keeping staff members engaged and ready to fulfill your mission! Come ready to engage with the presenter and ask questions.

• When: June 2, 2020
• Time: 10:00 am MT / 9:00 am PT
• Price: FREE
  

Boot camp isn’t just for chairs and presidents! At Board MEMBER Boot Camp, attendees will leave with a better understanding of their roles, tasks, responsibilities and be able to identify strategies to increase board member engagement.

• When: June 19, 2020
• Time: 9:30 am MT / 8:30 am PT
• Price: FREE
  

Are you searching for a new team member or looking to start a career in the nonprofit sector? Our job board is here for you! 

To post a job opening for 30 days: 

• Price: $25 for Members / $125 for Not-yet-members
  

Idaho is currently at a 62% response rate for the 2020 Census and we could use your help to get everyone counted! Put together a Census Car Caravan to bring more funding to those that need it!

A car caravan is a parade of cars that drives through a strategically selected route. Each car in the caravan displays census messaging to raise awareness of the 2020 Census. Please keep social distancing measures in place per the CDC and your city/county guidelines. 

• Location: You choose! Select a car caravan route that includes communities with low 2020 Census self-response rates for maximum impact. Track the response rates in your community here.
  

• When: August 31 - September 2
• Price: $75 for Members / $125 for Not-yet-members
• Audience: Any and all nonprofit staff, board, and volunteers
• Register Here
  

Although the landscape of events is changing, the information provided during the Annual Idaho Nonprofit Conference will stay the same! Join us online for: 

• Two exceptional keynote speakers
• 20+ diverse breakout sessions
• Opportunities to network with your peers
• Find local businesses to partner with
  

Idaho Rebound Cash Grants for Small BusinessesIdaho small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities and the backbone of our state’s economy. However, the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak has forced widespread closures of small businesses across the Gem State, threatening livelihoods, acute job losses, and imperiling the future of local establishments across our state.

• Application process opened May 27, 2020

Child care Emergency Grant
In support of all Idahoans safely returning to work, Idaho Child care Emergency Grants are available for most Idaho child care programs that provide work related childcare; that are currently licensed by the State of Idaho or their city and/or currently certified for the Idaho Child Care Program.

• Deadline: June 30, 2020

SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus
The U.S Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

• Deadline: Ongoing

FEMA Application for Nonprofits
All 50 states, the District of Columbia, five territories, and numerous tribes are working directly with FEMA under President Trump’s March 13, 2020, nationwide emergency declaration for COVID-19. Under this emergency declaration, and subsequent major disaster declarations, certain private non-profit (PNP) organizations are eligible to apply for funding through FEMA’s Public Assistance program. This fact sheet provides guidance for determining the eligibility of PNP applicants and work performed in accordance with the COVID-19 emergency and major disaster declarations.

• Deadline: Ongoing

Homeless Veteran Assistance
The VA Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program provides funding for eligible entities to provide transitional housing beds or service centers for veterans who are homeless or at risk for becoming homeless.

• Deadline: Ongoing

Rocky Mountain Power Foundation offers support for community organizations responding to COVID-19
Community organizations are facing unprecedented challenges and demand for vital services. Through Rocky Mountain Power’s charitable arm, the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation has committed $311,500 for immediate support to critical community-serving organizations in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho.

• Deadline: Ongoing