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Topeka's Two-in-One Platform to Support Local Businesses and Workers Through COVID-19

Oscar Perry Abello

April 07, 2020 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Topeka, Kansas

In Topeka, Kansas, the local Chamber of Commerce, tourism bureau, and other nonprofits launched the “Helping Others Support Topeka,” or HOST Relief Program, which provides unemployed people $250 in local gift cards, funded by both private and public money. The initiative helps both individuals and businesses struggling after the economic toll of the pandemic.

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Swiss lead way with crisis loans to small businesses

Sam Jones

April 06, 2020 |

Financial Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Switzerland

The Swiss government's economic stimulus package for small business is being lauded around the world for its speed and efficiency. They have pledged $40 billion in emergency loans to support small businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. The application is only a page long, the loan is interest-free, and businesses receive the money almost immediately. Their success is credited to their insular network of businesses and political elites that made the rollout exceptionally quick.

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Amid a global pandemic, kindness prevails over fear through mutual aid funds

Nisha Venkat

April 03, 2020 |

USC Annenberg Media |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Berkeley, California

Mutual aid programs that connect those in need with funds or assistance have launched across the nation as a means for many to navigate the closures caused by the coronavirus pandemic. For university students, these donations are helping to fill an economic gap that will still persist for many despite federal stimulus funds.

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The law of generosity combatting coronavirus in Pakistan

Aysha Imtiaz

April 01, 2020 |

BBC |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Pakistan, Karachi

In Pakistan, where many citizens earn a daily wage from street businesses that have now been forced to close due to the coronavirus pandemic, Pakistanis are continuing to contribute zakat, "the traditional Muslim charity tax." The contributions – regarded as "one of the most important religious duties for Muslims" – are used to create packages containing basic grocery items and anti-bacterial soap for the daily-wage workers.

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‘There Will Be Enough for Everyone': Berlin Distributes €500 Million to Artists and Freelancers Within Four Days of Launching Its Grant Program

Kate Brown

March 31, 2020 |

Artnet |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Germany, Berlin

In Berlin, Germany, the local government acted rapidly to deploy 500 million euros worth of grant money to freelancers and small businesses within days of setting up the fund. Despite a rocky launch and some residual concerns over data breaches, the grants, ranging from 5,000 euros to 15,000, have kept the local economy afloat for now.

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Coronavirus: Groups reopen 805 Undocufund to help undocumented immigrants during pandemic

Erin Rode

March 31, 2020 |

Ventura County Star |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, California

The collaborators behind a relief fund that is normally used for natural disasters is pivoting its purpose to be redistributed to undocumented immigrants who have been financially impacted by the coronavirus. Although the application is not yet live and will not solve systemic problems such as barriers to receiving unemployment insurance, the program has in the past proven helpful to thousands of families by providing short-term financial stability.

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Seattle Turns Soda Tax Revenue into Emergency Grocery Vouchers During Pandemic

Gregory Scruggs

March 30, 2020 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

When Seattle passed its tax on sugar-sweetened beverages like soda in 2018, the program met a lot of resistance. But now, amid the coronavirus pandemic, the city is drawing on this tax revenue to provide $800 emergency grocery vouchers to families in need.

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Mission-Driven Lenders Already Providing Assistance to Vulnerable Businesses During COVID-19

Oscar Perry Abello

March 26, 2020 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

The Business Center for New Americans, a nonprofit that offers loans with a focus on immigrant-run businesses, is going above and beyond to make sure its lenders get through the COVID-19 economic crisis. They are offering tailored support on how to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans, sharing other grant and loan opportunities, and using its status part of the SBA’s Microloan Program to offer new loans.

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Some CEOs are giving up their salaries to help stop coronavirus layoffs

Kristin Toussaint

March 25, 2020 |

FastCompany |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States

In an effort to pay employees as COVID19 containment efforts take a toll on businesses, CEOs and corporate management are taking pay cuts, or giving up their pay altogether. Companies like Delta, United, Marriott, Hyatt, Lyft, and Life Time health clubs are all seeing their leadership elect for salary cuts or decreases in order to continue to pay their employees.

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Coronavirus Closures Are Wiping Out Artists' Income. These Cities Want to Help

Rebecca Greenwald

March 25, 2020 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

In the state of Massachusetts, both Boston and Cambridge are offering financial relief to artists who have lost their source of income due to the social distancing guidelines mandated by the coronavirus pandemic. Boston established their artist relief fund on March 12, 2020, offering no-strings-attached allocations of $1,000. The city of Cambridge is matching funds with donations from the Cambridge Community Foundation, New England Development, and other donors. Both immediately received hundreds of applications and are acting now to secure more funding. The city of Denver, CO is also following their lead.

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