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How to Rebuild a War-torn Middle Eastern City? Start with the Souk

Gregory Scruggs

April 15, 2020 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Syria

A combination of agencies, charities, and business owners have been working toward the goal of rebuilding Syrian cities by focusing on souks, or markets, dating back centuries. Bringing the souks back to life was a relatively easy reconstruction project, free of legal complications, and vital to the communities' return to normalcy. Sticklers for historical accuracy argue that the original medieval architecture of the souks is impossible to recreate, therefore rendering it "totally fake," but those who are more concerned with repatriating refugees and rebuilding war-town Syria disagree.

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Need a Paycheck Protection Program Loan, or Just a Bank That Cares? Here's How to Find One

Oscar Perry Abello

April 14, 2020 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

An online tool called Mighty serves as a “Tripadvisor” for banks, connecting users with publicly-available data on how banks across the United States use their money so that they can make informed decisions when it comes to choosing a bank. During the coronavirus pandemic, Mighty is filling a popular request by connecting small business owners with banks and credit unions that are reliably implementing the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program. Mighty has a particular focus on how much social good each bank does, reminding people that every individual choice adds up to societal change.

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Los Angeles Offering Cash Cards for Laid-Off Angelenos, with No Strings Attached

Zoe Sullivan

April 10, 2020 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

The Mayor’s Fund for the City of Los Angeles has launched a program that literally hands people cash, no strings attached as long as they can prove that they have lost their jobs during the pandemic. In order to make the process as quick and seamless as possible, they issued debit cards instead of checks (making it more accessible to those without bank accounts), making the cards fee-free, and by making the process to apply as simple as 2 phone calls. They also had $1 million in grocery store gift cards, but the supply was exhausted in a few days.

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Minneapolis Funding Its Parks With an Eye to Equity

Zoe Sullivan

April 09, 2020 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Minneapolis, Minnesota

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has approved a new scoring system to prioritize parks that are most in need of an investment, from the limited funds available, based on equity measures such as race, income, population density, and crime. This data-driven system is used in conjunction with the park board's judgment of a park's infrastructure and has pinpointed parks which were not typically on the park board's radar for renovation.

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Even Parks Are Going Online During the Pandemic

Julia Hotz

April 09, 2020 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

As cities in the U.S. are placed under various degrees of lockdown, organizations are working to virtually bring "environmental education and recreation to viewers, from the comfort of their homes." Although virtual walks and live talks with park rangers are not a replacement for the lived experience, studies have shown that this type of contact does offer some benefits to mental health and well-being.

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Cities Turn to Virtual Tools to Stay Connected With Their Citizens

Taylor Moore

April 08, 2020 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States

As stay-at-home orders keep crowds from gathering at traditional town halls, politicians in cities and states across the United States are turning to virtual tools to stay accountable to their constituents. City mayors and state governors are using a mix of Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and local-access television to broadcast live coronavirus updates and answer citizens' questions.

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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 |

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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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National Network Emerges to Feed Frontline COVID-19 Workers

Emily Nonko

April 07, 2020 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

The idea of “feeding the frontline” - donating funds to purchase restaurant food that can be delivered to frontline healthcare works amidst the COVID-19 crisis - has spread like wildfire. In cities from San Francisco to Portland to Boston, individuals have stepped up to coordinate efforts and donations. By partnering with World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit founded by a celebrity chef, and Frontline Foods, “an umbrella effort formed to coordinate similar efforts across the country,” these charitable endeavors have gained legitimacy, funds, and the ability to scale.

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Detroit Gallery Packages Meals with Artist-Designed Coloring Book for Kids

Melinda Clynes

April 06, 2020 |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

To help fill the gap for some 200 Detroit students who rely on school lunches, local artists and nonprofits are teaming up to distribute meals and provide creative inspiration. Library Street Collective, an art gallery in downtown Detroit, provides the students with sketchbooks developed by artists. Meanwhile, Standby, an acclaimed restaurant, prepares the meals. Partners from other Detroit organizations step in to help with additional logistics.

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Will Small Businesses Most in Need Get Help From the Coronavirus Relief Package?

Oscar Perry Abello

April 03, 2020 |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

As small businesses, nonprofits, and independent contractors try to access funds made available through the federal government’s Paycheck Protection Program, bankers across the country are doing what they can to step up, follow federal guidelines, and process loans as quickly as possible. New features, including the SBA fully guaranteeing PPP loans, are making them more accessible. From typical SBA lenders to community development financial institutions to credit unions, many financial institutions are trying to help as many businesses as possible.

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