Your Link to Opportunities and Information - Volume 36
Participate in Virtual Matchmaking
Supplier (MBE) Registration:

Buyer (Corporations and other buying entities) Registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/COVID-19MMBuyers

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Critical Medical Supplies Procurement Portal
The Portal is for manufacturers, distributors and other suppliers to inform the Commonwealth of supplies available and will allow them to more efficiently procure these supplies for hospitals and medical facilities across Pennsylvania. Read more.

Current Bids
Hand Sanitizer, Toilet Paper, Disinfectant Wipes, etc.
The City of Pittsburgh - The Urban League is buying to distribute locally. Suppliers in Southwest PA call Michael Buzzelli or Mary Kay Dietrich at 412-227-4229. 

City of Harrisburg
December 14, 2020

City of Harrisburg
January 7, 2020

ALCOSAN
February 17, 2021
In This Together Campaign Rebuilding Fund Grant -
Deadline December 15
As part of NMSDC In This Together campaign, the Rebuilding Fund was launched to invest in minority businesses struggling to recover from the economic downturn resulting from COVID-19 and those sustaining damage and vandalism during violent protests.
 
NMSDC is now accepting grant applications from NMSDC certified MBEs in need during these unprecedented times. They have developed a process where MBEs can apply for grants up to $10,000 through NMSDC’s In This Together Rebuilding Fund.  MBEs would need to complete and submit the grant application in order to quality. 

Eligibility Criteria
  • NMSDC certified – current or extended due to COVID-19
  • In business more than 2 years
  • Class I and Class II (or based on need demonstrated for MBEs outside of Class I & II)

The SBA is Accepting New Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance Applications 
EIDL Overview:
  1. Low-interest loan at 3.75% for for-profit entities; non-profit organizations are eligible at 2.75%;
  2. Term for EIDL is up to 30 years and there is a one-year deferral from date of loan approval;
  3. Loan eligibility is up to $2 million;
  4. EIDL Advance is $1,000/employee up to $10,000. EIDL Advance does not have to be repaid and will be deposited directly by the Treasury Department; and
  5. All EIDL funding is direct from SBA, does not require third party approval.
  6. If an applicant has previously applied and their loan number starts with a “2”, they are encouraged to re-apply.
 
Applicants who have already submitted their applications will continue to be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Businesses are encouraged to apply immediately to ensure timely processing of applications and access to funding. Read more.

The PA 30-Day Fund
The Pennsylvania 30 Day Fund will deploy at least $100,000 for diverse small businesses who have suffered loss due to property damage and looting. The nonprofit organization provides $3,000 forgivable loans to small business owners who complete a simple application and submit a video. Read more. 

Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission has established a COVID-19 Recovery Loan Program
Under this program, small businesses can apply for financing to help pay for current employee salaries, including salaries for those individuals who may have been furloughed due to the outbreak. Businesses can also use the loan proceeds to help pay for rent and utilities, as well as inventory purchases. SPC will consider proof of expenses in any of the three aforementioned categories from the three-month period prior to the onset of the crisis, and those expenses will count towards the loan amount. Read more.

Beyonce's BeyGood Foundation and The NAACP are giving $10k grants to Black Businesses through December 2020
BeyGOOD is on a mission to spread hope. The goal is to provide a lifeline for small businesses at the epicenter of dual pandemics. BeyGood has teamed up with the NAACP to expand economic opportunity by awarding grants of $10,000 on the 15th of each month through the end of 2020. Read more.
Aliya Hammond Consulting is headquartered in the greater Philadelphia area and offers social media marketing, management, training, coaching, blog writing, graphic design, and website development services across the entire US. We were thrilled to have her present her social media strategies workshop recently at EMSDC's Annual Meeting. Read more.
Comcast Rise - Resources & Tools to Elevate Your Business -
Deadline February 7
Recently, small businesses have been dealing with the ongoing impact of the pandemic, social unrest, and environmental events. Comcast RISE was created to invest in the success of these critical businesses by providing valuable and practical support. The Comcast RISE program will initially be available for Black business owners. Beginning November 24, 2020, all Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) business owners will be eligible to apply for Comcast RISE. Read more.

Rebuild Ready Business Support Program -
Winter 2020-21 Cohort
The Rebuild Ready Business Support Program provides Philadelphia based small and diverse construction businesses with access to resources and support to prepare for upcoming Rebuild projects and build their capacity in the process. Read more.

UPMC in Collaboration with IBM Reignite Program Offering Free Seminars
IBM SkillsBuild Reignite seminars are free live online events presented by national subject matter experts, with the opportunity for business owners to interact and ask questions of the experts. There are several seminars scheduled for the remainder of 2020, with topics covering legal, financial and business education. Read more.

Free Google Storefront Kits for Black-Owned Businesses in Philadelphia
This program supports eligible Black-owned small and medium-sized businesses operating storefronts, food trucks, commercial office spaces, or customer-accessible home offices. Urban League of Philadelphia is administering this program. Google is providing the products and free installation for the hardware, as well as providing access to free, online training that helps small businesses learn new digital tools to grow their business through Grow with Google. Read more.
Use the following links to find updated information on statistics and recommendations in the states that we serve.
Accept the Challenge! Shop & Order from Local Businesses
Help support your favorite local food and drink businesses and retailers, specifically ethnic or minority-owned, by ordering takeout, buying gift cards, and/or shopping online.  Here's the challenge: click here, shop and share your shift with a shout out to that business on social media using the #ShiftwithEMSDC. If you spend with businesses, specifically ethnic and minority businesses not on our list, let us know on social and we’ll add them to the list. Together we’ll reinforce our local economies!

MBE2MBE Marketplace
The MBE2MBE Marketplace connects you with sourcing solutions. Now more than ever is the time to look beyond your usual sourcing outlets and reach out to support each other. Check out the minority businesses listed here for your business supply chain and help drive success for yourself and fellow entrepreneurs. Read more.

#STANDTOGETHER SAFELY
Over the past several months, we have all experienced unprecedented social, environmental, and economic challenges. Gone are the days where we talk about change. Change is now and the only way it happens is that we all #STANDTOGETHER SAFELY. EMSDC and SRMSDC #STANDTOGETHER SAFELY. We are reaching out to businesses who may be able to provide services to adversely affected business owners for their health and well-being, as well as for the health of their businesses and communities. Where we go from here depends on you. If you can help, need help, or want more information, contact Christine Robertson at crobertson@emsdc.org.

A Humbled Heart Presents Celebrating the Joy of Giving
Since 2002 our Annual Holiday Celebration has distributed approximately 60,000 gifts to people (children, teens and families) in Nicetown and the surrounding communities. We will be collecting toys for the children in Nicetown and surrounding communities from ages infancy to 17. In addition, we have selected 10 families who have faced hardships due to the pandemic that we will sponsor and provide an extra special blessing this season. Read more.
Join Yammer, our private community group where EMSDC Corporate Members, MBEs, and Subscribers can connect, post, and view EMSDC's daily posts. Click here to log in. Questions or need access to join? Email Tricina Cash at tcash@emsdc.org.