COVID-19 Resources

As of April, 1 2020

We are aware that in these trying times you may be looking for information about how to navigate the current landscape. The Multnomah Athletic Foundation is dedicated to supporting our community through shared resources, information, and accessibility during the COVID-19 outbreak. The foundation has a vested interest in our community grant partners, scholarship recipients, and donors, and we would like to give you the opportunity to access the most current information as we see it in our landscape. Below you will find information for our Nonprofit Grant Partners, our Scholarship Recipients, and community members that are looking for a way to donate to local causes at this time.

This page will continue to be updated as new information and procedures come to light. Please save the link for future reference and your own use.

Supporting Our Nonprofit Partners

Resources for local nonprofits in the Portland Oregon Metro Area as curated from Grantmakers of Oregon and Southwest Washington by the Multnomah Athletic Foundation.

As a means of ensuring that philanthropy receives the latest and most pertinent information from the nonprofit sector about the impact of COVID-19, GOSW is officially working in collaboration with Jim White and his team at the Nonprofit Association of Oregon (NAO). We are planning several joint sessions to collaborate and maximize our efforts because it is important that we work together in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. The negative impact that COVID-19 is already having on the nonprofit sector is huge, so these are the times that we hope that you will:

  • support nonprofits by investing in the work they are doing;
  • be flexible in how their funds are being used;
  • and support operations whenever possible. 

We also know spring is one of the major fundraising seasons where nonprofits raise a significant portion of their revenues. For those who have had to cancel or are canceling fundraisers, consider not asking for refunds, but instead donate those dollars back to nonprofits that you care about in support of the important work they do.


Alternatives to Layoffs for Employers Navigating the Pandemic

As nonprofits navigate their response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this thought piece by Heather M. Fossity & Sarah I. Hale of Barran Liebman LLP offers some alternatives to consider rather than layoffs. Furloughs, wage reductions and/or reclassifications of employees all offer opportunities for workers to stay with your nonprofit while receiving critical continuing health benefits.


Small Business Loans through CARES Act

  1. Reach out to us. We have volunteers available and willing to be thought partners as you prepare documentation.
  2. Contact your bank to see if they have a SBA banker. They are receiving information and program materials. Also making contact with your accountant or legal representation.
  3. The important action step now is to prepare – your thoughts, by-laws and documentation. Then you will be ready when the banks are ready for applications if you choose to apply.
  4. Read the brief recap with links below for more information and resources.

A Brief Overview of the CARES ACT

The CARES Act allocated $350 billion in funding to help keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small business & nonprofits through for a Small Business Administration (SBA).

Loans will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested, you will have to move deliberately and swiftly. Application details are on the SBA website and application can be taken starting on April 3rd.

What is this all about?

The massive $2 trillion aid package approved this week by the U.S. $350 billion in funding available through the Small Business Administration for businesses and nonprofit organizations to enable them to sustain employment and continue operating through the crisis.
The loans can be used for operational costs including:

  • payroll expenses
  • health benefits
  • sick medical or family leave
  • premiums and rent payments​
  • interest on debt incurred before the covered period

Organizations may qualify to have the entire loan or a portion of their loan forgiven, if they meet certain requirements.
Borrowers must be able to certify the need for the loan to continue operations during the COVID-19 emergency, and they must certify that they will use the funds to retain workers and maintain payroll, lease, and utility payments.

Who can access the funding?

While there are some exclusions in the bill, nonprofit organizations with fewer than 500 employees can get the necessary funds to help them through the critical months ahead and keep their organization running.
Borrowers must also maintain an average monthly number of full-time equivalent employees that is not less than the average number during the periods described in the loan maximum section above.

How much can I receive?

The maximum loan amount that businesses can apply for is 2.5 times the average total monthly payroll costs incurred in the one year period before the loan is made, or $10 million – whichever is smaller.
In evaluating eligibility, lenders are directed to consider whether the borrower was in operation before February 15, 2020 and had employees for whom they paid salaries and payroll taxes or paid independent contractors.

They will also ask:

  • If the uncertainty of current economic conditions makes the loan request necessary to support ongoing operations
  • If the borrower will use the loan proceeds to retain workers and maintain payroll of make mortgage, lease and utility payments
  • That the borrower does not have an application pending for a loan duplicative of the purpose and amounts applied for here

Use this guide to help crunch some numbers!

When can I access these loans?

You can get in touch with your local lender now to get yourself ready for when everything launches.
It’s very likely that the bank that you do business with may have an SBA loan officer.

View a List of Lenders

Loans will be provided during the period from: February 15, 2020 to June 30, 2020 (defined as the “covered period”)

Donations Support Local Nonprofits

We are aware that in these trying times you may want to help support local and regional nonprofits that are in need of assistance through donations or other forms of support. While we have a variety of grant partners and scholarship funds, we have created a short list below of local nonprofits that are working hard to create equal access funds to help support all local efforts and organizations. These funds are a great place to start and see how best to support the local community during COVID-19.

Student Resources During COVID-19

As curated from the Fed Loan Servicing by the Multnomah Athletic Foundation.

As a means of ensuring that our scholarship recipients are aware of the policies being made to assist students with loans in repayment we, the Multnomah Athletic Foundation, have pulled together a list of resources and answers to some questions you may be facing. Below you will find an overview of what is currently happening in regards to student loans and COVID-19 as well as what it means for you as a student and the various actions you should be taking or be aware of.

Fed Loan Servicing website

The Fed Loan Servicing efforts are working closely with the Department of Education to enact the relief efforts that have been announced through the CARES Act. No action is required on your part at this time. Your account should currently reflect the updated 0% interest rate. Additionally, you will receive a notification once the forbearance benefit has been applied to your account no later than April 10.

0% Interest for Student Loans

The interest rate on all federally held student loans serviced by FedLoan Servicing will temporarily be reduced to 0% until September 30, 2020.  FedLoan Servicing will automatically adjust accounts so that interest doesn’t accrue (i.e., accumulate). The account adjustment will be effective March 13, 2020.  This 0% interest rate change will be applied to all federally held loans in any status (in school, in grace, in repayment, in deferment/forbearance, etc.).

Temporary Suspension of Payments

All borrowers will automatically be placed on an administrative forbearance which will temporarily suspend monthly payments.   The administrative forbearance will last from March 13, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2020.  A borrower can request that this administrative forbearance be removed at any time. If the forbearance is removed, required payments will resume.

Payments (including Direct Debit)

Direct Debit payments are automatically suspended during the administrative forbearance.

  • Any payments (Direct Debit or otherwise) processed between March 13, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2020, can be refunded; refund requests can be made by contacting us.
  • Borrowers still have the option to make manual payments (i.e., via Account Access or mobile app) on their loans to make progress toward reducing their balance. Payments can be the full amount or a partial amount.
  • NOTE: If payments are made during the period of 0% interest (March 13, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2020), the full amount of your payments will be applied to principal once all the interest that accrued prior to March 13 is paid.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) & Income-Driven Repayment (IDR)

  • Borrowers with a Direct Loan, whom are on a qualifying repayment plan prior to the suspension, and work full-time for a qualifying employer during the suspension, will receive credit toward PSLF for the period of suspension as though on-time monthly payments were made.
  • Borrowers currently on an IDR plan will have suspended payments count toward IDR forgiveness.
  • Federal Student Aid’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) information page is located at StudentAid.gov/coronavirus. The page includes information about relief to student loan borrowers, including those who have defaulted on their federal student loans. Please visit the page regularly for updates.

Why I would not want to suspend my payments?

If you can afford to make your loan payments during the COVID-19 national emergency, you may want to continue to do so to pay off as much of your loan as possible while there is a 0% interest rate.