Disaster Assistance Resource Listings for New York City Nonprofit Organizations
Last
resource addition: July 9, 2003
To help nonprofits cope with the September 11 disaster, NPCC has set up this page to help steer nonprofits toward available resources.
To post resources available, email the information to dmyers@npccny.org. Include a brief description of the item(s), and name, phone number and email of whom to contact for more information.
Funding, Loans and Links to Other Information
July 2003: 9/11 United Services Group has launched The September 11th Assistance Guide (www.sept11help.org) - a comprehensive online directory of over 160 services, programs and agencies that are still available to individuals affected in various ways by the events of September 11th.
The Assistance Guide's targeted search capability helps people affected by 9/11 locate the programs and agencies working to meet their specific needs. The Assistance Guide can be accessed by anyone with internet access. Finding help involves a simple three-step process: 1. FIND programs and agencies to meet specific needs. 2. ADD the programs you like to a customized list and print. 3. CALL the programs and agencies on that list.
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The New York State Attorney General has created a WTC Relief Info website that provides a list of charities that are providing relief, with links to their respective websites and financial information, as well as a list of other organizations compiling information on the relief effort. The website contains a search feature that permits those using it to locate charities by organization name, keyword or category of service or eligible beneficiary.
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The
Foundation Center is gathering and organizing information
on the philanthropic response of foundations, other non- profit organizations,
and corporations. The overarching goal of this national data-gathering effort
is to create a comprehensive record of the philanthropic response to these
events. We are seeking information about contributions made to particular
relief efforts as well as information about the specific relief activities
performed by various organizations. We also welcome information that will
enable us to follow up with donor and recipient organizations. A list of the
commitments by foundations and corporations that we have identified to date
is cumulated daily and made available in Philanthropy News Digest. The Foundation
Center has created an e-mail address crisisresponse@fdncenter.org as a speedy way to
receive current information about institutional philanthropy's response to
the events of September 11 and their aftermath. Please send to this e-mailbox
news items, relevant Web links, attachments, etc., that describe these efforts
and their ongoing impact. Please supply adequate contact information to allow
for any necessary follow-up. Material can also be mailed to the Center, addressed
to Crisis Response, Foundation Center, 79 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003-3076.
Rick Schoff, Senior Vice President for Information Resources and Publishing
Tel: 212-807-3621
E-mail: fks@fdncenter.org
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WTC Business Recovery Grants are available to help small and nonprofit businesses. Businesses located on or south of 14th Street on September 11 may apply for financial assistance to offset lost revenue. These grants represent newly available federal Housing and Urban Development funds for businesses with fewer than 500 employees. For information: 800/I LOVE NY or 866/227-0458, or go to www.nylovessmallbiz.com or www.newyorkbiz.com/wtc. Or visit the WTC Business Recovery centers at 2 Rector Street (between Greenwich Street and Trinity Place or at 140 Williams Street (corner of Fulton Street). Hours: M, T, Th, F from 9-5; Wed from 9am-8pm. Application Deadline: December 31, 2002.
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A Nonprofit's Guide to September 11 Relief Efforts and An Artist's Guide to September 11 Relief Efforts have been published by New York Foundation for the Arts. Copies can be requested at 212/366-6900, email artsrecoveryfund@nyfa.org. Other distribution centers can be found at http://www.nycityartscoalition.org./
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The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation announced today the creation of a special $50 million fund that would be used primarily to assist New York City cultural and performing arts organizations that have been directly affected by the events of September 11, 2001. A portion of the fund will also be used to benefit more broadly the people of the City by supporting the public parks that were so important in the aftermath of the tragedy. For more information, go to www.mellon.org/announcements.html.
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Alliance for Nonprofit Governance has a two-pager on "The Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards in a Crisis" that can be found at www.angonline.org/resources-crisis.asp
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The NYC Economic Development Corp. now has a grant program in place for service businesses in lower Manhattan affected by the WTC attack. NYC Economic Development Corporation is offering grants up to $10,000 for non-retail businesses affected by the WTC Disaster. Businesses must have 50 or fewer employees, be non-retail, have been in the Frozen Zone as it was marked on October 11, 2001 (one month after the disaster), and have applied for an SBA loan or bridge loan through an approved bank or micro-lender. Grants will be awarded for 15% of the loan amount up to $10,000. Simply by submitting a complete loan application, a qualified business can receive 15% of the loan requested up to $2,500 as a grant--even if the loan application is rejected. For more information and an application, call EDC's hotline at 866-227-0458; or visit EDC's walk in center at 110 Maiden Lane, Mon-Fri 9-5.
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The Association of the Bar of the City of New York and Morrison & Foerster, LLP has just published a handbook for small business owners and nonprofits affected by the World Trade Center disaster. The handbook provides an overview, in question and answer format, of legal topics including employment and benefits, taxation, insurance and contracts. NPCC has fifty copies to provide, on a first-come, first-served basis. It also includes legal, information, business, and other resource listings for those affected and those serving victims. To download a copy online, go to www.mofo.com/about/pbhandbook/index.htm, or go to City Bar Online at www.abcny.org and click the icon for the Helping Handbook.
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Nonprofit
Finance Fund (NFF)
NFF has created a special program for New York City nonprofits recovering
from the events of September 11th. NFF's Nonprofit Recovery Fund provides
flexible packages of grants, recoverable grants and loans to help nonprofits
return, financially speaking, to where they were before that day. The Fund
serves nonprofits that have experienced physical damage to their facilities,
are coping with interruptions of earned or contributed income as a direct
result of the events of September 11th, or are responding to increased demand
for services for victims of the attacks. To request financial assistance from
NFF's Nonprofit Recovery Fund, or for more information, please contact Ann
McKinnon at (212) 868-6710, at ann.mckinnon@nffusa.org,
or go to NFF's website..
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The
Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies
(FPWA) is offering disaster-related services:
- Funding Assistance for Agencies (e.g., transportation to assist the elderly,
support for additional staff, bilingual staff).
- Planning of training sessions (trauma, crisis response) for MSWs, clergy,
and other staff.
- Emergency supplies and funding for agencies in Lower Manhattan to help rebuild
or renovate.
- Placing volunteers with agencies.
Call FPWA at (212) 777-4800 for more information.
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Notice of Emergency Funding Availability
In response to the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, DC as well as the crash of Flight #93 in Pennsylvania, the United Way and The New York Community Trust have established The September 11th Fund. Contributions to the fund will be used to help respond to the immediate and longer-term needs of victims, their families and communities affected by the events of September 11.
The September 11th Fund is currently accepting proposals for grants to support activities during the first days and weeks of the disaster to address immediate needs. Once the governance and administrative infrastructures for the September 11th Fund are established, they will be seeking proposals to address short, intermediate and longer-term needs.
The funds disbursed by this announcement are for immediate emergency needs associated with the events of September 11. These funds should cover those activities that cannot be reimbursed by public agencies.
The Notice of Emergency Funding Availability and Proposal Requirements is available (downloadable) at www.september11fund.org under the For Agencies & Grantees tab. The Fund is striving to ensure as quick a response to your proposal as possible and you will hear from them within one week of your submission.
New
York Community Trust
212-686-0010 x559
fax: 212-532-8528
wws@nyct-cfi.org
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Seedco is prepared to offer zero interest loans of up to $500,000 to organizations that qualify for tax exemption under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code and have been displaced or otherwise directly affected by the World Trade Center disaster. Additional eligibility criteria for borrowers include location within the five boroughs of New York and other affected communities and a demonstration of losses from the disruption of operations due to the disaster.
Examples
of losses include:
-- (1) the destruction or inability to access physical assets or software
necessary to conduct operations;
-- (2) delayed receipt of funds from government or other contracts for the
delivery of services that result in the inability to meet payroll or other
current expenses;
-- (3) the inability to conduct fund generating activities (such as artistic
performances) that are central to the borrower’s mission; and
-- (4) delays in scheduled fund development activities that enable the organization
to finance ordinary course operations.
For more information, please call Catherine Gill at (212) 473-0255, ext. 301 or Peter Oliver at (212) 473-0255, ext. 345. www.seedco.org
In
addition, Seedco's World Trade Center Small Business Resource Referral
Guide can be found on-line at:
www.seedco.org/about/news/indexsb.html
Seedco
915 Broadway
New York, NY 10010
(212) 473-0255
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The Fund for the City of New York's Cash Flow Loans Program
The Fund for the City of New York’s Cash Flow Loans program is up and running.They have funds available to address emergency needs your organization may have. Please call for more assistance. For more information please contact Andrew Walrond or Shawniqua Ottley at cfl@fcny.org or 212-925-6675 or check the Fund’s web site.
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FEMA/SBA
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is working in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal, state and local agencies to assist affected businesses. The SBA makes loans available to businesses of all sizes, including nonprofits. These loans include loans for businesses to repair or replace disaster damages to property owned by the business. All businesses, including nonprofit organization, are eligible for this form of assistance.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 800/462-9029. Or visit http://www.fema.gov/nwz01/nwz01_117a.htm
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) (800) 659-2955.
Beginning March 18, 2002, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will operate an applicant assistance center at 141 Worth St. in downtown Manhattan.
The location, currently the site of FEMA’s Disaster Assistance Service Center (DASC), will provide one-on-one help to individuals seeking federal assistance for losses suffered as a result of the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center. Disaster assistance services offered by state, city and voluntary agencies will return to each organization’s respective permanent location.
The applicant assistance center will continue to operate Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The center will be closed on Saturday, March 16 to allow the departing agencies to make the transition.
Recognizing that there may be individuals who may not have registered for federal assistance for various reasons, FEMA recently extended the deadline to apply for federal assistance to September 30, 2002.
People can apply by calling the FEMA teleregistration line at 1-800-462-9029 (TTY: 1-800-462-7585) Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For those who have already applied to the agency for assistance, they can update information or check on the status of applications by calling FEMA’s Helpline at 1-800-525-0321 (TTY: 1-800-462-7585). All operators have access to translation services, accommodating the many language communities in the New York metropolitan area.
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Empire State Development Corp.
To assist affected businesses--including nonprofit organizations--the Empire State Development Corporation has established a hotline 1-800 I-LOVE-NY (1-800-456-8369) as well as business resources centers at 633 Third Avenue and at 80 Pine Street.
The telephone hotline is available Monday—Friday from 8am until 7pm, and on weekends from 10am until 7pm.
The business resource center at 633 Third Avenue is open Monday-Friday from 8am—7pm and weekends from 10am—4pm.
The business resource center at 80 Pine Street is open daily from 8am — 7pm.
Representatives on the hotline and at the resource centers can provide information on a variety of subjects, including how to obtain alternate office space, labor issues, city services, banking concerns, insurance issues, public utilities, tax issues and counseling services. In addition, information is available regarding financial assistance that may be available from federal, state and/or local agencies.
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Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft has a Handbook of Public and Private Assistance for the Victims and Families of the World Trade Center Attacks. The information is focused on affected individuals who live or work in New York City and on businesses that were located in the World Trade Center or its vicinity. Go to www.cadwalader.com/html/Firm/news.html
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From the Mayor's Voluntary Action Center. Here is a list of services available
Legal
Services
American
Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
Provides free legal services to those with disaster-related questions and
concerns, including issues involving estates, insurance and landlord-tenant
disputes.
Contact: (866) 606-0626
New
York State Bar Association
Has set up a hotline for displaced lawyers or WTC victims who need free legal
advice.
Contact: (877) HELP-321 or www.help321@nysba.org
NYC
Bar Association
Free legal advice for victims and their families regarding insurance and estate
planning.
Contact: (212) 626-7373 or www.abcny.org
National
Mental Health Association
Provides access to database of thousands of mental health programs and therapists
in New York City, and will refer you to the appropriate help in your area
-- regardless of ability to pay. Services may be free of charge. Counselors
are also available to visit at home.
Contact: (800) LIFENET (543-3638) or www.800lifenet.com
Jewish
Board of Family and Children's Services
Offers mental health counseling for adults and children. Initial consultation
is free of charge for victims of the WTC attack and their families.
Contact: (212) 397-4250
Safe
Horizon
Offers support groups for victims dealing with trauma issues as well as bereavement.
Contact (866) 689-HELP or www.safehorizon.org
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The US Office for Victims of Crimes has just published the "OVC Handbook for Coping After Terrorism". This is free from Office of Victims of Crime Resource Center, PO Box 6000, Rockville, MD 20849-6000 (800 627 6782) or can be downloaded free from their web site.
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The
Coalition of Voluntary Mental Health Agencies
has released its Community Mental Health Resource Directory, a compendium
of resources available from neighborhood based not-for-profit mental health
providers in New York City. The directory is available for download and
is available in hard copy form by calling 212-742-1600, ext. 0.
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New York City Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster has a website with useful website links and resources. (212) 442-1566 (212)-341-0670 (FAX) email: nycvoad@yahoo.com For NY Hotline/Volunteer Medical Services call 1-800-801-8092.
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The U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service have extended certain tax filing and payment deadlines for taxpayers affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. For more information check the IRS web site.
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New York Regional Association of Grantmakers is leading the efforts to coordinate immediate and long-term philanthropic response to the aftermath of the WTC attacks. Go to their web site for up-to-date news and responses of New York grantmakers. NYRAG will act as the central clearinghouse for this information.
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The Association of the Bar of the City of New York is offering free legal advice to small businesses located below Canal Street who were affected by the World Trade Center Disaster. If you have any questions or concerns about: Property Damages, Property Insurance, COBRA Health Insurance, Loss of Income, Unemployment Assistance, Employment of Immigrants, New York State and Federal Assistance, Taxes, Any other legal issues
If you are in need of legal advice, please call: The Legal Referral Service of the New York City and County Bar Associations (212) 626-7373 or (212) 626-7374 (for Spanish).
Additionally, teams of lawyers are available to provide legal advice to small business owners at small business centers located at 62 Mott Street, 80 Centre Street, and 110 Maiden Lane.
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Lawyers Alliance for New York is prepared
to meet the legal needs of nonprofit groups that are responding to the attack
on the World Trade Center. Organizations that are collecting funds for disaster
relief, providing adult or youth grief counseling and education programs,
offering job placement activities for workers formerly employed at affected
sites, or otherwise responding to the tragedy should contact us for information
and assistance regarding any legal questions arising from their efforts.Please
contact:
Lori Moses
Lawyers Alliance for New York
330 Seventh Avenue, 19th Floor
New York, N.Y. 10001
(212)219-1800, ext. 223
lmoses@lany.org
Among Lawyers Alliance's highest priorities is working with nonprofit groups that are struggling to recover from the impact of the September 11th attacks. We are providing real estate, contract, employment law and counsel on a full range of nonlitigation legal needs to groups located in lower Manhattan and elsewhere in New York as they try to get back on their feet. We are able to provide those services on a pro bono basis, completely without charge to the nonprofits that we serve, because we have seen an outpouring of volunteer support from the legal community since September 11th. In addition, many not-for-profit organizations have questions that are particular to not-for-profit organizations and charitable giving. In some instances these questions are from those affected by the disaster, and in others these questions are from those who are participating in disaster relief efforts. The Lawyers Alliance for New York has created a document to provide general guidance to not-for-profit organizations and pro bono attorneys who are assisting them. They are being distributed for informational purposes only and are not meant to be nor should be considered a substitute for qualified legal counsel.
Questions & Answers for Nonprofit Organizations
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Metro NY Better Business Bureau and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance have an online database containing information on over 275 charities raising money or providing services related to September 11. The database can be accessed at www.newyork.bbb.org.
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The Manhattan Chamber of Commerce has set up a WTC Crisis hotline with many referrals and resources as well as reached out to city, state and federal officials with all of MCC members offerings of office space and business services. This is updated daily with offerings from their members. Visit their website or view the listing of resources that they have put together. Also, if you need office space, email your needs to spacebank@rebny.com
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Verizon Foundation has a web page that lists resources and information with contacts and hyperlinks.
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Americans for the Arts has a page on its website listing resources for arts groups affected..
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FIVE PRESERVATION ORGANIZATIONS CREATE EMERGENCY FUND FOR NYC’s HISTORIC DOWNTOWN: a consortium of five historic preservation organizations will create the Lower Manhattan Emergency Preservation Fund. The Fund will make grants to help alleviate the impact of the disaster and to stabilize, renovate, and restore damaged historic sites in Lower Manhattan. The five co-sponsors of the Fund are: the World Monuments Fund, an international preservation organization based in New York City; the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a national group, headquartered in Washington, DC, with 8 regional offices and more than 250,000 members across the United States; the Preservation League of New York State, a statewide organization located in Albany; the Municipal Art Society, a 108 year-old citywide advocacy group; and, the New York Landmarks Conservancy, a non-profit organization that offers technical and financial assistance for preservation.
For
additional information or comments about the Lower Manhattan Emergency Preservation
Fund, please contact the following individuals
World Monuments Fund: Jeanne Collins, 646-486-7050
National Trust for Historic Preservation: Beth Newberger, 202-588-6043
Preservation League of New York State: Scott Heyl, 518-462-5658 X0
Municipal Art Society: Linda Miller, 212-935-3960 X246
New York Landmarks Conservancy: Bruce Cohen, 212-580-9548
For updates on the Fund’s activities in Lower Manhattan, please log on to the co-sponsors websites (listed above) or go to www.nycpreservation911.org.
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Volunteer Opportunities
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New York Cares has deployed thousands of volunteers to assist with relief-related activities. Nonprofits with immediate volunteer needs should contact Chris Toward, Disaster Recovery Program Developer at 212-228-5000, x355 or by email at Chris_Toward@nycares.org. to discuss fulfilling its needs.
Groups of people (teams of five or more volunteers) looking to volunteer their services should contact Kristi Neidhardt at 212/228-5000, extension 324. Individuals wishing to volunteer should visit www.nycares.org and choose the "register to help with the relief effort" option.
New
York Cares is available to help non-profits quickly meet needs for volunteers.
New York Cares has so far deployed thousands of volunteers to assist in relief-related
activities. Some examples of requests that they have recently fulfilled, which
comprise thousands of volunteers, are as follows:
- staffing a City-run hotline that provides information on the death certification
process to families of the missing
- serving meals at a respite center for relief workers close to Ground Zero
- sorting, packaging and distributing disaster relief supplies at several
warehouses
- bookkeeping related to the Red Cross' emergency funds distribution efforts.
Organizations that need volunteers can call New York Cares at 212-228-5000 and ask for Chris Toward (or email him at Chris_Toward@nycares.org). Individuals wishing to volunteer should visit their website, and choose the Register to Help with the Relief Effort option
New York Cares, 116 East 16th Street, 6th Floor, New York, Ny 10003-2112.