COVID-19 Resources

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We know the COVID-19 pandemic has and continues to impact many DMI members.  The following are links and resources that may be useful to you or your business during this time.  DMI is here to help our members and community in any way we can, so please let us know if there is anything we can do. If you have additional information that would be useful to add to this page, please contact us at info@downtownmadison.org.

Support our Community

Find ways to support local community organizations by visiting United Way of Dane County’s site volunteeryourtime.org.

Take advantage of mental health resources available to help cope with the COVID-19 pandemic provided by NAMI Dane County.

Visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services webpage, Resilient Wisconsin, which has a number of resources including tips for health coping and dealing with stress.

Use the Safe Communities 24/7 helpline for Dane County residents to reduce stress-related alcohol and drug use during the coronavirus epidemic (608) 228-1278.

Take advantage of resources developed by advocates from Legal Action of Wisconsin, Inc. including information on the Wisconsin Eviction Moratorium, the federal CARES Act protections related to housing, unemployment insurance appeals, and public benefits related to COVID testing and care.

Check out the Covid-19 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Resources from the University of Wisconsin School of Nursing.

Relief Funds:

Donate to the Dane County COVID-19 Emergency and Recovery Fund.  The fund is a collaborative effort between the United Way of Dane County, Boys & Girls Club of Dane County, Selfless Ambition and other area organizations.

Support the healthcare community by donating to the UW Health COVID-19 Response Fund and helping in other ways listed here.

Give to the Madison Community Foundation COVID-19 Priority Fund setup to provide support for the unanticipated needs of organizations operating in the arts, environment and many other.

Donate to the MMSD Community Resource Fund and MSCR Community Resource Fund established by the Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools to help direct resources to the scholars, staff and families of the Madison Metropolitan School District.

Give to the Latinx Consortium for Action Relief Fund for COVID-19 established to provide emergency relief for undocumented Latinx workers and small immigrant-owned businesses.

Give to the Downtown Madison Fund, a component fund at the Madison Community Foundation, created to promote the vitality of downtown and leverage opportunities within and immediately adjacent to Madison’s Central BID.

Support our Local Businesses

Stay up-to-date on local business specials including availability of take-out, delivery, curbside services, gift certificates, virtual experiences, and business reopening plans complied by Madison’s Central BID: visitdowntownmadison.com/2020-updates.

Check out the many restaurants and establishments in downtown Madison and throughout the City that are participating in the City of Madison Streatery Program.

Donate to the Madison Virtual Tip Jar.  This virtual tip jar is for local service industry staff – employees at bars, restaurants, salons, etc – to post their Venmo or Paypal information so that customers, neighbors, and Madison community members can continue to support them.

Business Resources

The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce has a virtual portal for employers to submit questions relating to community response, best practices for businesses, guidance from local, state and federal authorities, available assistance for affected businesses, and more.  To submit your questions, visit Slido.com and enter the event code #ASK4BIZ (not case-sensitive). Responses will be posted at madisonbiz.com/covid19faq.

The Urban League of Greater Madison has launched a COVID-19 Workforce Recovery Initiative. Workers who have been hurt by furloughs, layoffs, reduced hours, or other impacts to their employment situation or employers in need of workers now can find more info at ulgm.org/employment.

Business Re-Opening Resources:

Small Business and Non-Profit Resources:

If your organization faced reduced revenue and increased expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, consider applying for a grant through the Dane County COVID Relief Grant program. Madison Community Foundation is working with the county to run this $5 million grant program for local nonprofits that have experienced a financial impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. All Dane County public 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible to apply, and it’s anticipated that grants will range from $2,500 to $50,000 for unrestricted use, depending on revenue losses and COVID expenses in 2020. A webinar was hosted to introduce the program and answer questions. A recording is available, along with an updated FAQ sheet and the online application portal on the following website: madisongives.org/DaneCountyRecovery. The application portal will close July 19.

Dane County and the City of Madison announced an effort with Public Health Madison & Dane County that will give licensed establishments like restaurants, hotels, and campgrounds a COVID-19 credit of more than $550,000 to help rebound from the ongoing pandemic. This 30% credit will provide financial assistance to more than 3,500 qualifying establishments in Dane County.  To learn more, click here.

Dane County Small Business Grant Program has a 3rd round of grant funds available for local businesses. Dane Buy Local will administer Round 3 of the grants. Business owners are able to fill out an application form here: www.danebuylocal.com. Applications will be accepted until funds run out.  All businesses interested in receiving a grant in Round 3 will need to submit a new application. Prior applications will not be considered for this latest round of grants. Contact Colin Murray with additional questions at colin@danebuylocal.com.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has established several temporary programs to address the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, Restaurant Revitalization Fund, and Shuttered Venue Operators Grant. For additional information and status of the PPP, EIDL and other business relief options, click here.  For PPP FAQ’s, click here, information and links to the PPP Loan Forgiveness Application, click here, and the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, click here.

The state Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has made available a public information page for questions related to COVID-19 and unemployment insurance which can be viewed here.

The WWBIC COVID-19 Fast Track Loan Program is focused on existing businesses looking for business financing during COVID-19. Business owners have two options to pick from depending on their needs: a line of credit or a term loan. To learn more, click here.

The National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Employee Relief Fund was created to help restaurant industry employees experiencing extraordinary hardship in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. To learn more, click here.

DMI Member COVID-19 Resources and Services