COVID-19 Resources for Small Business Owners

Accion Opportunity Fund is committed to supporting small businesses that are financially struggling amidst the difficult last year. If you are a business owner whose business has been impacted by the pandemic, check out our COVID-19 resources for small business owners.

• If you are an existing customer who has been impacted by COVID-19 and are concerned about missing a loan payment:
  • Contact us at 877-629-2709 or paymentsupport@opportunityfund.org

We understand that this is a very difficult time for you, your family, and your business. We are committed to providing you with the best customer service through this crisis and beyond. 

Educational Webinar Series

We are pleased to offer a webinar series to keep entrepreneurs informed about helpful COVID-19 resources for small business owners and best practices during this crisis:

• Wednesday, July 14 at 1:00pm ET | 10:00am PT – Use Financial Statements to Make Strong Business Decisions

Business Advising and Support Resources

(Offered for free in partnership with Accion Opportunity Fund)

MicroMentor: Need an expert to guide your 2021 marketing plan and reach new customers?

MicroMentor connects entrepreneurs and mentors devoted to solving business challenges. Opportunity Fund is offering this service to small business owners in English and Spanish for free! Sign up to get expert advice on financial planning and record keeping, applying for loans and grants, pivoting to new business models, marketing to new customers, and adopting alternative sales channels, to name a few.   

Visit MicroMentor to get started today!

Trust Plus: Is getting your personal finances in order one of your 2021 resolutions?

TrustPlus offers free one-on-one personal financial coaching in English and Spanish to small business owners, sponsored by Opportunity Fund. Some of the coaching areas include: establishing a savings account, managing debt and improving credit score. 

To sign-up, go to the TrustPlus webpage or text “OppFund” to (646) 349-5959

MOBI (My Own Business Institute): Looking to earn a university certificate this year?

MOBI is the world’s leading provider of free online education entrepreneurs. There are two ways to learn:

1. Enroll: Choose among three entrepreneur courses and earn a Certificate of Completion in just 20 hours from Santa Clara University. 
2. Browse: 35 topics to find answers to your most immediate business questions. 

Start courses here!

Trusted Partner Resources

• Start Small Think Big: pro bono remote legal assistance clinic
  • To request assistance, please complete and submit a COVID-19 Assistance Request Form
• Small Business Majority: national small business organization that empowers entrepreneurs
  • Daily Updates for Small Businesses 
  • Office Hours: Small Business Crisis Hotline
• SpringFour: online directory of trusted resources
  • Find local support for childcare, utility costs, rental assistance, and so much more
• Inner City Capital Connections: free leadership training program for business owners recovering from the impacts of COVID-19
  • Learn more and apply for the program’s local cohort near you

Resources for California Business Owners

• PPE Unite: free PPE for LA County small businesses
  • The Los Angeles SBDC Network, LA County, Cal OES, Go-BIZ and VSEDC have partnered to launch PPE Unite
  • Sign up now!
• Cal Coastal Small Business Development Center: New Loan Fund in Monterey County
  • Emergency loan fund and microloan programs for Monterey County and City of Salinas
  • To get started, potential borrowers may submit a pre-qualification on their website at: www.calcoastal.org/pre-qualification or by phone at (831)-676-2020

Resource Guides

• Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) COVID-19 Resources
• Venturize by Small Business Majority
  • free online resource hub for small business owners
• Gusto’s daily grant and loan updates
• Hello Alice COVID-19 Resource Center

Past Webinar Recordings

You can also watch the following recordings of past webinars we have hosted:

• Financial Management Webinars:
  • An Economic Outlook for Small Business Owners
  • Cash Flow Planning for Small Businesses: Expect the Unexpected
  • Small Business Taxes 101
  • Fundamentals of Financial Documents
  • Budget Planning for the New Year
  • Cash Flow Management
  • Financial Management 101
  • Build or Maintain Good Credit After Crisis
  • Budgeting and Forecasting for Unstable Revenues
  • Managing Cash During an Emergency
  • SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program
• Operations Webinars:
  • Cybersecurity for Small Businesses
  • Staying Mentally Strong During Crisis Recovery
  • Reopening Your Business During Uncertain Economic Times
  • Revising Your Business Plan for Recovery
  • Recursos para Empresas Pequenas Durante la Pandemia de COVID-19
  • Legal and Practical Considerations for Employers
  • Adapting Your Supply Chain
  • Protect Your Business from Predators and Fraud
  • Leveraging Resources to Survive and Thrive – also available in Spanish
  • Crisis Management for Small Businesses 
• Sales and Marketing Webinars:
  • Brand Storytelling and Design
  • Get Distributed!
  • The Art of the Pitch in the COVID Era
  • Las Redes Sociales y del Marketing Digital
  • Stay Connected To Your Customers

• Los talleres en español: 
  • Introducción a los impuestos para pequeñas empresas
  • Estrategias para Reconstruir y Operar su Negocio
  • Las Redes Sociales y Marketing Digital 
  • La importancia de enfocarnos en nuestras finanzas
• Micromentor
  • Desarrolle una relación con un mentor de negocios quien podrá ayudarle a manejar la problemática económica causada por la pandemia. Para registrarse en español, seleccione “español” en la parte superior de la página web.
• TrustPlus
  • Asesoría especializada que lo ayudará a aliviar sus preocupaciones financieras personales. Para registrarse en español, seleccione “español” en la parte superior de la página web.
• League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC): Kit de recursos para el COVID-19
• COVID-19 Recursos para Comunidades Indocumentadas: Recursos nacionales y estadales
• Hello Alice: Centro de pequeñas empresas hispanas
• Bet Tzedek & LA Represents 
  • Bet Tzedek y LA Represents ayudan a los propietarios de pequeñas empresas en Los Angeles a encontrar recursos legales gratuitos para resolver problemas causados por la pandemia de COVID-19. 
  • Estamos aquí para ayudarle: https://www.bettzedek.org/nuestros-servicios/justicia-economica/recursos-legales-de-preguntas-de-covid-para-empresas-pequenas/?lang=es

As an organization, Accion Opportunity Fund stands with everyone calling for an end to racism and injustice and to affirm: Black Lives Matter. Please see our full statement HERE for Anti-racism Resources to learn about how you can take action.