State Public Policy Resources on COVID-19

Governments at all levels took action in response to the coronavirus pandemic beginning in spring 2020. Congress provided federal funding for state, territorial, local, and Tribal governments that were to “cover costs that are necessary expenditures incurred” due to COVID-19.

State governments responded by partnering with nonprofits, adjusting government grants and contracts, providing unemployment insurance, and allocating funding. 

Federal Funding

Congress provided federal funding for state, territorial, local, and Tribal governments that were to “cover costs that are necessary expenditures incurred” due to COVID-19.

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities (CARES) Act

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities (CARES) Act  appropriated $150 billion for a Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) to be used to “respond directly to the emergency” and address medical or public health needs and economic support for employment or business interruptions, including unemployment costs and payments. Updated FAQs on CRF made explicit that nonprofits may be used to assist the distribution of CRF Fund payments, clarifying for state governments that nonprofits are critical allies for relief and recovery. Nonprofits were also eligible for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) under the Act.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

Under the American Rescue Plan Act, Congress allocated $350 billion in in Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (CSLFRF) for state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments to use in providing “assistance to households, small businesses, and nonprofits, or to aid impacted industries” (emphasis added). CSLFRF funds are allocated separately to states, to counties, to metropolitan cities, and non-entitlement areas. Learn more in a Special Report: Strengthening State and Local Economies in Partnership with Nonprofits: Principles, Recommendations, and Models for Investing Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.

• State and Local Funds | American Rescue Plan Funds, National Council of Nonprofits

Additional Funding

Separate state and local funds have been created through state appropriations and private philanthropy and donations, as well as through COVID-19 Foundation Response Funds and community foundations. Some nonprofits have successfully advocated to be eligible recipients of fund grants and loans from public funds. 

State-Specific Resources

Nonprofits across the country quickly provided resources and partnered with governments and officials dedicated to responding to the crisis.

State association leaders were positioned to lead government-nonprofit partnerships by joining task forces and committees in Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New York City, and Tennessee.

Fifteen state associations hosted town halls with more than 38 Members of Congress as well as six governors and dozens of state legislators and officials to advocate for nonprofit resources and finances to help respond to the pandemic. Letters were sent on behalf of state associations and nonprofit partners to 23 governors as well as state legislative leaders and government officials.

State Association Coronavirus Policy Resource Pages

• Connecticut
• Illinois
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• New Mexico
• New York
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia

Additional Resources

Government-Nonprofit Grants/Contracts

• The Economic Impact of NYC’s Nonprofit Sector with NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer (50:54), Nonprofit New York, Oct. 6, 2020

Unemployment Insurance Resources

• Unemployment Insurance, National Council of Nonprofits
• Don’t Let Senseless Unemployment Policies Sink Nonprofits—Act Now!, Nonprofit Quarterly, May 8, 2020

State Legislatures

• State Action on Coronavirus (COVID-19), National Conference of State Legislatures; provides legislative actions in response to coronavirus

Contact Information for State & Local Officials

• State and Local COVID-19 Response Information, Multistate; lists key state contact information