Last updated May 18, 2020
On March 27, 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) to "provid[e] emergency assistance and health care response for individuals, families, and businesses affected by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic." A supplemental act providing
The CARES Act includes the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that sets aside $349 billion to offer loans to small businesses, including churches and non-profits. The loans are 100% forgivable. The General Council on Finance and Administration, Wespath and other general agencies and organizations are creating resources to help churches access the loans. Among the newest is guidance for churches completing the application.
Below are some resources explaining how churches and small businesses can utilize the opportunities available to them through the CARES Act and PPP. Return often as the list is frequently updated. The newest resources are listed first..
- (new) IRS Employee Retention Credit for Churches
- (new) Information for Churches that Did Not Receive a Loan Through PPP
- Paycheck Protection Program Loan Application Guidance (GCFA and Wespath) (rev. May 13, 2020)
- The Paycheck Protection Program and The United Methodist Church (video) (GCFA)
- Paycheck Protection Program (GCFA/LBMC) (rev. April 9, 2020)
- Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act FAQ (GCFA) (rev. April 7, 2020)
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act (GCFA) (rev. May 8, 2020)
- CARES Act -- Summary of impact for The UMC (Wespath)
- The CARES Act may save your church by Ken Sloane (Discipleship Ministries)
- CARES Act could be a lifeline for local churches by Ken Sloane (Discipleship Ministries)
- How your church can beneift from the CARES Act Payroll Protection Loan (Horizons Stewardship)