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COVID-19 Resources

Advisories, Business Relief & Recovery Resources

The Downtown Boston BID has assembled a list of resources for commercial property owners, retail business owners, office tenants, residents, and other constituencies impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. With the situation changing rapidly, this curated guide is being updated regularly. We advise that you bookmark this page and return to it frequently throughout these challenging times. The Downtown Boston BID remains operational, is continuing on its mission, and is available to assist in any way possible. 

Resources by Category
Government Advisories
Resources For The Commercial Real Estate Industry & Rental Property Managers:
  • BOMA International has assembled a coronavirus resource center that includes a series of guidance documents. 
  • CIC Boston has developed a document--which is being updated frequently as new COVID-related research gets published--detailing its office safety plan. 
  • The City of Boston released guidelines outlining how construction projects shut-down by the COVID-19 pandemic can resume operations.
  • NAIOP Massachusetts has developed a COVID-19 resources page that contains guidance on statewide construction moratoriums and other useful info for the local real estate industry. 
  • The National Apartment Association has created a COVID-19 resources page covering many aspects of managing rental properties during the ongoing crisis.
Resources For Hospitality, Lodging, & Travel Organizations:
Resources For Restaurants:
Resources For Retailers:
  • The Retailers Association of Massachusetts has created a section on its website with useful links for area retailers to help guide them through the COVID-19 crisis. 
Resources For Small Businesses:
  • American Express has established an essential business insights page, which includes tips for employees, recommendations for managing supply chain challenges, and insights on navigating coronavirus-related business mandates. 
  • The City of Boston has launched a Reopen Boston Fund. The Economic Development Office has published a COVID-19 page. Finally, please visit the the City's Small Business Development website.  
  • The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has assembled a COVID-19 Resources & Guidance page for businesses, which includes information about how to apply for federal small business disaster recovery loans.
  • The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce has developed a COVID-19 Business Resources page, which includes many useful links across multiple categories.
  • The Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC) and Citizens Bank have partnered to develop a small business recovery grant program for Massachusetts, with grants available of up to $10,000. 
  • The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network has built a “COVID-19: what you need to know as a small business” resources page, containing a number of useful links.
  • Risk Strategies Co. has prepared a document advising small businesses on risk-management strategies pertaining to public events. 
  • The U.S. Small Business Association’s Disaster Loan has an application portal that is designed specifically for the COVID-19 crisis. It additionally offers a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep workers on payroll, along with an Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance, a loan advance of $10,000--which does not have to be repaid--that is available to applicants who have been approved for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan.
  • The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act was signed into law to provide over $900 billion in emergency assistance.
Resources For Nonprofit Organizations:
Resources For The Arts Community:
  • The City of Boston has established an Artist Relief Fund website. 
  • The Massachusetts Cultural Council has created a COVID-19 resources & info page for artists, containing many useful links. 
  • The New England Foundation For The Arts has developed a COVID-19 resources page, with numerous helpful links for area artists. 
  • The Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts is continuing to waive service fees for artists and organizations suffering financial hardship due to the coronavirus. While their physical office is closed for now, they are still answering calls (617.350.7600) and emails ([email protected]). You can also schedule a time to connect with the Arts & Business Council Support Team. Currently they are offering 15 minute blocks of time on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 
How You Can Help Out:
  • The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has created a COVID-19 donation page. Health professionals looking to volunteer their services can fill-out a volunteer form.
  • MassBio has created the Massachusetts Life Sciences Emergency Supply Hub, with the goal of getting crucial equipment to the state’s healthcare institutions so that testing and treatment of COVID-19 can be undertaken.
  • Your favorite restaurants are suffering as a result of the COVID-19 health crisis. Sales are down across the country, and jobs are at risk. You can help. 
  • The service industry is a big part of Downtown Boston's neighborhood. A Go Fund Me site has been created for service workers in Boston. The site is currently fundraising for 335 industry workers who have reported to us a loss of income, or unemployment entirely.
  • If you've ever had a meaningful experience at any Big Night venue, and if you have the means to contribute, the owners (who have donated $100,000) humbly ask you to join them in supporting the affected employees during these intense and challenging times. 
How You Can Seek Financial & Well-Being Help: