10 Companies That Are Doing Small Businesses a Solid Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 has massively disrupted the world in more ways than I can count. This is particularly true in the SMB and retail sectors, where non-essential businesses are left with no choice but to temporarily close their doors. 

Many small businesses are struggling and are looking for support, which is why it’s good to see other companies stepping up to give SMBs a hand. This post puts the spotlight on some of these efforts. Have a look below and share the info with a small biz owner who needs it. 

Bumble, for Business

Bumble, the networking-slash-dating app recently announced that it will be giving up to $5,000 in monetary support to small businesses who are struggling because of COVID-19. To apply, business owners just need to download the Bumble app and match with the Bumble Community Grants profile.

The initiative is available to businesses in the US, UK, Canada, India, Australia, Germany, Mexico, and France.

Payment Depot

Payment Depot, a membership-based credit card processor, takes a more personal approach to help its merchants. Payment Depot’s COO, Randy Hayashi, reached out to the company’s members letting them know that he — and the rest of the team — are willing to help struggling merchants. 

“All you have to do is reach out, and we will do what we can (within reason) to assist you,” he wrote. “We are in an unprecedented time right now, so we may have to think outside of the box. The Payment Depot family consists of over 10,000 members across every industry and every state. I believe our network of businesses can help each other.” 

Payment Depot has put together a directory of its merchants that are still doing business during this time. The resource lists each merchant’s contact details, along with information on how customers can buy their products and services amidst the coronavirus pandemic. 

The directory has been shared with Payment Depot’s members and the wider community, so people can easily find businesses that they can support. 

Vend

I may be a little biased, considering I work for Vend, but I’m truly proud of the work that the team has done to support retailers during this period. Aside from launching the COVID-19 Retailer Action Plan, a hub filled with resources on the coronavirus, Vend is also arming retailers with tools they need so they can keep marketing and selling their products. 

Retailers can get three months free on Vend’s advanced loyalty program, powered by Marsello, plus three months on BigCommerce’s powerful ecommerce platform. Both solutions integrate with Vend seamlessly, so merchants can get up and running quickly. 

Meanwhile, existing Vend retailers who need to shut down their operations can put their accounts “on ice” so they won’t have a monthly bill to worry about. 

Facebook

Facebook will soon be providing $100 million in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 small businesses. The funds can be used to support your workforce, cover operating costs, and reach more customers. 

At the time of writing this, Facebook hasn't shared a ton of details yet, but you can head to the Facebook Small Business Grants Program page to sign up for updates.

Compliant IA

The retail audit platform Compliant IA, is offering free Coronavirus site inspection software to ensure that businesses operating physical locations can keep their establishments — and the people in it — safe and healthy. 

Users can create a free account and use the following checklists in their business:

• COVID-19 Checklist for Retail and Hospitality 
• Food Safety Checklist 
• Health and Safety Checklist 
• Temporary Store Closing Checklist 
• Store Reopening Checklist

Square

As an immediate response to the coronavirus pandemic, Square issued refunds for all its software subscription fees for March 2020. According to its website:

We are refunding all software subscription fees for the month of March for existing sellers who currently use Square Appointments, Retail, Restaurants, Loyalty, Team Management, Payroll, Marketing, and Square Online Store. Square will manage the process for you—there’s no need to do anything.

Square also invites merchants to use its curbside pickup and local delivery options, and the company is waiving pickup and delivery fees for the next 3 months. 

Calendly

For people working from home, Calendly is offering Premium features like its Zoom and GoToMeeting integrations for free through June 2020. 

The company is also providing free premium plan access to teams who are helping to solve the coronavirus health crisis. Just email covidresearch@calendly.com for more details.

Genbook

Customer communication is key during a time like this. To help businesses effectively relay information with their customers, Genbook, an appointment scheduling software for SMBs, is offering a free Crisis Communication Pack.

The resource contains templates for communicating availability, as well as social media posts, stories, and email templates for relaying information during times of crisis.

Genbook also launched #SpreadLoveInstead, a campaign for inspiring the public to support their favorite service-based businesses. Genbook will boost referrals and awareness for its business directory, which gets upwards of one million monthly client visitors. From there, the company will encourage clients to support their favorite Genbook businesses by purchasing gift certificates that they can use at a later time.

ConvertKit

ConvertKit created a fund to help creators in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund, which was initially worth $50,000 was increased to $185,300, thanks to ConvertKit's partners. The company will be giving up to $500 per creator, and the money can be used towards a variety of purposes, including childcare, groceries, or the creator's rent/mortgage. 

Do note that the ConvertKit has received more than 14,000 applications, and thus won't be able to help everyone who applies.

"Our current fund will be exhausted well before we can get to everyone. We would still love to hear from you, but we want to be transparent about our ability to help at this time," wrote the company on its website.

Management One

Management One, a firm that offers inventory planning solutions for retailers, is running a 6-Part Webinar Series for retailers to guide them through the COVID-19 pandemic. "Hundreds of retailers have already attended sessions regarding marketing strategies for closed stores, lease negotiations with landlords, leveraging merchandise intelligence and more," comments Nico Cabral, Director of Marketing at Management One.

Want to add more companies to the list?

We’re going through a rough time, which makes it all the more important for us to help each other. If you know of other companies doing a great at supporting small businesses during this tough period, let me know — I’d like to add them to the list.