Nimiipuu Fund Coronavirus COVID-19 Notice

Due to the current Public Health Emergency declared by the Chairman of the Nez Perce Tribe to align with health professionals and CDC-mandated social distancing and quarantine, the NCDF Board of Directors approved closing our physical office, beginning March 20, 2020 and continuing until further notice. We are still providing assistance by email or through our online system for current loans, applications for new loans, and making appointments for clients.

Nimiipuu Fund will continue to monitor this fluid situation and provide updates through email, our website and social media posts.

Nimiipuu Fund loans and concerns with payment. We recommend that you notify our office if you need assistance with payment options for your loan with employer payroll deduction or bank transfer form. If you need relief on your loan at this time, we can find ways to restructure your loan or delay/suspend payments, please contact us. Note that no contact and missed payments may impact your credit with our regular credit reporting process. Options for restructure or forbearance are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

We are still processing new loan applications for our consumer and small business loans, information on our loan options to help you and your small business at this time can be found at www.nimiipuufund.org/loans-services and complete “contact us” access to our online system.

Nimiipuu Fund staff will continue to work remotely to provide services and loans with regular coordination calls and tasks to continue operations. Staff are available and can be reached at [email protected] or [email protected]. You can also call our office at 208-621-3729.

Business Resources

Idaho SBDC at North Central Idaho – LCSC

SBDC is working remotely and offering free online business consultation and planning courses. You may contact Barbara Leachman, Executive Director at 208-792-2465 or you can email [email protected]. Nimiipuu Fund will provide scholarships to individual or business owners who want to participate in their upcoming virtual workshops. You must contact our office if you are interested as class size is limited.

AVAILABLE NOW: Webinar – Business Base Camp – Where Ideas Get Started; FREE and available online, Instructor: Kim Sherman-Labrum

Business Base Camp is a two hour interactive workshop aimed at discovering the feasibility of your business idea. The first section covers the topics every new business must know. The second half covers using the Business Model Canvas to test the feasibility of your idea. VIEW HERE

March 27, 2020: Webinar – Anywhere – Write Your Business Plan Now, 9:00 am – 11:30 am, $25, Instructor: Barbara Leachman

Want a business plan but can’t seem to get it done? Take out your pen or use a laptop NOW. This workshop is the time to make it happen! Your plan could help you with starting, buying, selling, growing, or raising capital. A written business plan makes you more likely to be successful with your endeavors. We have a Ten-Step process that will get you from your goals to your next action steps. Each of the ten steps will be explained and time will be provided for you to write, ask questions, and get feedback. Register online.

April 3, 2020: Webinar – Anywhere – Create a Business Website Online NOW, 9:00 am – 11:30 am, $25, Instructor: Barbara Leachman

From your first header to Calls For Action, bring your content or follow along as we create a free Google website. Then, get your business on the map, including photos and key phrases NOW. Bring your Gmail password. Register online.

May 1, 2020: Webinar – Anywhere – 30 Steps to Evaluate and Improve Your Website Action, 9:00 am – 11:30 am, $25, Instructor: Barbara Leachman

Take a few minutes every morning, to optimize your website for search engines and customers. For example: Step #21 – Customize menu titles, #3 – Claim directory sites. Register online

IDRS ACORN Project

One of our partners in business development. IDRS ACORN and Nimiipuu Fund are working on providing virtual training in Native Artist development and Business Planning. You can find more information on IDRS at https://www.nativebiz.org/

Economic Injury Federal Disaster Assistance

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Assistance Loan at h ttps://www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/coronavirus-covid-19

Disaster Loan Assistance Available: Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs)

Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.

Credit Requirements:

• Credit History – Applicants must have a credit history acceptable to SBA.
• Repayment – Applicants must show the ability to repay the loan.
• Collateral – Collateral is required for all EIDL loans over $25,000. SBA takes real estate as collateral when it is available. SBA will not decline a loan for lack of collateral, but SBA will require the borrower to pledge collateral that is available.

Cornonavirus Relief Bill

The US Government passed a relief bill aimed at, among other things, helping small businesses across the US pay for employee sick leave. Here’s a summary Legislation Passed by the US Gov’t and how it might affect your business.

Department of Labor

Employees can file for Unemployment Insurance Benefits if their hours are reduced or their work place has closed due to Covid-19. Filing for benefits can be done online on our website https://www.labor.idaho.gov/dnn/.

We highly recommend applicants use a desktop computer and not a phone or tablet. The software is not mobile optimized. Applicants can file in office on lobby computers.

For questions about unemployment,

Claimants can call 208-332-8942.
Employers can call 208-947-1055

Please expect longer than usual hold times to reach a Claims Specialist.

Nez Perce Tribe and Nimiipuu Health Response Team

The Nez Perce Tribe and Nimiipuu Health response to COVID-19 can be found at link below. Here you can find the latest information, resources and data. Learn more.