The Pittsburgh Foundation

Past webinar series for nonprofits navigating COVID-19

Sign up to attend the COVID-19 webinar series sessions.
Sign up to attend the COVID-19 webinar series sessions.

During the unprecedented COVID-19 public health and economic crisis, The Pittsburgh Foundation is partnering with global law firm Jones Day and other local and national experts (listed below) to offer a series of one-hour webinars addressing essential issues for nonprofit leaders. Together, we will provide nonprofits the same kind of world-class information that large, private-sector organizations are receiving. The presentations will be shared with other community foundations and nonprofit networks across the country. 

Note: The webinar series has ended, but you may view past recordings below. 

WEBINAR SCHEDULE
 

  • Thursday, April 9, 10:15 a.m. 
    [View webinar recording  |  Presentation slides]
    WORKFORCE-MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS IN A COVID WORLD
    Speaker:  Jim Urban, Partner, Jones Day
    As employers, you are facing the difficult decision regarding whether to dismiss, temporarily furlough or reduce the hours or salary of employees, and you need to be aware of the cash outlay, administrative burden and impact on your employees of each alternative path before executing a plan.  Nonprofit employers who self-insure for purposes of unemployment compensation also need to be aware of the dollar-for-dollar liability you potentially face, how the CARES Act likely eliminates about half of it, and what the states expect regarding the liability that will remain due and payable.  
  • Friday, April 10, 10:15 a.m.
    [View webinar recording  |  Presentation slides]

    UNDERSTANDING THE CARES ACT: HOW THE CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF AND ECONOMIC SECURITY ACT IMPACTS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
    Speakers:  Cathy Livingston, Partner, Jones Day and Robin Overby, Associate, Jones Day
    The presentation will review the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program made available to nonprofits under the CARES Act.  Unemployment benefits, deferral of certain payroll taxes and the payroll retention credit will also be discussed.  In addition, important information about the individual payments coming from the IRS will be provided.
  • Monday, April 13, 10:15 a.m. 
    [View webinar recording  |  Presentation slides]

    STATE PROGRAM UPDATE
    Speakers:  Randy Vulakovich, Senior Principal, Government Relations, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC,  Matt Smith, President of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce and Jennifer Beer, Vice President, Government Affairs at Allegheny Conference on Community Development
    The novel COVID-19 virus has created a flurry of activity at all levels of government. In Washington, D.C., three major legislative packages have already been signed into law with a fourth in the works. While the Commonwealth is actively monitoring and eagerly awaiting the resources that will be flowing into the state, the Governor and Pennsylvania General Assembly are working day and night to create Pennsylvania’s response to this unprecedented challenge. This session will provide an update on what Governor Tom Wolf and the Legislature are doing do to position Pennsylvania’s response and recovery.  The panelists will share the latest on topics such as Pennsylvania executive orders and actions, passed and pending legislation, the upcoming 2020/21 state budget, as well as state programs available (or in the works) to the non-profit community. 

    EQUITY IN SMALL BUSINESS AND RELIEF PROGRAMS
    Speaker:  Matt Madia, Chief Strategy and Development Officer, Bridgeway Capital
    Federal, state, and local initiatives have poured billions of dollars into providing working capital to businesses impacted by COVID-19. Are these resources reaching low-income people and communities of color who are already so vulnerable to economic disruption? 
    NAVIGATING AND UNDERSTANDING THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM
    Speaker: Nick Spanakis, Head of Healthcare Business Banking, PNC
    During this segment, Nick Spanakis will ensure participants know that the Paycheck Protection Program loan is a viable option, how to prepare for completing the application process and what to expect along the way.  He will also provide answers to some of the frequently asked questions that he and his PNC team have received from nonprofits over the last few days relating to COVID-19.
  • Tuesday, April 14, 10:15 a.m.   
    [View webinar recording]
    [Other webinar materials:  Unemployment Rights and Resources – COVID-19   |  Western PA Fraud Task Force Hotline]

    STATE AND FEDERAL SOLUTIONS FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT 
    Speakers:  Scott Brady, United States Attorney for the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and Josh Shapiro, Attorney General of Pennsylvania
    While families, businesses and our civic leaders are reacting to the COVID-19 pandemic in order to best protect the citizens of western Pennsylvania and their loved ones, the Pennsylvania Attorney General and the Department of Justice and federal law enforcement continue to protect us against an “unprecedented” wave of COVID-19-related fraud and cyber scams.  Scott Brady, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, will share his office’s work in combating C19 fraud, including naming the first COVID-19 Fraud Coordinator in the country, creating the first dedicated COVID-19 fraud hotline for citizens who have been victimized by scammers, and  Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Brady will describe the formation of the first joint federal-state COVID-19 Fraud Task Force in the nation.  The speakers will share the types of scams they are seeing in the Commonwealth and nationally and that have been reported to the Western PA C19 Task Force, as well as engagement with the private sector to identify and disrupt fraud. Brady will also discuss the $850M in DOJ grants recently allocated for cities and municipalities to assist their C19 responses.  Attorney General Shapiro will discuss his efforts to launch PA CARES, designed to assist organizations successfully navigate this crisis.
  • Wednesday, April 15, 10:15 a.m. 
    [View webinar recording  |  Presentation slides]

    TELEHEALTH: USING TECHNOLOGY TO MEET CRITICAL HEALTH & EDUCATIONAL NEEDS DURING COVID & BEYOND 
    Speakers:  Alexis Gilroy, Partner, Jones Day and Maureen Bennett, Partner, Jones Day
    Telehealth and e-learning methods have been in place for decades.  Yet, the current crisis places a spotlight on these technology-enabled approaches like never before.  In fact, they could be valuable tools, even utilizing the same tech devices and platforms, to meet critical health and ongoing educational needs among high-risk populations.  This session will describe typical telehealth use cases, discuss key stakeholders for support of telehealth networks, and review some of the legal categories organizations will need to consider and navigate for standing-up programs.  A particular focus will be how organizations could support both telehealth and e-learning efforts with unified streamlined tech, networks, and regulatory support.  

    THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON FAMILY CAREGIVERS: UNPRECEDENTED PANDEMIC = UNPRECEDENTED FEAR 
    Speaker:  Nancy Murray, Senior VP of Achieva and President, The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh
    The session will cover universal fears experienced by families and the specific fears experienced by family caregivers, including the rationing of care.  Ideas for managing the stress of caregivers will also be discussed.
  • Thursday, April 16, 10:15 a.m. 
    [View webinar recording  | Presentation slides]
    PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS FROM NONPROFIT EXECUTIVES ON THE FRONT LINES
    Speaker: Dave Coplan, Executive Director, Human Services Center
    During this brief session, we will cover implementing Executive Leave as a means to accommodate a fluid environment, the role of quick staff meetings via Zoom (or other platforms), and emerging work from home or remote decisions. Discussion will include borrowing options, cash management, spenddown of endowment and other financial management issues.

    CASH FLOW AND STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS TO ENABLE RECOVERY 
    Speaker: Susan Maloney, CPA, Firm Director, Baker Tilly
    During this session, Sue Maloney from Baker Tilly, a CPA and advisory firm, will outline factors to consider during the short-term, midterm and long-term and how organizations can use strategic scenario planning to drive decisions. This presentation will explore how planning for various scenarios can address uncertainties as they become realities and adapt, not only in the current financial situation, but for the “new normal.”

    EMPLOYMENT SERVICES DURING AND AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC 
    Speaker: Susie Puskar, Chief Program Officer, Partner4Work
    Partner4Work is the workforce development board for Allegheny County and the City of Pittsburgh. Partner4Work will share the re-employment resources available to individuals who have lost their jobs and to employers dealing with layoffs and surge hiring needs. This presentation will highlight the role of the public workforce system in responding to this crisis and how your organizations can connect individuals and businesses with whom you work to the PA CareerLink system and more.
  • Friday, April 17, 10:15 a.m.  
    [View webinar recording  | Presentation slides]

    PRESSING LEGAL ISSUES IN A COVID ENVIRONMENT
    Speakers: Chris Hega, Esq.,  Southwestern Pennsylvania Legal Services, Catherine T. Martin, Esq., Neighborhood Legal Services,  Kim Brown, Partner, Jones Day and  Liz Eisenhauer, Esq., Neighborhood Legal Services
    Issues like family law, housing and bankruptcy need to be addressed in a setting where access to the court system is impacted in unprecedented ways.  These speakers will address how organizations can continue to provide legal services to clients under these challenging settings and provide information related to stimulus checks and unemployment compensation.  
  • Monday, April 20, 10:15 a.m.
    [View webinar recording  | Presentation slides]

    INSURANCE AND COVID - WHAT NONPROFITS NEED TO KNOW 
    Speaker: Matt Jacobs, Of Counsel, Jones Day and Pete Laun, Partner, Jones Day
    In wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, there are many unique insurance issues that might be facing NGOs. This presentation will provide NGOs with a general overview of what nonprofits need to look for in their insurance policies to help with business interruption claims affecting the ability to provide vital services.  
  • Tuesday, April 21, 10:15 a.m.
    [View webinar recording  |  Presentation slides]

    EMERGING RISKS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
    Speakers:  Susan Maloney, CPA, Firm Director, Baker Tilly and Ashley Deihr, CPA, CIA, CFE, Partner, Baker Tilly
    Higher Education has been uniquely affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This session will include a discussion of topics relevant to colleges and universities, including CARES Act and other relief funding including emergency student aid, accounting and single audit concerns, academic integrity and remote learning, enrollment and admissions, and construction considerations. This session will also explore the ever changing risk landscape as it relates to this new challenge.

    COVID-19 AND THE VIRTUAL CLASSROOM: RESOURCES AND STRATEGIES TO KEEP CHILDREN LEARNING 
    Speaker:  Dr. Emily Levine, Elementary Educator, Author, and Adjunct Professor
    This presentation will review many educational resources that are available for elementary-aged students.  All of the resources discussed are free and easily accessible from your home. In addition, suggestions will be shared on how to keep children engaged in learning over the summer months.  
  • Wednesday, April 22, 10:15 a.m.
    [View webinar recording |  Presentation slides]
    CARES ACT: RELIEF FOR THE RESIDENTIAL RENTAL MARKET? 
    Speaker: Kyle Baltes, Partner, Jones Day
    The CARES Act provides protection and relief to residential tenants and their landlords in response to the COVID-19 outbreak and resulting economic disruption, but to what extent?  This presentation will include a discussion of the multifamily forbearance programs administered by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the eviction moratorium imposed by the CARES Act. The presentation will also explore other actions taken at the state and local levels to maintain stability in the rental housing market. 
     
    CARES ACT: HELP TO INDIVIDUALS ASSOCIATED WITH NONPROFITS
    Speaker:  Professor Phillip Hackney, Associate Professor of Law, University of Pittsburgh School of Law
    Professor Hackney will cover charitable giving incentives, retirement changes, and new unemployment benefits found in the CARES Act helpful to nonprofits, their constituents and their employees. He will also discuss a few other of the benefits for nonprofits found in the Act.
  • Thursday, April 23, 10:15 a.m.
    [View webinar recording  |  Presentation slides]
    STAYING IN THE KNOW:  IP CONSIDERATIONS DURING THE COVID CRISIS
    Speakers: Meredith Wilkes, Partner, Jones Day and  Patricia Campbell, Partner, Jones Day
    IP considerations during the Coronavirus pandemic are not limited to for profit corporations.  Every company has IP, asset preservation and exploitation that should not be ignored in these uncertain times.  To help nonprofit entities, we will cover an overview of (a) brand issues in the pandemic era including changes to deadlines and relief from filing fees as well as possible changes to filing and litigation strategies if another stimulus bill is passed; (b) changes in the patent office and potential changes to patent terms as a result of the COVID pandemic; (c) trade secret considerations in the remote working world; and (d) a crash course in vaccine development and FDA approval.
  • Friday, April 24, 10:15 a.m.
    [View webinar recording]
    SECOND WAVE FEDERAL FUNDING AND PENNSYLVANIA PROGRAM UPDATE
    Speakers:  Randy Vulakovich, Senior Principal, Government Relations, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC,  Matt Smith, President of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce and Jennifer Beer, Vice President, Government Affairs at Allegheny Conference on Community Development
    This session will provide an update on the very latest developments in the new federal emergency financial assistance programs, as well as what Governor Tom Wolf and the Legislature are doing do to position Pennsylvania’s response and recovery.  The panelists will share the latest on topics such as the second wave of federal funding, Pennsylvania executive orders and actions, passed and pending legislation, the upcoming 2020/21 state budget, as well as state programs available (or in the works) to the non-profit community. 

The webinar series has ended. Thank you for your interest.

Questions about the webinars? Please email us at contactus [at] pghfdn.org (contactus[at]pghfdn[dot]org). 

 

Organizations supporting this series: