Fresno nonprofits, churches make up large number of PPP loan recipients

By Daniel Gligich
San JoaquValley Sun
July 19, 2020

http://sjvsun.com/business/fresno-nonprofits-churches-make-up-large-number-of-ppp-loan-recipients/

Dozens of nonprofits based in Fresno and Clovis received Paycheck Protection Program loans to help negate the coronavirus pandemic-caused economic downturn. 

The program, run by the Small Business Administration and created by the CARES Act, grants businesses loans of 2.5 times payroll, up to a maximum of $10 million. Businesses can have the loans forgiven if they meet certain criteria set by the SBA, such as using at least 60% of the loan on payroll expenses.

According to a SBA data of PPP loan recipients, no Fresno area nonprofits received the maximum loan amount. However, two organizations received loans of at least $2 million. 

Hospice care provider Hinds Hospice and behavioral health provider Kings View were both granted loans in the $2-5 million range. 

There were 11 nonprofits to receive a loan of at least $1 million: Big Picture Schools California, California Home for the Aged, Central California Blood Center, Central California Legal Services, Exceptional Parents Unlimited, the Chaffee Zoo Corporation, Hume Lake Christian Camps, Inspire Charter School, Promesa Behavioral Health, The Arc Fresno/Madera Counties and The Fresno Center.

Several other nonprofits received loans between $350,000-1 million, including the Marjaree Mason Center, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Fresno County, Fresno Christian Schools, the Fresno Rescue Mission, Girls Scouts of Central California South and the San Joaquin College of Law. 

Nonprofits that received between $150,000-350,000 in loans include the Central Valley Community Foundation, the Poverello House and Valley Public Television. 

Outside of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno, many other local churches came away with a combined millions of dollars in PPP loans.

Four churches received loans between $350,000-1 million: the California Southern Baptist Convention, NorthPointe, Northwest Baptist Church and The Well Community Church. 

Churches that were granted loans between $150,000-350,000 were Campus Bible Church, Celebration Christian Church, Clovis Hills Community Church, Cornerstone Assembly of God, First Presbyterian Church, Mountain View Community Church, New Covenant Community Church, the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin, Riverpark Bible Church and The Bridge Evangelical Free Church. 

Notably, Peoples Church – one of the largest churches in the area – received a loan between $350,000-1 million. However, Peoples Church is not counted among the nonprofits but instead operates as a corporation.