Main Street Disaster Resilience Fund
Disaster Recovery Grants for Small Businesses
When disaster strikes a community, small businesses are often the last to recover and the first to feel the impact.
The Main Street Disaster Resilience Fund, supported by Visa, provides $10,000 grants to small businesses in communities affected by natural disasters. The grants are made available as qualifying disasters occur.
We’re grateful to Visa for their generous support in making this grant opportunity possible
The Main Street Disaster Resilience Fund is currently open for small businesses in/affected by [LOCATION/DISASTER]
A $10,000 recovery grant is available for eligible brick-and-mortar small businesses in [LOCATION] affected by [DISASTER TYPE]. Grants are limited and awarded on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. This grant opportunity will close once available funds have been exhausted.
Eligible business owners must:
- Own a business that has been operational for at least two years
- Generate annual revenue over $100,000
- Own & operate a brick-and-mortar business located in the impacted area
- Have a business bank account
- Additional eligibility requirements are confirmed at the time of each activation
The Main Street Disaster Resilience Fund
Not sure this grant is the right fit, or looking for support beyond funding? Here are a few other ways AOF can help.
Book a free advising session
Whether you’re recovering from a disaster or want a clearer plan for what’s next, a free business advising session can help you map out your options.
Browse our disaster and resilience resources
Explore resources to help you plan ahead or bounce back from disruption.
FAQ
- Eligible business owners must meet the following criteria:
- Owner of a business that has been operational for at least two years
- Owner of a business with annual revenue over $100,000
- Own & operate a brick-and-mortar business located in the disaster-impacted zip code(s)
- Located in any of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico
- Have a business bank account
- Can demonstrate impacts and damage to their business and business property that were directly caused by the disaster
Main Street Disaster Resilience Fund grants are made available as qualifying disasters occur. When grants are available, eligible small business owners can learn more and navigate to the application directly from this program page. Grants per response cycle are limited and the respective application will close once available funds have been exhausted.
Main Street Disaster Resilience Fund grants are limited and awarded on a rolling basis. Applicants are vetted by Accion Opportunity Fund to ensure they substantially meet all program criteria. Applicants must have answered all application questions and provided all required documentation to be eligible. Incomplete applications cannot be considered.
- Your most recent business tax returns. Businesses that file a Schedule C as part of the owner’s personal 1040 tax return must upload the first two pages of the 1040 along with the Schedule C. Businesses that file taxes through an 1120, 1120S, or 1065 must upload ALL pages of the most recent business tax returns.
- All pages of the most recent business bank statement
- Front-and-back copy of photo identification (driver’s license, state ID, passport, permanent resident card, matricula consular, tribal card, military ID, or trusted traveler ID)
- Documentation showing that your brick-and-mortar business location sustained damage directly caused by the disaster. This should include at least one photograph showing disaster-related damage to the business property. Additional accepted documentation includes: insurance claims or determinations; repair estimates or invoices; inspection or assessment reports; official notices; or other documentation demonstrating damage to the business property.
Applications are accepted and awarded on a rolling basis. The exact timing of notification may vary based on the grant cycle. Small business owners who submit an application will receive additional information from Accion Opportunity Fund.
Selected grantees will receive a $10,000 business grant to support their recovery and resilience in the aftermath of natural disasters.
- Adult entertainment including strip clubs, escort services, adult bookstores, and businesses whose principal business is the sale of pornography
- Tobacco stores, smoke shops, cigarette & cigar retailers and wholesalers, cigarette stands
- Firearms sellers, merchants, retailers, or wholesalers; ammunition sales; gun clubs; shooting ranges
- Marijuana related businesses; cannabis dispensaries, marijuana crop farming, edibles, CBD products
- Massage parlors, saunas, or hot tub facilities
- Illegal activities
- Gambling and betting activities, racetracks
- Real estate investment companies (residential and commercial), house flippers, hotels, businesses whose principal source of revenue is rental income
- Banking and financial institutions; central banking; other monetary intermediation; trusts, funds, and similar financial entities
- Merchant service companies, merchant sales organizations, payment services
- Lending businesses; payday lenders, title lenders, other credit granting
- Small Business loan brokers
- Check cashers
- Bail bonds
- Pawn shops
- Collection companies/lawyers or debt consolidation firms
- Multi-level marketing companies or businesses based on pyramid sales plans
- Nonprofit organizations
- Religious organizations, churches, temples, mosques and shrines and other services provided specifically for the religious community
- Activities of political organizations
- Transportation of hazardous materials
- Oil and gas exploration/securities
- Rideshare (i.e. Uber/Lyft drivers)