Starting April 20, 2020, you can submit a short application to apply for the "Small Business Fund" with the US Chamber of Commerce. The application takes about 10 minutes to complete and will only require your business’s W-9 form and basic supporting information about your business.
To apply, you must run a small business or chamber of commerce with between 3-20 employees (including yourself and not including independent contractors). The business must be located in an economically vulnerable community. This is defined as the bottom 80% of the most economically distressed zip codes in the United States, as ranked by the Distressed Communities Index. Before starting the application, you will be asked for the zip code where you are registered by the IRS as doing business, which will confirm your eligibility.
The Distressed Communities Index is a measure of the economic well-being of U.S. communities, developed by the Economic Innovation Group. Just as some businesses face higher risks than others, some communities are more vulnerable. This Fund is dedicated to helping employers in the places that need them most.
Each grant is for $5,000 and must be applied toward business expenses. We will send a follow-up survey to all grantees to learn how it was spent and the impact that it made.
TO QUALIFY YOU MUST
- Employ between 3 and 20 people
- Be located in an economically vulnerable community
- Have been harmed financially by the COVID-19 pandemic
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