Small Business Readiness for Resiliency
Developed in partnership with founding sponsor FedEx, the Small Business Readiness for Resiliency Program (R4R) is a multi-year initiative to empower small business owners to proactively mitigate the risks posed by disasters.
Through planning, support, and resource guides, R4R encourages small businesses to invest in readiness and resilience as essential business practices. As natural disasters increase in frequency and intensity, taking proactive measures can determine whether a small business stays open or closes forever after a disaster strikes.
That's why the U.S. Chamber Foundation and FedEx teamed up to create R4R. With additional support from Allstate, American Express, and Fiserv, this program helps small business owners prepare for disasters and offers quick-turn relief funding of $5,000 for those prepared businesses after a federal disaster declaration is made in their region.
Related Links
Get Started
- Step 1: Complete the Preparedness ChecklistDownload the FedEx and American Red Cross Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Small Businesses (available in English and Spanish). Make sure you have completed an Emergency Action Plan as outlined in the checklist.Download Now
- Step 2: Register Your BusinessOnce you’ve completed your business’s Emergency Action Plan, check your program eligibility and register your business in our program database by completing this registration form.Register Now
- Step 3: Apply for a GrantOur team will closely monitor emergency orders and disaster declarations from U.S. states and territories. Should a disaster occur in your area, if your business meets the program criteria, we will reach out with instructions on how to apply for a grant.Learn More
By the Numbers
- 99.9%of businesses in the U.S. are small businesses.
- 25%of small businesses do not recover after a disaster.
Grantee Testimonials
Thanks to the U.S. Chamber Foundation's help, we are able to say we are still restaurant owners.— Marina Martinez, R4R Grantee
Our Impact
2024 Impact Report
Small businesses serve as the economic engine of this nation. Yet, they are often the most vulnerable when disasters strike. It's estimated that 25% of businesses do not reopen following a major disaster. Developed in partnership with FedEx, the Readiness for Resiliency Program (R4R) is a multi-year initiative to support small businesses impacted by disasters.
Partners
FedEx is proud to continue its long history of supporting small business resiliency and recovery. This multi-year commitment with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation allows us to contribute directly to small businesses that actively prepare for natural disasters.— Jenny Robertson, SVP, Integrated Marketing and Communications, FedEx
Our Experts
Latest Content
NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin shares pit-stop wisdom on small business preparedness and resilience.
This month marks National Preparedness Month, which reminds us all to prepare for disasters and emergencies of all kinds. It’s especially pertinent this year as we face uncharacteristic and unpredictable weather patterns, with impacts of wildfires, hurricane season, and severe storms impacting communities across the U.S. and the globe.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, along with founding sponsor FedEx, announced the launch of the Small Business Readiness for Resiliency Program (R4R), to provide financial assistance to small business owners impacted by a natural disaster.
