Local Business Disaster Relief Fund

The DoorDash Local Business Disaster Relief Fund, administered by Hello Alice and supported by DoorDash, offers direct support to small local businesses across the United States and Puerto Rico that have suffered losses due to natural disasters or major infrastructure failures. This grant program is part of DoorDash’s ongoing commitment to reinvest in the local economies it serves by helping stabilize and rebuild the backbone of many communities: small brick-and-mortar businesses. Since inception, nearly $10 million in grants have been awarded to aid hundreds of businesses in their recovery efforts. The fund targets for-profit small businesses such as restaurants, flower shops, liquor stores, convenience stores, pet stores, and local grocery stores that have experienced revenue losses from a federally, state, or tribally declared disaster event within the past 12 months. These businesses must be independently owned, operate no more than three locations, and employ fewer than 50 employees at each location. Each site must have been open for at least six months and have generated less than $3 million in revenue per location in 2024 to qualify. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 will be awarded to eligible businesses. These funds can be used for a variety of essential operational needs including rent, payroll, utility bills, supplies, maintenance, and replacement of damaged inventory or equipment. There is no cost to apply, and no matching funds are required from applicants. To apply, the executive leader of the business must complete an online application through the Hello Alice portal. Applications are reviewed based on demonstrated need, clarity and feasibility of the proposed use of funds, and the business’s demonstrated commitment to serving its community. Each application cycle has defined opening and closing dates and a 3-week review window. Applicants may submit only once per round. The Fall 2025 round opened on September 30, 2025, and closes on January 5, 2026. Grant recipients will be announced in February 2026. This program is recurring with four annual rounds—Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring—each with consistent application windows. The next anticipated round will open in Spring 2026. The program does not require pre-application steps or additional submission gates such as a letter of intent. DoorDash and Hello Alice have also highlighted past awardees to encourage applicants and showcase the fund’s community impact. Businesses that receive funding can expect notification via email or phone approximately 60 days following the close of the application window.

Demonstrated need, feasibility of use plan, and community commitment are the primary scoring criteria.;