The Etsy Disaster Relief Fund
If your Etsy business has been impacted by a natural disaster, you may be eligible for a $2,000 Disaster Relief Grant.
The Etsy Disaster Relief Fund helps eligible U.S. sellers recover, rebuild, and continue running their businesses after disaster strikes. The fund is administered by our nonprofit partner, CERF+, which reviews applications and distributes grants.
Applying is free and takes about 10–15 minutes. Applications reviewed monthly.
Supporting sellers through recovery
When natural disasters strike, rebuilding a creative business can feel overwhelming. Hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other disasters can disrupt not only a seller’s livelihood, but also the communities they depend on.
Helping creative entrepreneurs build lasting economic security is part of Etsy’s mission. That’s why Etsy partnered with Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF+) in 2017 to create the Etsy Disaster Relief Fund—a dedicated program that helps eligible U.S. sellers recover, rebuild, and continue running their businesses after disaster strikes.
You may be eligible for a Disaster Relief Grant if you:
- Experienced a natural disaster that was federally or state declared within the past year.
- Have operated an active Etsy shop for at least one year.
- Have an Etsy account in good standing.
- Live and operate your business in the federally declared disaster area.
A shop in good standing:
- Has a strong customer service record (as determined by Etsy).
- Complies with Etsy’s Seller Policy, Intellectual Property Policy, and other marketplace policies.
How it Works
1. Apply
Complete your application through CERF+ and share information about your Etsy business, the disaster, and how your business was affected.
2. Review
CERF+ reviews applications monthly based on eligibility, demonstrated need, and available funding.
3. Grant award
Eligible applicants who are selected receive a $2,000 Disaster Relief Grant to help support business recovery.
In Case of Emergency: Resources for Small Business Owners
Learn ways to protect your business when an unexpected disaster strikes with this handy resource guide for artists, makers, and small business owners.
FAQs
You may be eligible for a Disaster Relief Grant if you:
- Experienced a natural disaster that was federally or state declared within the past year.
- Have operated an active Etsy shop for at least one year.
- Have an Etsy account in good standing.
- Live and operate your business in the federally declared disaster area.
A shop in good standing:
- Has a strong customer service record (as determined by Etsy).
- Complies with Etsy’s Seller Policy, Intellectual Property Policy, and other marketplace policies.
Eligible disasters include hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, floods, earthquakes, severe storms, and other events that receive a US federal or state disaster declaration.
Federal declarations are issued by FEMA while state declarations are issued by the Governor’s office (example: California and Florida).
Eligible applicants may receive a $2,000 grant.
Applications are reviewed monthly, and the number of grants awarded depends on the funding available in the Disaster Relief Fund.
Complete the online application through CERF+. You’ll be asked to provide information about your Etsy shop, your business, and how the disaster affected your ability to operate.
Etsy and CERF+ will review all applications to confirm eligibility and assess need.
Selected applicants will be contacted directly by CERF+ with next steps. Applications remain eligible for consideration for up to one year after the disaster occurred, subject to available funding.
Your application will be viable for one year following the date of the disaster you suffered, so there’s no need to reapply. If you don’t receive a grant upon initial review, your application will be considered again should funding remain available.
Grant funds may be used to help your business recover from a federally declared natural disaster. This may include replacing equipment or inventory, repairing workspaces, or covering other recovery-related business expenses.
CERF+ is a 501(c)(3) public charity that has been working on behalf of artists since 1985. CERF+ has emerged as the leading nonprofit organization that uniquely focuses on safeguarding artists’ livelihoods nationwide. We feel this is a great organization that aligns with our mission to support creative entrepreneurs. You can visit CERF+ to learn more about the work they do to support and protect independent artists.
CERF+ is a 501(c)(3) public charity. If you are making a donation to the Etsy Fund at CERF+, Etsy will share your name, address, and email address with CERF+, so that CERF+ can provide you with a donation receipt. If you are applying for an Etsy Fund at CERF+ grant, Etsy will share your application with CERF+, so that CERF+ can process your application.