DoorDash, together with its partners Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), announced $440,000 in grant funding through the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund in 2023 so far. This initiative provides $10,000 relief grants to restaurants impacted by natural disasters or emergencies not only in the United States but also, for the first time, in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Natural disasters can bring profound devastation to local communities, and rebuilding after disaster strikes can be challenging. To help local communities and businesses respond to this challenge, DoorDash created the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund in 2021. The Fund’s relief grants can be used to cover critical operating expenses, including rent or mortgage payments, replenishing food or beverage supplies, or paying bills and other costs. Earlier this year we renewed the Fund to provide a total of $1,000,000 to 100 restaurants in $10,000 grants across four grant rounds in 2023 and 2024.
Since its creation in 2021, the Fund has been a lifeline to local businesses across the United States, supporting their efforts to recover and rebuild. This year, we worked with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) to expand eligibility to include restaurants based in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand for the first time. The Fund reflects DoorDash’s commitment to empowering local economies and supporting small businesses.
Relief Grant Recipients and Impact
Today, we’re proud to announce the recipients for the 2023 Spring and Summer funding rounds. Relief grants have been provided to 44 local restaurants, including 34 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 6 in Canada, and 4 in New Zealand. The funding will be used to help restaurants recover from disasters including the recent Maui and Yellowknife wildfires, Hurricanes Ian and Fiona, and Cyclone Gabrielle. The announcement coincides with Global Entrepreneurship Week, a movement to celebrate, empower and support entrepreneurs. Below are some of the restaurants receiving grants:
Langdon Street Tavern in Montpelier, Vermont — In July, Vermont was severely impacted by catastrophic flash flooding. Based in Montpelier, Langdon Street Tavern suffered extensive damage. The owners used the relief grant to help replace furniture and equipment that was damaged.
The Scotch Creek Hub in Scotch Creek, British Columbia — In August, wildfires devastated the Shuswap region of British Columbia and forced the Scotch Creek Hub to temporarily close during its most profitable season. A local favorite, the Hub intends to use the grant money to support additional staffing and marketing that will be critical to keeping the restaurant open.
Stoked Bar & Grill in Whitianga, New Zealand — In February, Cyclone Gabrielle lashed large parts of the North Island of New Zealand. The cyclone caused significant damage and is considered to be one of the country's worst, most costly disasters ever. For Stoked, the disaster forced their restaurant to shut and damaged their restaurant. The owners used the relief grant to help them cover urgent bills and expenses to stay open.
"This grant didn’t just help us bounce back from the devastating flooding; it has also helped our local community get back on its feet,” said Colleen Magne, Langdon Street Tavern. “We are immensely grateful for the support from the DoorDash Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund. With this grant, we can keep serving our loyal and wonderful customers and help our whole community recover."
A Commitment to Communities
"We created the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund to help the communities we serve when they need it the most," said Sueli Shaw, Head of Social Impact at DoorDash. “From flooding rains to hurricanes to wildfires, the Fund is helping business owners recovering from a variety of challenges get back on their feet.”
"We are thrilled to partner with DoorDash once again on the Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund, which is providing vital capital to a diverse range of restaurateurs this round,” said Carolyn Rodz, co-founder and CEO of Hello Alice. “The restaurant industry is one of the toughest for small business owners to operate and grow in, especially in the continued recovery period from the pandemic. Due to DoorDash's commitment to local restaurants across the U.S., more entrepreneurs will be able to keep their doors open and help their families and communities thrive."
“GEN is proud to partner with DoorDash during Global Entrepreneurship Week to support these resilient restaurant entrepreneurs who are doing what entrepreneurs do best - overcoming challenges with purpose to serve their customers and communities," said Jonathan Ortmans, President of the Global Entrepreneurship Network.
How to Apply for Relief in 2024
Restaurant owners have until December 31, 2023 to apply for the current round of funding. The next and final funding round opens on January 2, 2024 and closes on March 29, 2024. Restaurant owners are eligible to apply up to one year after a qualifying disaster occurs. To learn more and apply, please visit https://merchants.doordash.com/en-us/about/disaster-relief-fund
