Etsy partners with the nonprofit organization, CERF+, to provide its sellers with financial relief after they’re affected by a disaster. To qualify for this small-business hardship grant, you’ll need to have experienced a federally declared natural disaster within the last year, as well as have had an active Etsy seller account in good standing for at least one year.
Etsy Emergency Relief grants are available in amounts of $2,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and funds are issued quarterly.
Helping Etsy sellers rebuild after disaster strikes
Etsy is committed to helping our creative entrepreneurs recover when disasters disrupt their businesses. We’ve partnered with CERF+, a nonprofit organization focused on helping artists prepare for and recover from emergencies and disasters, to create a disaster relief fund just for Etsy sellers. Each quarter, we work with CERF+ to award grants to a select number of eligible sellers. Any Etsy seller who has experienced a federally declared disaster within the past year may apply for a grant, as long as they’ve been an active seller on Etsy for at least one year, and their accounts with Etsy are in good standing.
FAQs
Who is eligible? All Etsy sellers are eligible for a grant if they have experienced a federally declared natural disaster within the past year, have been an active seller on Etsy for at least one year, and their accounts with Etsy are in good standing. More details about eligibility:
- Experiencing a disaster means that you have suffered a federally declared natural disaster that fits the following definition, and your business is located in the disaster area:
- A “natural disaster” is a recent, unforeseen natural event that has significantly and adversely affected a seller’s ability to produce and/or market their work, that has created an immediate need for relief funds and/or assistance.
- At least one year on Etsy means that you have had an active seller account on Etsy for at least one year.
- Having an account in good standing means that you have a record of good customer service (as determined by Etsy), and you are not in violation of Etsy’s Seller Policy, Intellectual Property Policy, or any other policies.
Why are we doing this? We recognize that sellers’ lives, including their businesses, are increasingly being disrupted by environmentally destructive events ranging from hurricanes to wildfires. Part of our mission is to help creative entrepreneurs maintain economic security, including in times of disaster. For this reason, Etsy partnered with CERF+ in 2017 to create the Etsy fund at CERF+, a disaster relief fund just for Etsy sellers.
Is this only for handmade sellers? No, handmade, craft supply, and vintage sellers in the U.S. can all apply. We worked with CERF+ to create our own disaster relief fund that expanded eligibility to our full community of sellers.
Do you offer international grants? At this time, Etsy can only offer grants to sellers within the United States and its territories. We hope to expand internationally in the future.
How much money is available? How many grants will you award? How often will you award them? Grants of $2,000 are available to sellers when they apply. The amount and frequency of grants will depend on the amount of money available in the fund at any given time.
Why are you partnering with CERF+? 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.
How will you decide which sellers receive grants? Etsy and CERF+ will work together to vet applicants on the basis of need and potential impact, as well as making sure that sellers meet the eligibility criteria.
How will I be notified if I’ve received a grant? Will you notify me if I apply but don’t receive one? CERF+ will directly notify grant winners and issue grant awards. Due to the volume of applicants, we won’t be able to notify all of those who aren’t awarded a grant.
If I don’t receive a grant, can I apply again? 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.
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.
Source: etsy.com