Protecting Your Business Before Disaster Strikes: How to Unlock the $5,000 FedEx Readiness for Resiliency (R4R) Grant
Did you know that 25% of small businesses never reopen after experiencing a disaster? Whether it is extreme weather, supply chain collapses, power failures, or localized emergencies, unexpected disruptions can halt operations overnight.
To help small business owners protect their livelihoods before a crisis hits, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and FedEx partnered to launch the Readiness for Resiliency (R4R) Program.
Unlike standard grant applications that require waiting for a disaster to strike before seeking aid, the R4R Program is an ongoing opportunity that pre-qualifies your business for a $5,000 emergency recovery grant while walking you through essential emergency planning.
What Is the Readiness for Resiliency (R4R) Grant?
The R4R Program provides small business owners with proactive tools to prepare for natural and man-made disasters. By completing a quick emergency preparedness process, participating businesses become eligible for direct financial relief if an unexpected disaster strikes their community.
Grant Amount: $5,000 emergency recovery cash grants
Program Type: Ongoing, year-round eligibility opportunity
Partners: FedEx, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and the American Red Cross
Cost:100% Free
Why You Should Pre-Register Today
Most emergency grants require lengthy applications after a disaster has already damaged your business—when internet access, power, or financial records might be compromised.
The R4R Program reverses this dynamic. By completing the free disaster preparedness steps today, your business is pre-registered for immediate relief when disaster assistance pools open following declared emergencies.
Step-by-Step: How to Register & Unlock Eligibility
Completing the readiness requirements takes minimal time and gives your business an actionable safety plan.
Access the R4R Registration Portal
Free registration via FedEx Cares
Visit the official FedEx Small Business Resources Portal and select the Readiness for Resiliency (R4R) initiative to start your registration.
Complete the Free Disaster Preparedness Checklist
Co-developed by FedEx & American Red Cross
Work through the free Red Cross and FedEx emergency checklist. This tool helps you map critical risks, secure vital data, back up financial records, and build employee communication plans.
Submit Your Registration with the U.S. Chamber Foundation
Secures your ongoing eligibility status
Log your completed checklist with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation system to confirm your active eligibility for future $5,000 emergency grant disbursements.
Who Is Eligible?
Business Type: For-profit small businesses operating in the United States.
Proactive Status: Business owners who complete the free Red Cross disaster preparedness checklist and maintain an active registration with the Chamber.
Location Focus: Priority grant funding is triggered and distributed to registered businesses located within officially declared disaster zones.
Don’t Wait Until Emergency Strikes
Disaster preparedness isn't just about insurance policies—it's about having rapid-response capital ready when you need it most. Spend 20 minutes today completing the Red Cross checklist to safeguard your operation and unlock your $5,000 disaster recovery grant eligibility.
