Is Your Business Affected By Covid-19? Apply For A $5,000 FedEx Grant
With so many small and medium-sized businesses struggling to stay afloat during the Covid-19 pandemic, some of the larger corporations have offered their support through grant programs. One such company, FedEx, will be handing out 30 grants worth $5,000 each across Canada in its #SupportSmall initiative. The company is reaching out to encourage Atlantic Canadian businesses to apply.
“(Small and medium businesses) are the heart of our communities and we have a responsibility to do our part to protect and support them,” said James Anderson, a communications representative for FedEx.
FedEx has given out grants to businesses before, but that money was aimed at rewarding innovative businesses. With Covid-19 creating economic havoc, they decided to change the criteria this year. In order to apply this year, all you have to do is tell FedEx how your business has been affected by Covid-19.
“The premise of that was to showcase some of the exciting and innovative businesses across Canada,” said Anderson.
“Fast forward to 2020, it’s very apparent that everybody needs to do things a bit differently.”
The best part about these $5,000 grants is it’s up to the business owner how the money is spent.
“We know there’s a lot of businesses that are staring down some rent pressures or getting supplies and product and payroll going. It’s up to them,” said Anderson.
Even though FedEx is giving away $150,000 in grants, it has also been hit by Covid-19. Nonetheless, Anderson says the large delivery company can afford to hand out the money.
“Just like every other company, we’ve had to adapt. We’ve had to make some changes; we’ve had to follow safety protocols, all while providing an essential service here in Canada,” said Anderson.
“With this program, we do understand that [FedEx is] a larger company and $5,000 grants for 30 businesses, it’s a drop in the bucket.”
To apply for a grant, visit fedex.com/en-ca/small-business/support-small-grants. In order to qualify you must operate a business with fewer than 99 employees and have been operating for more than a year.