Covid-19 Response

Lowe’s-LISC Partnership

What we’re offering to small businesses 

For much of 2020, small businesses, which form the economic backbone of our communities, have faced immense financial pressure because of COVID-19. Rural communities have been especially hard hit, not only by the pandemic but also by a wave of natural disasters including hurricanes, wildfires, and floods--events that have exacerbated the challenges they already face. Limited access to bank credit, capital and other support services present additional hurdles for the survival of rural small businesses. 

As part of our continuing commitment to elevate our impact in rural America, LISC has teamed up with Lowe’s to award Rural Relief Small Business Grants to small business owners in rural locations across the country. Grants of $20,000 are available to help rural small businesses meet their most urgent needs such as: 

  • Paying rent and utilities 
  • Meeting payroll 
  • Paying outstanding debt to vendors 
  • Upgrading technology infrastructure 
  • Other immediate operational costs 

Are you a rural small business owner interested in applying for a grant? Click here to learn more

Partnership impact to date 

This investment in rural America is part of Lowe’s $55 million commitment to LISC to provide the emergency grant assistance that small businesses desperately need to stay afloat. The first phase of LISC’s partnership with Lowe’s focused primarily on urban markets, with a priority on women- and minority-owned enterprises that often lack access to affordable capital. Results to date


Our partnership recognizes that small business recovery takes more than financial resources. Entrepreneurs often need trusted advisors to support them in navigating challenges ranging from the constantly evolving COVID-19 regulations impacting their businesses to expanding their business online. In urban and rural communities across 29 states and Puerto Rico, Lowe’s and LISC have mobilized a network of small business support organizations to provide the expertise and guidance small business owners need to operate strategically and survive the pandemic. 

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Press release announcing the partnership's expansion.

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