SBA Disaster Assistance Available to Hawaii Private Nonprofit Organizations in Maui

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to certain private nonprofit organizations in Maui following President Biden’s federal disaster declaration for Public Assistance as a result of wildfires that began Aug. 8, announced Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Private nonprofits that provide essential services of a governmental nature are eligible for assistance.  

These low-interest federal disaster loans are available in Maui.  

“Private nonprofit organizations should Public Assistance Lead Brian Fisher of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency by calling (808) 518-7985 or emailing Brian.j.fisher@hawaii.gov to obtain information about applicant briefings,” said Director Jeffrey Lusk of SBA’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West. “At the briefings, private nonprofit representatives will need to provide information about their organization,” continued Lusk. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will use that information to determine if the private nonprofit provides an “essential governmental service” and is a “critical facility” as defined by law. If so, FEMA may provide the private nonprofit with a Public Assistance grant for their eligible costs. If not, FEMA may refer the private nonprofit to SBA for disaster loan assistance.  

SBA may lend private nonprofits up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.  

For certain private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help with meeting working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the nonprofit suffered any property damage.   

The interest rate is 2.375 percent with terms up to 30 years. The deadline to apply for property damage is Oct. 20, 2023. The deadline to apply for economic injury is May 21, 2024.  

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155.  


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About the U.S. Small Business Administration  
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.