RESTORE RI

Completing the Restore RI grant application is a 2-step process.  If you have completed the prequalification form (step 1) and have not received an email from CRF, please contact the RI Commerce Small Business Team by clicking here.

• Checklist to get ready to apply (round 1)
• Round 1 Instruction Manual – A detailed, step-by-step process on how to properly apply for the Restore RI grant program.
• Tutorials – More of a visual learner? These video walk-throughs of the application process should help.
• Click here for a list of Frequently Asked Questions
• Download the grant calculator
• Download the expense template
• The income statement template is available here.
• Get a DUNS number

To be eligible for a Restore RI grant, a business must meet all of the following criteria:

• Operates primarily in an eligible industry;
• Experienced a revenue loss due to COVID-19 equal to or greater than: (1) 30% if the business is in a severely-impacted industry (defined as retail trades; scenic & sightseeing transportation; arts, entertainment, and recreation; accommodation and food services; and personal care services); or (2) 50% if the business is in a non-severely impacted industry;
• Has a physical presence in RI.
• Has at least one employee for which direct payroll taxes are paid, in addition to the owner;
• Has no more than 20 full-time equivalent employees unless you are a restaurant or caterer.
• Has a DUNS number;
• Not a non-profit or tax-exempt organization;
• Has not declared bankruptcy within the past three years;
• Does not have any federal, state or local tax liens;
• Had been in operation prior to or on January 1, 2020;
• Currently open or has a plan to reopen in the next 60 days*; and
• For a business that is part of a regional or national franchise with locations outside of Rhode Island, if any of the following apply, the business is not eligible: (1) the applicant is owned in whole or in part by the franchisor or an affiliated entity of the franchisor, (2) the applicant or the entity that owns the applicant is headquartered in another state, or (3) the majority ownership of the applicant is held by a resident of another state and the applicant’s state of organization is other than Rhode Island.

Limit on multi-location applicants:  Businesses with shared ownership can receive grants for up to three businesses they own and operate in the state of Rhode Island.

*Businesses that have not yet reopened may receive up to $1,000 prior to reopening.

The following table shows the maximum grant amount a business may receive based on revenue loss, number of full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, and whether it operates in a severely impacted industry:

• Maximum grant amount per business is $15,000 or $12,500 in other eligible industries. Final grant amounts for those eligible to receive an award greater than $5,000 will be determined based on a showing of eligible expenses up to the maximum award your business is eligible to receive.
• Which industries are considered severely impacted for purposes of this grant program? A list of severely impacted industries can be found here. 

• Restore Rhode Island Grant Program one-pager (PDF)
• To assist businesses with completing the Restore Rhode Island Grant Program application, we have partnered with several community organizations. Please find their contact information and other resources below.

  Commerce:

  • Contact Information:  submit your inquiry to https://commerceri.com/your-business-advisor/, or email info@commerceri.com
    • In-office support for businesses, appointments required. Request an appointment here.
  • Areas of Expertise:
    • Programmatic questions
    • Eligibility questions
    • Seasonality questions

  Center for Southeast Asians:

  • Contact Information: http://www.cseari.org/contact-us.html, or 401-274-8811
  • Areas of Expertise:
    • Mandarin, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean speaking businesses

  Hispanic Chamber:

  • Contact Information: 401-400-1340 or info@rihispanicchamber.org
    • In person/Zoom application assistance available M-F, 9a-5p; appointments required. Call 401-400-1340 to schedule.
  • Areas of Expertise:
    • Spanish-speaking businesses

  Newport Chamber:

  • Contact Information: newportchamber.com, Kate Grotteberg, kate@newportchamber.org; 401-847-1608
    • Areas of Expertise:
      • Newport/Bristol County businesses

  Rhode Island Black Business Association:

  • Contact Information: Click here or call 401-383-1179
  • Areas of Expertise:
    • Black-owned businesses

  Rhode Island Hospitality Association:

  • Contact Information: 401-223-1120
    • In-person assistance available, appointments required. Call 401-223-1120
    • Areas of Expertise:
      • Hospitality industry
      • Restaurants, hotels, tourism-related businesses

  RI SCORE:

  • Contact Information: Schedule a mentor request
  • Areas of Expertise:
    • Technical questions
    • Business entity questions
    • One on one support

  RI Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

  • Contact information: Register for counseling here.
  • Areas of expertise:
    • Technical and financial questions
    • Business entity questions
    • Business continuity evaluation and planning
    • One on one support