Many Minnesota small businesses are facing unexpected challenges right now due to reduced customer traffic, neighborhood and personal safety concerns, and other disruptions to operations, but resources are available to help. The list below includes several resources available to entrepreneurs across the state. Consider sharing this information with business owners within your network.
- East Side St. Paul & Greater MN Emergency Fund – LEDC and East Side Funders Group are raising funds to support East Side and Greater Minnesota Latino & immigrant-owned businesses.
- Minneapolis Foundation Economic Response Fund – The Economic Response Fund will activate an initial $3.5 million through grants to established community organizations with deep experience in small business support.
- Immigrant Rapid Response Fund – Hosted at the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, rapid response funds to mobilize and organize communities to support and protect immigrants.
- Open for Tomorrow Fund – Main Street Alliance is partnering with the Economic Reconstruction Coalition for a rapid response fund.
- Stand with Lake Street in 2026 – The Lake Street Council is fundraising for small businesses and has resource listings.
- The Salt Cure Restaurant Recovery Fund – Fundraising to support Minnesota’s restaurants, held by the Minneapolis Foundation.
- NDC Emergency Relief Fund – Donate to NDC’s emergency relief fund, which will support entrepreneurs who are experiencing difficulties
Additionally, as organizations look to learn more about the realities Minnesota small businesses are navigating, consider taking a few minutes to complete the surveys below:
- For businesses across the state, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis has a survey to learn how the current economy is affecting businesses. This survey should take about 7 minutes to complete. Take the survey here.
- For businesses in Minneapolis, the City of Minneapolis has a survey on the business impacts of federal immigration enforcement. The survey is available in English, Spanish, and Somali.
- The Latino Economic Development Center conducting a short survey to understand how current economic conditions are affecting small and medium-sized businesses. Take the survey here.
This blog post is for informational purposes only
