On July 16, 2026, six inches of water entered Bonna Kemp’s family store. Gibson’s Discount suddenly faced losses from damaged merchandise, fixtures, and equipment. The store, which has operated at the same location since 1968, abruptly confronted questions businesses must face after disasters anywhere in the country. How could it rebuild without running out of money? The owners turned to the nonprofit lender LiftFund for funding the business could put to work immediately.
This was not a one-off situation. Businesses in New Mexico and across the country are experiencing severe weather and other disasters that disrupt operations and put livelihoods at risk of collapse.
Small businesses often enter crisis with little room for delay. Research has found that half of U.S. small businesses operate with less than one month of cash buffer. A September 2026 Federal Reserve analysis found that 84% of disaster-affected small firms experienced business interruption or lost sales. Fewer than one-third carried insurance covering those losses, and only 4% of firms that sought external funds received enough to fully cover their losses.
