About The Disaster Relief Fund

Since 1953, the NCPA Foundation has provided disaster aid to independent community pharmacies. As of 2005, over $290,000 in disaster relief grants were disbursed. 

The NCPA Foundation Disaster Relief Fund was established to provide financial assistance to independent community pharmacy owners throughout the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. The fund helps pharmacies recover when impacted by a disaster (i.e. hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, floods, tornadoes, etc.) or a catastrophic event (i.e. property damage due to civil unrest or terrorist attack, business interruption or store closure due to pandemic, water crises, etc.). Aside from insurance and governmental assistance, there is little support for independent pharmacies in times of disaster and often this support takes a long time to reach the pharmacy.

Assistance is available to NCPA member and nonmember independent pharmacies through NCPA Foundation’s grant funding, made possible thanks to the generous support from the Cencora Impact Foundation. 

• If you are interested in a disaster relief grant, please apply here.
• Consider making a gift to the Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund. 
• For additional information, check out this Disaster Preparedness Checklist.

Please contact the NCPA Foundation at ncpaf@ncpafoundation.org or 703-683-8200 for more information.

Our Disaster Response Philosophy

The NCPA Foundation recognizes that disasters disproportionately impact vulnerable communities. While providing immediate support is crucial, long-term recovery, preparedness, mitigation, and resilience efforts are equally important. We are focused on funding these areas to strengthen communities and improve disaster response.

Grant Eligibility

Eligible Organizations: Independently owned community pharmacies in the United States (the 50 States and the District of Columbia, as well as all U.S. territories). Those that are members of the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) are given priority.

Disaster Types:

• Disasters: Hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, floods, tornadoes, typhoons, cyclones, tsunamis, and similar weather-related events (case-by-case review).
• Catastrophic Events: Property damage due to civil unrest or terrorist attacks.
  • The following cases will be reviewed for qualification, but store closures and business interruptions caused by:
    • Pandemic
    • Water crisis
    • Chemical spills
    • Other unforeseen catastrophes, may be covered.

Grant Ineligibility:

• Criminal Activity: Damage caused by burglary, robbery, etc.
• Preventable Losses: Maintenance issues, facility or equipment malfunction, technological problems, etc.
• Business Interruptions: due to illness not related to a pandemic, water crisis, chemical spill, or other qualifying unforeseen catastrophe.

Grant Application Process:

1. Following impact from disaster or catastrophic event, independently owned pharmacies can submit an application for grant funding.
2. Application Submission: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the recovery period, and deadlines may be established depending on the severity of the disaster.
3. Applicants are encouraged to apply for up to two years following a disaster if their business operations are still in recovery due to the severity of the disaster.
4. Application Review: NCPAF will review applications for eligibility and completeness. Photographic evidence of damage to the pharmacy will be required. If submittal is for business interruptions caused by pandemic, water crisis, chemical spill, etc.; pharmacy should provide evidence of business loss or impact due to the catastrophic event.
5. Funding Determination: Grant awards will be determined based on the severity of the impact, the pharmacy’s role in the community, and the proposed use of funds to support relief, recovery, or resilience efforts.

Grant Reporting:

• Grantees will be required to submit a short report within a specified timeframe (e.g., 6 months) outlining how the grant funds were used and the impact on the pharmacy and community.
• Demographic information will only be requested during the application process and will not be necessary for final reporting purposes.

Grant Amount: Varies

Additional Considerations:

• The NCPA Foundation may partner with other disaster relief organizations to leverage resources and expertise.
• Communication: Clear and timely communication with pharmacies regarding the grant application process and funding decisions will be a priority.
• Unclaimed Funds: Uncashed checks may not be cashed after a period of time agreed upon by the Foundation board. This may include a stop-payment and a notification informing the pharmacy that the funds have been returned.

• Visit www.ready.gov/business to help you prepare for the most likely disasters with toolkits.
• Consider investing in a backup generator in case of power loss or bring cold items to a place that has a generator.
• Establish procedures to communicate with staff to be sure all are safe and accounted for after a disaster.
• Be sure patient records and personal health information are stored and backed up in a secure cloud-based system.
• If the pharmacy is damaged, have back-up plans in place to operate off-site, such as a trailer or curbside service.
• Work with your technology vendor to secure internet, printer, and fax capabilities. Know how to forward phone calls.
• Contact and communicate with your insurance company, wholesaler, state board of pharmacy, buying group, DEA (for controlled substances), local or state emergency management, and any other relevant organizations. The sooner the better.
• Be constantly alert and continuously check weather forecasts to help determine action plans.
• If you have a warning, communicate with patients and remind them to pick up refills so the will call bins are as empty as possible. Also, contact med sync patients who may run short on medications; this minimizes inventory loss and helps patients be more resilient.
• If possible, move medications (particularly controlled substances) off premises. If not, invest in strong safes that are bolted to the floor.
• Use social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) to post updates, news, physician locations, community services, and important information for patients.