SBA Reminds Nonprofits of Dec. 7 Loan Deadline
Private nonprofits and faith-based groups affected by Hurricane Lala have until Dec. 7 to apply for SBA physical disaster loans.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Emergency Response
The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding Maui County private nonprofits that the deadline to apply for physical disaster loans tied to Hurricane Lala is Dec. 7. The agency's disaster declaration also covers the City and County of Honolulu and Hawaiʻi County.
Why it matters
Nonprofits and faith-based organizations that suffered damage from Hurricane Lala, which struck Aug. 14-16, can access low-interest federal financing for repairs and recovery. Missing the deadline would forfeit that option for groups still rebuilding.
SBA nonprofit physical disaster loans can total up to $2 million at rates as low as 3.625%, with terms up to 30 years. The total number of eligible organizations and the aggregate verified losses are not yet reported.
The players
U.S. Small Business Administration
The federal agency that administers disaster loan programs for businesses, nonprofits, and homeowners affected by declared disasters across the United States.
The details
Applicants submit online at sba.gov/disaster, and questions can be directed to the SBA National Support Network Center at 866-722-4357 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Economic injury disaster loans have a separate deadline of July 7, 2027.
Timeline
Aug. 14-16: Hurricane Lala strikes the affected Hawaii counties.
Dec. 7: Deadline to apply for SBA physical disaster loans.
July 7, 2027: Deadline to apply for SBA economic injury disaster loans.
Seasonal Patterns
The SBA's nonprofit disaster loan provisions, which extend federal financing to private nonprofits and faith-based organizations, are being applied to Hurricane Lala damage across three Hawaii counties. This places the August storm within the agency's standard post-declaration loan framework rather than a special relief program.
Eligible Hawaii nonprofits and faith-based groups should apply online at sba.gov/disaster before Dec. 7 to secure low-interest recovery loans. Organizations unsure of eligibility can call 866-722-4357 for guidance.
The takeaway
Nonprofits that act before Dec. 7 can lock in federal disaster financing with a 12-month payment-free period. Waiting past the deadline removes that option entirely.
What happens next
The physical disaster loan application deadline falls on Dec. 7, and the economic injury disaster loan deadline is July 7, 2027.
Further reading
For more on recovery programs after storms, browse Emergency Response coverage for Hawaii.
More information
Apply through the SBA disaster loan online application portal before the deadline.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Maui Now | Hawaii News | Local Maui News and Information | Hawaii News.
