Support to Small Businesses and Not-for-Profits Program

 

The Canadian Red Cross is committed to supporting affected individuals and communities impacted by the November 2021 floods and extreme weather event in British Columbia. We know from experience that support for small businesses and not-for-profit organizations is essential to the recovery of people and communities affected by a disaster.

The Canadian Red Cross was pleased to offer a second round of assistance to eligible small business owners and not-for-profit organizations who were directly impacted by the floods and extreme weather event, and who met the minimum requirements.

Please note that the application period for this program closed on April 30, 2024, applications will not be accepted after this date.

Those who met the minimum requirements may have applied for up to $10,000 in additional funding for eligible losses as a result of the floods.

Small businesses and not-for-profits who did not apply for the immediate assistance program offered in 2022 were eligible to receive funding from this new program and additionally receive the amount from the first round (up to $7500).

Please note that this program is not intended to fund loss of revenue or income.

 

Application Period

Please note that the application period for this program closed on April 30, 2024, applications will not be accepted after this date.

Minimum requirements for the program

The minimum requirements of the program include how the small business or not-for-profit were impacted as well as their operating status and revenue.

This program was open to small businesses and not-for-profit organizations that:

• That were unable to operate for 10 consecutive days or more following the floods and extreme weather event OR
• That incurred physical damage to their buildings, equipment or inventory and that is not covered by insurance OR
• That have experienced challenges operating at full (100%) capacity due to local infrastructure issues within the community where they are based (for example, but not limited to potable water availability, road access to the business or organization)

In addition, small businesses and not-for-profit organizations must:

• Have 50 employees or less^*
• Be in an area that was impacted by the floods and extreme weather event in British Columbia beginning on November 14, 2021
• Must be registered and in good standing with the BC (British Columbia) Registry Registry as well also at the time of the floods
  • Note: Federally registered charities must have been in good standing with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) at the time of the floods
• Have been in operation on or before November 14, 2021
• Be financially vulnerable as a result of the flooding and extreme weather event in November 2021
• Have resumed or are intending to resume operations
• Have a net income of less than $350,000 (calculated as revenue less expenses)*
• Have the business be their primary source of income^*

---

^*Does not apply to not-for-profit organizations