Support to Small Business and Not-for-Profit Organizations

The Canadian Red Cross is committed to supporting affected individuals and communities impacted by the 2018 fires in British Columbia.  Experience has shown us that support for small businesses and not-for-profit organizations are essential to the recovery of people and communities affected by a disaster.
 
Eligible small business owners and not-for-profit organizations meeting the minimum requirements may  apply for up to $20,000 in funding. The funding, administered through the Red Cross’ 2018 Support for Small Business Program, comes from $10 million the Province of British Columbia provided to the Red Cross in November 2018 for wildfire recovery efforts.
 
This financial assistance is to provide support for uninsured financial losses as a result of interrupted business operations, due to the fires. The amount of financial assistance provided to eligible businesses will be based on their individual needs, which will be determined through the application process.

Application Period

Small business owners and not-for-profit organizations are able to apply online until September 30, 2019.​  Applications for the Support to Small Business Program have now closed.

Minimum requirements to apply

  1. Have 50 employees or less.*
  2. Be located in a community identified as eligible for the program by Province of BC. Click here for a complete list.
  3. Have been in operation on or before August 2, 2018
  4. Be financially vulnerable as a result of the 2018 British Columbia Fires.
  5. Have resumed or are intending to resume operations.
  6. Have a net income of less than $250,000 (calculated as revenue less expenses).*
  7. Have the business be their primary source of income.* 
*Does not apply to not-for-profit organizations.


For small business owners

How to Apply

Applications for the Support to Small Business Program were accepted until September 30, 2019.

Required Documentation
Click here for a list of required documentation. Remember to upload or submit the documents required for your type of business. This documentation is needed to process your application. Please note that applications submitted without documentation are considered incomplete.

How to submit your paper application and required documentation

By email: BCSmallBizSupport@redcross.ca 

By mail:
Canadian Red Cross
Attn: Support to Small Business Program
400 Cooper Street, Suite 8000
Ottawa, Ontario 
K2P 2H8


For Not-for-Profit Organizations

How to Apply
 
Applications for the Support to Small Business Program were accepted until September 30, 2019.

Required Documentation
Click here for a list of required documentation. Remember to upload or submit the documents required for your type of business. This documentation is needed to process your application. Please note that applications submitted without documentation are considered incomplete.

How to submit your paper application and required documentation

By email: BCSmallBizSupport@redcross.ca 

By mail
Canadian Red Cross
Attn: Support to Small Business Program
400 Cooper Street, Suite 8000
Ottawa, Ontario 
K2P 2H8

Questions?
Please click here for frequently asked questions.

You can reach the Red Cross at 1-800-863-6582 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST, Monday to Friday. Press 1, 2, 1, 1 to talk to someone about the program.