Canadian Red Cross provides financial support to small businesses and not-for-profits in Saskatchewan following wildfires

$2,000 will be provided to eligible small businesses and not-for-profits impacted by the 2025 wildfires

Thanks to a $15 million funding commitment from the Government of Saskatchewan, the Canadian Red Cross has announced the Support to Small Businesses and Not-for-Profits Program to further help with recovery efforts. The program will provide financial assistance to eligible small businesses and not-for-profit organizations directly impacted by the 2025 Saskatchewan wildfires.

Small businesses and not-for-profits located in a community in Saskatchewan that were required to evacuate for seven days or more due to the wildfires may be eligible for $2,000. Funds may be used to cover expenses such as clean-up costs, insurance deductibles, storage and movement of inventory, and other urgent expenses.

To be eligible for this program, small businesses or not-for-profit organizations must have been in operation on or before an evacuation order was put in place for their respective community, and are intending to resume operations following the fires. In consultation with impacted communities, a program to help support trappers who were impacted by the wildfires and may not meet this eligibility criteria is in development and will be available in the new year.

For the full list of eligibility requirements, as well as application information for the Support to Small Businesses and Not-for-Profits Program, please visit www.redcross.ca/2025SaskatchewanWildfires.

Applications for the Support to Small Businesses and Not-for-Profits Program will be accepted until March 27, 2026. Communities eligible for this support were determined in collaboration with the Government of Saskatchewan.

In addition to this new program, the Canadian Red Cross continues to provide personalized recovery support to individuals and families impacted by the wildfires. This may include financial assistance for early recovery needs for those whose primary residence sustained minor or major damage or was destroyed, and who have expenses related to the wildfires. For more information on support available, please visit www.redcross.ca/2025SaskatchewanWildfires.

QUOTES:

“Small businesses and not-for-profit organizations are the backbone of Saskatchewan communities. By helping local small businesses and not-for profit organizations with some of the unexpected costs following the fires, these funds will make a lot of difference to further help recovery.”

– Luc Mullinder, vice-president, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Nunavut, Canadian Red Cross

“This commitment from our government will help ease the financial pressures that can come with recovery. We are extremely pleased with the Canadian Red Cross’s announcement to support small businesses that were impacted by this unprecedented wildfire season.”

 – The Honourable Michael Weger, Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency

“We appreciate the support the Canadian Red Cross is offering Saskatchewan small businesses by utilizing some of the $15 million in funding provided by the Government of Saskatchewan. This wildfire season was unprecedented and this will help in their recovery efforts.”

– Marlo Pritchard, President and Fire commissioner, Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency

Additional Resources

@RedCrossCanada | facebook.com/CanadianRedCross | redcross.ca/blog
Red Cross donor inquiries: WeCare@redcross.ca or 1-800-418-1111

About the Canadian Red Cross

Here in Canada and overseas, the Red Cross stands ready to help people before, during and after a disaster. As a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – which is made up of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 191 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies – the Canadian Red Cross is dedicated to helping people and communities in Canada and around the world in times of need and supporting them in strengthening their resilience.

MEDIA CONTACTS

English Media: 1-877-599-9602 and media@redcross.ca
French Media: 1-888-418-9111 and communication@croixrouge.ca