Small Business and Not-for-Profits Mitigation Incentive Pilot Program
Overview
Available Funding
Eligibility Criteria
Deadline to Apply
Resources for Applicants
The Canadian Red Cross is committed to supporting communities impacted by the 2021 BC Floods and Extreme Weather event, both in their recovery from the event and in increasing their resilience to future events.
Please note that the application period for this program closed on August 29, 2025. Applications will not be accepted after this date.
Approved applicants were required to submit receipts and provide proof of work completed (by providing before and after photos) to be eligible for reimbursement.
While the program was primarily focused on mitigation activities to reduce flood impacts, it also offered a limited selection of activities that relate to extreme heat events.
Completion of the Ready Rating Advanced Assessment was and continues to be highly encouraged to support organizations to become better prepared to respond effectively, and recover quickly, from disasters and other emergencies. Additionally, applicants who submitted the Ready Rating Seal as proof of completion were eligible for a financial incentive.
Applicants could also select from a number of other activities including (*note no single item can exceed $10,000):
The application deadline was August 29, 2025. All activities needed to be completed by January 31, 2026.
If you have any questions, contact us by email at BCMitigation@redcross.ca or call and leave a message at 1-833-966-4225. Someone will respond to you within 2 business days.
Available Funding
Eligibility Criteria
Deadline to Apply
Resources for Applicants
The Canadian Red Cross is committed to supporting communities impacted by the 2021 BC Floods and Extreme Weather event, both in their recovery from the event and in increasing their resilience to future events.
Please note that the application period for this program closed on August 29, 2025. Applications will not be accepted after this date.
Overview
The Canadian Red Cross recognizes that mitigation measures can be powerful tools for protecting against future events. The Small Business and Not-for-Profits Mitigation Incentive Pilot Program provided financial incentives to eligible small businesses and not-for-profits that were interested in undertaking maintenance or mitigative actions to make their business or organization more resilient to future floods and extreme heat events. By taking proactive steps to prevent or reduce the impact of natural hazards, communities can help to limit the costs of recovery and rebuilding after an event occurs.Available Funding
The total maximum financial assistance available to each applicant was $10,000. However, the amount of reimbursement your organization or business received depended on which activities you completed and whether you met the special requirements for each one.Approved applicants were required to submit receipts and provide proof of work completed (by providing before and after photos) to be eligible for reimbursement.
Eligibility Criteria
This pilot program was open to eligible small businesses and not-for-profit organizations that are physically located in areas impacted by the 2021 BC Floods and Extreme Weather event and operate their small business or organization in that location.While the program was primarily focused on mitigation activities to reduce flood impacts, it also offered a limited selection of activities that relate to extreme heat events.
Completion of the Ready Rating Advanced Assessment was and continues to be highly encouraged to support organizations to become better prepared to respond effectively, and recover quickly, from disasters and other emergencies. Additionally, applicants who submitted the Ready Rating Seal as proof of completion were eligible for a financial incentive.
Applicants could also select from a number of other activities including (*note no single item can exceed $10,000):
- Complete the Ready Rating Advanced Membership
- Replace at or below-grade windows and/or exterior doors
- Install downspout extensions
- Install backwater valve and alarm
- Install an alarm on existing backwater valve
- Install sump pump and alarm - New Installation
- Replace existing sump pump
- Extend sump pump discharge pipe
- Install flood alarms
- Raise mechanical and electrical equipment, and other utilities off the floor
- Relocate below-grade electrical panel to above-grade location
- Window film/tint
- Insulated/blackout curtains
- Blackout blinds
- A portable air conditioning unit
- Ceiling fans
Small businesses and not-for-profit organizations had to:
- Be located in an area that was impacted by the floods and extreme weather event in British Columbia in November 2021
- Have 50 employees or less *
- Have a net income of less than $350,000 (calculated as revenue less expenses)*
- Have the business as their primary source of income *
Note that activities completed before April 14, 2025, were not eligible for reimbursement.
Deadline to Apply
The application deadline was August 29, 2025. All activities needed to be completed by January 31, 2026.If you have any questions, contact us by email at BCMitigation@redcross.ca or call and leave a message at 1-833-966-4225. Someone will respond to you within 2 business days.