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.
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 provides financial incentives to eligible small businesses and not-for-profits that are 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.
For more information, please visit: https://www.redcross.ca/2021BCFloods/mitigation.
Available Funding
The total maximum financial assistance available to each applicant is $10,000. However, the amount of reimbursement your organization or business may receive depends on the specific activities you wish to undertake.
Approved applicants are required to submit receipts and provide proof of work completed (by providing before and after photos) to be eligible for reimbursement.
Note that activities completed before April 14, 2025, are not eligible for reimbursement.
Eligibility Criteria
This pilot program is 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 will primarily focus on mitigation activities to reduce flood impacts, it will also offer a limited selection of activities that relate to extreme heat events.
Completion of the Ready Rating Advanced Assessment is highly encouraged to support organizations to become better prepared to respond effectively, and recover quickly, from disasters and other emergencies. Additionally, applicants who submit the Ready Rating Seal as proof of completion will be eligible for a financial incentive.
Applicants can also select from a number of other activities including (*note no single item can exceed $10,000):
Floods Mitigation activities:
- 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 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
Extreme Heat Mitigation activities:
- Install window film / tint
- Install insulated / blackout curtains / black out blinds
- Install portable air conditioning unit
- Install ceiling fans
- Install whole home air conditioning unit
Small businesses and not-for-profit organizations must:
- 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 *
* Does not apply to not-for-profit organizations.
Deadline to Apply
We will begin accepting applications on April 14, 2025, and the deadline to submit your application is August 29, 2025. All activities need to be completed by January 31, 2026.
If you have any questions, please contact us by email at BCMitigation@redcross.ca or by phone at 1-833-966-4225, Monday to Friday between 9:00 am and 6:30 pm Pacific Time, closed weekends and statutory holidays.
Resources for Applicants
Frequently Asked Questions
Application Guide
Reducing the Risk - Flood and Extreme Heat Mitigation Guide
Activity table - Additional Information and Special Requirements
2021 BC Floods - Small Business and Not-for-Profits Mitigation Incentive Program
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.
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 provides financial incentives to eligible small businesses and not-for-profits that are 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.
For more information, please visit: https://www.redcross.ca/2021BCFloods/mitigation.
Available Funding
The total maximum financial assistance available to each applicant is $10,000. However, the amount of reimbursement your organization or business may receive depends on the specific activities you wish to undertake.
Approved applicants are required to submit receipts and provide proof of work completed (by providing before and after photos) to be eligible for reimbursement.
Note that activities completed before April 14, 2025, are not eligible for reimbursement.
Eligibility Criteria
This pilot program is 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 will primarily focus on mitigation activities to reduce flood impacts, it will also offer a limited selection of activities that relate to extreme heat events.
Completion of the Ready Rating Advanced Assessment is highly encouraged to support organizations to become better prepared to respond effectively, and recover quickly, from disasters and other emergencies. Additionally, applicants who submit the Ready Rating Seal as proof of completion will be eligible for a financial incentive.
Applicants can also select from a number of other activities including (*note no single item can exceed $10,000):
Floods Mitigation activities:
- 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 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
Extreme Heat Mitigation activities:
- Install window film / tint
- Install insulated / blackout curtains / black out blinds
- Install portable air conditioning unit
- Install ceiling fans
- Install whole home air conditioning unit
Small businesses and not-for-profit organizations must:
- 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 *
* Does not apply to not-for-profit organizations.
Deadline to Apply
We will begin accepting applications on April 14, 2025, and the deadline to submit your application is August 29, 2025. All activities need to be completed by January 31, 2026.
If you have any questions, please contact us by email at BCMitigation@redcross.ca or by phone at 1-833-966-4225, Monday to Friday between 9:00 am and 6:30 pm Pacific Time, closed weekends and statutory holidays.
Resources for Applicants
Frequently Asked Questions
Application Guide
Reducing the Risk - Flood and Extreme Heat Mitigation Guide
Activity table - Additional Information and Special Requirements