No Halo News · Sourced development
WRVO reports American Red Cross and U.S. Chamber Foundation launched small-business disaster preparedness partnership
WRVO Public Media reported that the American Red Cross and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation formed a partnership to help small businesses assess disaster risks, create emergency plans and access a resource for post-disaster grants. The initiative uses the Red Cross Ready Rating program to provide preparedness assessments, templates and planning tools.
Status matters. This page records a sourced development, not a completed No Halo investigation. An allegation is not a finding. Dismissals, settlements, judgments, corrections and final outcomes remain distinct.
Donor relevance
Why this matters
The partnership expands the Red Cross's preparedness work to small businesses, which can be economically vulnerable after disasters. Donors may view the collaboration as evidence that the charity is using outside partnerships to extend disaster-resilience and recovery support.
Attribution
Who reported or established this
WRVO Public Media reported the development and quoted Jennifer Pipa, vice president of American Red Cross Disaster Programs, describing preparedness gaps among small-business owners and the Ready Rating tools.
Evidence limits
What remains unverified
No Halo has not independently established the partnership's full contractual terms, grant eligibility rules, available funding, participation levels or eventual outcomes for small businesses.
Right of reply
Organization response
American Red Cross vice president Jennifer Pipa told WRVO that many small-business owners believe they are prepared but have not taken concrete steps such as developing emergency plans, backing up records or planning for power and communications disruptions. She described Ready Rating as a way to assess local risks and build emergency plans.
Classification
How No Halo records this event
Event type: Operational Expansion. Current state: Reported. No Halo preserves the current procedural state rather than treating every mention as a finding.
Published September 17, 2026 · Last verified September 20, 2026. See an error or a later outcome? Submit a correction or right of reply.