Business Financing in Canada
Funding is a crucial element for any business looking to start, grow, or innovate. In addition to traditional options such as bank loans or relying on investors, there is a frequently underestimated alternative: grants. This detailed guide explores the various sources of grants available, as well as the financial services and sustainable funding strategies for businesses in Canada. By following the outlined steps, entrepreneurs can identify grants suited to their projects, whether they are government programs, innovation funds, or initiatives specifically targeting certain sectors. Grants are an advantageous solution, often non-repayable, allowing businesses to fund their projects without resorting to debt.

Musicaction — National collective promotion
Musicaction- Maximum amount : 400,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

MRC Les Basques — Local Investment Fund (FLI) / Local Solidarity Fund (FLS)
MRC Les Basques- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Retail trade
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance

Innovate BC — Innovator Skills Initiative (ISI)
Government of British Columbia- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Public administration

FACTOR funding for the sound recording industry
Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTR)- From $5,000 to $5,000
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Assistance program for Festivals, Events and Museum exhibitions
Tourisme Montréal- Minimum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 10% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Xecs – electronic components and systems Call 5 call for proposals
National Research Council Canada (NRC)- No Condition
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Recyc-Québec — Beverage Container Recycling — Stream 3
Recyc-Québec- Maximum amount : 2,000,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

Funding program for cybersecurity innovation projects in Quebec – Certification stream
PROMPT- Up to 50% of project cost
- Professional, scientific and technical services

OAC — Music Organizations: Operating
Ontario Arts Council (OAC)- No Condition
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Nordic Incubator-Accelerator — Stream 2 — Financial Assistance
Gouvernement du Québec- Maximum amount : 400,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

Tourism establishment accessibility program
Kéroul- From $20,000 to $100,000
- Up to 65% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

MRC Maskinongé — Programme DÉPART
MRC de Maskinongé- No Condition
- All industries

MRC Maskinongé — RRF-stream 3 Signature innovation
MRC de Maskinongé- No Condition
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Language Interpreter Grants
Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS)- No Condition
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Ontario Automotive Investment Strategy (OAIS)
Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (ON)- No Condition
- Manufacturing

Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program (CAIP)
National Research Council Canada (NRC)- Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services

Newcomer Settlement Program
Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development- No Condition
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Next Generation of Jobs Fund
Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (ON)- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Utilities
- Manufacturing

Strategic Jobs Investment Fund (SJIF)
Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (ON)- No Condition
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Finance and insurance
- Health care and social assistance

Occupational Health and Safety Prevention and Innovation Program
Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development- No Condition
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Construction
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

Developing a green alley or public space in CDN-NDG
City of Montreal (MTL)- No Condition
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Rental Cost Assistance
Government of Prince Edward Island- Maximum amount : 60,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries

Affordable Community Housing Program & Accelerator Fund
Vancity Community Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

Laval Économique — Innogec Laval Fund
Laval Economique- From $5,000 to $15,000
- Up to 40% of project cost
- All industries

Community Initiatives Program (CIP) Project-Based
Government of Alberta- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
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Fonds Développement La Mitis - PM 150
La Mitis RMC- No Condition
- All industries

Community Planting and Stewardship Grant
City of Toronto- From $5,000 to $100,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Ottawa — Tourism Accessibility Fund (TAF)
City of Ottawa- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Retail trade
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)

OVIN — Regional Future Workforce Program
Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)- No Condition
- Manufacturing
- Educational services
McConnell Foundation - Funding Opportunities
The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

AFA — Professional Performing Arts Organizations Operating Funding
Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA)- Up to 10% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Energy Innovation Program — Clean Fuels Call for Proposals
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)- From $500,000 to $10
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Utilities
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Other services (except public administration)

Magazine Publishers Travel Support
Creative BC- Maximum amount : 3,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

Kakivak Association — Economic Opportunity Fund
Kakivak Association- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Retail trade
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)

Funding for the Fraser River Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative
Canada Water Agency (CWA)- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Public administration

SickKids Foundation - New Investigator Research Grants
The Hospital for Sick Children Foundation- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- All industries

Financial assistance program for the preservation of community buildings
Quebec Housing Society (SHQ)- Up to 75% of project cost
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Music Industry Initiatives
Creative BC- From $2,000 to $60,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED) — Entrepreneur Support
Government of the Northwest Territories- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 20% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)

Territorial and sectoral development program — Stream 1.1
Gouvernement du Québec- From $5,000 to $50,000
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Global Impact Cash Grants
Cisco- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- All industries

Greening Partnership Grant
City of Toronto- From $5,000 to $100,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Educational services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Public transit development assistance program – Stream 2 : Financial assistance for regional public transit
Minister of Transport and Sustainable Mobility of Quebec- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Transportation and warehousing
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Talent to Watch program
Telefilm Canada- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Innovation PEI Small Business Assistance
Government of Prince Edward Island- Maximum amount : 4,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Environment - Transforming Development Finance
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

Environment - Special Initiatives
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

Business Energy Rebates
Efficiency Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 4,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Yukon Tourism Training Fund
Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon- Up to 75% of project cost
- Accommodation and food services

Green Construction through Wood (GCWood) Program
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)- Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Public administration
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Financial assistance to develop the production, processing and marketing of Nordic biofood products
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ)- Minimum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Accommodation and food services

New Frontiers in Research Fund — Exploration Stream
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- All industries

Civil Society - Strengthening Civic Space
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

ÉCLO Regional Fund – Stream 2
MRC Fjord-du-Saguenay- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- All industries

Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (RAISE)
Government of Ontario- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services

Community Interaction Program — Study/action projects
Government of Canada- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Other services (except public administration)

Conservation and Science
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

AgriAssurance Program — National Industry Association
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Workforce Training and Employment — Employment Partnerships
Government of Manitoba- No Condition
- All industries

Environmental Conservation
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation (GBMF)- No Condition
- All industries

PollinateTO
City of Toronto- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Accelerating Innovations into CarE (AICE) – Validate
Alberta Innovates- Maximum amount : 300,000 $
- Up to 25% of project cost
- Health care and social assistance

Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant (CAPG)
Government of Alberta- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Public Knowledge
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

First Nations and Inuit Cultural Education Centres Program
Indigenous Services Canada- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services

Humanities in Place
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

District of North Vancouver Municipal Community Grants
City and District of North Vancouver; North Vancouver Recreation & Culture Commission- No Condition
- All industries

Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association - Parks for All Action Grant
SPRA- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- All industries

The Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program – Stream 2
Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF)- Maximum amount : 2,000,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

DINA Sustainable Food Systems Initiative
Danone Institute of North America- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

MRC de Thérèse de Blainville — Créavenir
MRC Thérèse de Blainville- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- All industries

The Temiskaming Foundation - Englehart & Area Community Fund Grant
Tri-Town Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

Ontario Junior Exploration Program
Government of Ontario- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

Self-Employment Program
Government of the Northwest Territories- Maximum amount : 26,000 $
- All industries
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Energy Innovation Program — Battery Industry Acceleration
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)- No Condition
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

MRC Deux-Montagnes — Créavenir
MRC Deux-Montagnes- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- All industries

Official Languages Economic Development Initiative in Quebec — For-profit
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)- Up to 50% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Other services (except public administration)

Public Art Grants
City of Vancouver- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Arts and Cultural Assistance Program
City of Sault Ste. Marie- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- All industries

MEDTEQ+ — Vitrine d’innovation en santé
Consortium de recherche et d’innovation en technologies médicales du Québec- Maximum amount : 350,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance

Organizational Development Program
Black to the Future- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- All industries

Research Funding Programs
Stem Cell Network- Maximum amount : 750,000 $
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance

Growing Greenhouses Program
Government of Alberta- From $2,000,000 to $4,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Codes Acceleration Fund (CAF)
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)- No Condition
- Construction

Canada History Fund
Canadian Heritage- Up to 75% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services

Youth Climate Action Grants
City of Toronto- Maximum amount : 1,000 $
- Educational services

The Lyle S. Hallman Foundation - General Operating Support
The Lyle Shantz Hallman Charitable Foundation, The Lyle S. Hallman Charitable Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

Neighbourhood Climate Action Grants
City of Toronto- Maximum amount : 7,500 $
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Canada Periodical Fund — Special Measures for Journalism
Canadian Heritage- Minimum amount : 2,500 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

Youth Climate Action Fund
Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact Fund (HCi3)- From $1,400 to $7,000
- Utilities
- Construction
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Young Entrepreneurs Program
Government of Manitoba- From $500 to $10,000
- Up to 25% of project cost
- All industries

ACOA Jobs and Growth Fund — For Profit
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Health care and social assistance

Celebration and Commemoration Program - Commemorate Canada
Department of Canadian Heritage, Celebrate Canada- No Condition
- All industries

RDAR — Agriculture Funding Consortium (AFC)
Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR)- Up to 10% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

REGI — Regional Innovation Ecosystems — CED (QC) — Not-for-profit
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)- Up to 90% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services
- Other services (except public administration)
Commemorative Partnership Program - Community War Memorial
Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC)- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- All industries

Catalyst Research Grant
MS Canada- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Health care and social assistance

Gaelic Language and Culture in the Community
Nova Scotia Office of Gaelic Affairs- Maximum amount : 2,500 $
- All industries

Indigenous Climate Action Grants
City of Toronto- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation