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.

MRC Arthabaska — Futurpreneur Canada
- Maximum amount : 60,000 $
- All industries

Musicaction — Canvassing
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Funding program for cybersecurity innovation projects in Quebec – Innovation stream
- Up to 25% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

PME MTL — New Community Businesses
- From $23,000 to $23,000
- All industries

Ministerial Initiative Agri-Environmental Compensation
- From $1,500 to $50,000
- All industries

Indigenous Justice Program - Indigenous Engagement Fund
- No Condition
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

MRC Nicolet-Yamaska — Signature project (FRR part 3)
- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Enbridge Gas Quebec — Cash incentives – Feasibility study
- Maximum amount : 2,500 $
- Up to 40% of project cost
- Utilities
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Real estate and rental and leasing

Genomic Applications Partnership Program (GAPP) — Alberta
- From $100,000 to $2,000,000
- Up to 33% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance

Employment stabilization
- Maximum amount : 6,500 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

MRC Deux-Montagnes — Regional and Rural Fund (FRR) – Stream 3
- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)

Tourism Relief Fund (TRF)
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

Support Program for Isolated Communities
- Maximum amount : 950,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

PME MTL — Funds for Retail businesses
- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Retail trade

Beauce-Centre MRC — Optimization Assistance Program
- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

MRC Marguerite-D'Youville — Business Support Fund – Stream 4
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 10% of project cost
- All industries

MRC Kamouraska — Bas-Saint-Laurent Territorial Partnership Program
- No Condition
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

MRC Beaharnois-Salaberry — Signature Innovation Project (PSI)
- Maximum amount : 1,584,870 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- All industries

Développement Vaudreuil-Soulanges — FSTE
- From $25,000 to $150,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)

Green Alleyway Support Program
- No Condition
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

MRC Collines-de-l'Outaouais — Festivals and Events Support Fund (FSÉF) – Component 2
- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 20% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

MRC L'Islet — Support Fund for Structural Projects (FSPS)
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 95% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Retail trade
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)

MRC La Matapédia — Regions and Rurality Fund of La Matapédia - Structuring Projects Support Policy
- From $5,001 to $25,000
- Up to 25% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Indigenous Justice Program - The Community-Based Justice Fund
- No Condition
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Program to help Québec tourism activities, attractions and events go digital — Activities, attractions and events
- From $10,000 to $60,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
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Rio Tinto Aluminium Valley Fund
- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing

MRC Rivière-du-Loup — Business Succession
- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Protein Industries Canada — Artificial Intelligence
- Up to 45% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

MRC Les Basques — Local Investment Fund (FLI) / Local Solidarity Fund (FLS)
- 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

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

OAC — Music Organizations: Operating
- No Condition
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

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

MRC Maskinongé — Programme DÉPART
- No Condition
- All industries

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

Language Interpreter Grants
- No Condition
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Ontario Automotive Investment Strategy (OAIS)
- No Condition
- Manufacturing

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

Newcomer Settlement Program
- No Condition
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Next Generation of Jobs Fund
- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Utilities
- Manufacturing

Strategic Jobs Investment Fund (SJIF)
- No Condition
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Finance and insurance
- Health care and social assistance

Occupational Health and Safety Prevention and Innovation Program
- 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
- No Condition
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Community-University Engagement Support (CUES) Fund
- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

OAC — Accessibility Fund: Project Support
- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

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

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

Indigenous Relations Office Sponsorships
- No Condition
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

OAC — Artists in Communities and Schools Projects
- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Indigenous Capacity Support Program
- Maximum amount : 300,000 $
- All industries

Community Planting and Stewardship Grant
- 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
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McConnell Foundation - Funding Opportunities
- No Condition
- All industries

PrairiesCan — Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative — Indigenous Stream
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing

CleanBC — Commercial Vehicle Pilots Program
- Maximum amount : 10,000,000 $
- Up to 33% of project cost
- Transportation and warehousing

Seafood Accelerator Program — Market Access Food Safety Program
- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

The Main Street Revitalization – Capital Program
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Public administration

Neighbourhood Planting Program
- Maximum amount : 500 $
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)

Québec city — Supporting the development of the Saint-Roch district
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 25% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Finance and insurance
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

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

G. Murray and Edna Forbes Foundation Fund
- From $5,000 to $35,000
- All industries

SickKids Foundation - New Investigator Research Grants
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- All industries

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

Heritage Organization Development Grants Program
- Maximum amount : 1,545 $
- All industries

Promotion Program – Industry Initiatives Stream
- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries

Cultural Indigenous Funding (CIF)
- From $15,000 to $40,000
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

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

Programme d'accessibilité des établissements touristiques
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
- All industries

Strategic Fund – Community Life
- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)

Community Generator Program
- Maximum amount : 50 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- All industries

Efficiency Nova Scotia — Agriculture Program
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Community Recreation Capital Grant
- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- All industries

Culture Innovation Fund
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- All industries

Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in southern Ontario - Pillar 2: AI Adoption
- Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing
- Finance and insurance
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Workforce Training and Employment — Self Employment
- No Condition
- All industries

Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund
- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Other services (except public administration)

Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in southern Ontario - Pillar 1: AI Productization and Commercialization
- Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
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Collective Fund for Climate and Ecological Transition
- From $15,000 to $60,000
- Public administration

Conservation and Science
- No Condition
- All industries

Port Coquitlam Community Foundation - Community Grant
- No Condition
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Environmental Conservation
- No Condition
- All industries

Funding WORBE: Workplace opportunities: Removing barriers to equity
- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Transportation and warehousing
- Information and cultural industries
- Finance and insurance
- Other services (except public administration)

Basin Job Experience Trail Crews Program
- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Strategic Development Initiative
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- All industries

Humanities in Place
- No Condition
- All industries

Indigenous Healing and Wellness Grants
- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 60% of project cost
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

New Frontiers in Research Fund — International Stream
- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 25% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

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

MRC Brome-Missisquoi — Petits établissements accessibles (PEA) program
- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
- Retail trade
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)

Indigenous Food Systems and Agriculture Partnership Program (IFSAP)
- Maximum amount : 80,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Livestock Waste Tissue Initiative (LWTI)
- Maximum amount : 40,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Dance Creation Residency
- Maximum amount : 8,500 $
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Indigenous Food Systems & Agriculture Skills & Training Program (ISAT)
- From $25,000 to $80,000
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Catalyst and Transformation Fund
- No Condition
- All industries

Eurogia Cluster's 29th Call for proposals – Clean Technologies
- No Condition
- Utilities
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries

The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative
- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 60% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

Arts and Cultural Assistance Program
- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- All industries

Indigenous Food Security and Sovereignty
- No Condition
- All industries

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

Enbridge Gas Quebec — Cash incentives – Effective renovation
- No Condition
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Nation Building
- Maximum amount : 120,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
- All industries

Codes Acceleration Fund (CAF)
- No Condition
- Construction