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.


Renter Services Grants

Call for Proposals to Address GBV through Promising Practices and Community-based Research - Stream 1: Promising Practices

Special Opportunity Grants Program

Small Food Processor Scale-Up Program (SFPS)

Irrigation Program — Irrigation Development Program

Biology Casework Analysis Contribution Program (BCACP)

Economic Trust of the Southern Interior BC (ETSI-BC) - Building Economic Development Capacity


Community - Store Giving Program


Advance Brampton Fund

Operate - Sustain

Territorial and sectoral development program — Stream 2.1

Childcare Program Development Grants

CALQ — Travel

Big Future Innovation Grant

Private Archives Processing Support Program
Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Scale ESEs

Efficiency Nova Scotia — Commercial New Construction

Economic Trust of the Southern Interior BC (ETSI-BC) - Supporting Business Resilience & Growth

Community Initiatives Fund - Summer Grants

RBC Foundation - Community Investments
Nova Scotia Black Community Housing Fund

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Discretionary funds

Première Ovation - Music

Heritage Preservation Partnership Program - Historic Resource Conservation Grants

Community Initiatives Program (CIP) - Project-Based Grants

Aura Cacia Positive Change Project

Initiatives program (FIP)

Professional and Institutional Development (P&ID) Program

CALQ — Promotion and awareness-raising

Moffat Family Fund - Moose Jaw & District

Shuswap Community Foundation Grants

Environmental Conservation

Dutton Dunwich-West Elgin Community Grants

Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program – Stream 3

Family and Community Support Services Program

Help for community media operations

Community Partnership Capital Programs - Community Partnership Minor Capital Program


Nova Scotia — Export Development Program

Change Can’t Wait!

Together CK - Core Grant Program

Pride London Festival Endowment Fund

Affordable Housing Initiative

Community Investment Program - Community Sustaining Grant

Community Recreation Capital Grant

OAC — Diffusion – French-language projects
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Look through over 4,000 grants, tax credits, loans and more financial aid on the helloDarwin application.

SickKids Foundation - SickKids WomenPowered


Heritage Organization Development Grants Program


Small Business Recovery (SBR) Consulting Rebate

Energy Innovation Program — On-road Transportation Decarbonization


Atlantic Fisheries Fund — Infrastructure

Access to Justice Fund

The Sifton Family Foundation

French Language Arts and Culture Development

Donor Advised Funds

Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS)
EconoLease Community Grants Program

Innovate BC — BC Fast Pilot program

Medical research grants
CleanBC — Go Electric Other Rebates

Community Development Funds - Performing Arts Community Development Fund

Community Food Fund

Culture Funding - Arts funding program


The Christmas Cheer Foundation

Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone (EASE) Grant

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Fondation Québec Philanthrope - Mental Health Support Program

Community Funding Program - Emergency Funding

Prairieaction Foundation - Education & Awareness Grant Program

Grow Ontario Market Initiative

City of Lévis — Quebec Business Access Network

Seniors Community Grant Program

Specialized Criminal Justice Navigator Grant

Heritage Grants - Heritage Conservation Grants Program

Culture and Heritage (Schedule A)

Ontario Endowment for Children and Youth in Recreation Fund

Step Up for Mental Health Fund

Racial Equity Research Grants

The Newfoundland and Labrador Disaster Financial Assistance Program (NL-DFAP)

Rio Tinto Alcan Canada - Rio Tinto Aluminum Canada Fund

Core Support Grants (CSG)


Learn and Adapt

Tourisme Baie-James — EPRTNT – Festivals and events

Donation Programs

Montérégie Tourism — EPRTNT 2025-2027 – Attractions, activities and facilities

Tourisme Baie-James — EPRTNT – Structuring the tourism offer


Spruce Up Your Story

French Language Services Program

