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.

Social economy support program (PSES) – Stream 4
Social Economy Cluster — Central Quebec- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund (NICPF)
Public Safety Canada (PSC)- No Condition
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

PacifiCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems
Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan)- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

The Ontario Trillium Foundation - Capital Grants
OTF- From $10,000 to $200,000
- All industries

Tourisme Baie-James — EPRTNT – Studies and consulting services
Tourisme Baie-James- From $5,000 to $50,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

CIHR Health Research Collaboration
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)- No Condition
- Health care and social assistance

Luke Charpentier Memorial Fund
The Yellowknife Community Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

Regional Economic Growth Through Innovation & Southern Ontario Prosperity Program
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)- Minimum amount : 125,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Martin Fund
Hamilton Community Foundation- From $1,000 to $7,500
- All industries

Workforce Analysis and Planning Program (WAPP)
Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF)- Maximum amount : 400,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Launch Lab — Entrepreneurs In Residence (EIR)
Launch Lab- No Condition
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Podium Mines
Sous-traitance industrielle Québec (STIQ)- From $20,000 to $50,000
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing

Open Grants
Hamilton Community Foundation- Maximum amount : 35,000 $
- All industries

Export Market Access Program (EMAP)
LearnSphere- From $5,000 to $15,000
- Up to 45% of project cost
- All industries

ProVision Fund
Pacific Mountain Region - The United Church of Canada- No Condition
- All industries

Program to support the processing of end-of-life tires through reuse, recycling and energy recovery, as well as out-of-province processing.
Recyc-Québec- No Condition
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

Community Enhancement Employment Program
Department of Municipal Affairs and Community Engagement of Newfoundland and Labrador- No Condition
- All industries

Fisheries and Aquaculture Energy Efficiency Innovation Fund (FAEEIF)
Efficiency Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Alberta Petrochemicals Incentive Program (APIP)
Government of Alberta- Minimum amount : 50 $
- Up to 12% of project cost
- Manufacturing

Efficiency Nova Scotia — Affordable Multifamily Housing Program
Efficiency Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

SK Arts
Saskatchewan Arts Board- No Condition
- All industries

National Cost-Sharing Program for Heritage Places
Parks Canada- No Condition
- All industries

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

Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program (ACCBP)
Global Affairs Canada (GAC)- No Condition
- Public administration

MRC des Appalaches - Economic Diversification Fund (FDE)
MRC des Appalaches- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- All industries
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INOVAIT Pilot Fund
INOVAIT Canada- From $100,000 to $150,000
- Up to 3333% of project cost
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance

Ontario On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF)
Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA)- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Alberta — Value-Added Program
Government of Alberta- From $50,000 to $250,000
- Up to 25% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

BC On-Farm Technology Adoption Program
Innovate BC- From $300 to $150,000
- Up to 65% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Engage and Sustain — Artistic Catalysts
Canada Council for the Arts (CCA)- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Game Changer Grant
Fredericton Community Foundation Inc.- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- All industries

Matane — Grant programs for eco-friendly purchases
City of Matane- Maximum amount : 200 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Rosemary’s Pantry Grant
Fredericton Community Foundation Inc.- No Condition
- Health care and social assistance

Agricultural biodiversity enhancement program
Quebec Wildlife Foundation- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

AFA — Visual Arts and New Media Individual Project Funding
Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA)- Maximum amount : 18,000 $
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

BCAC — Arts Circulation and Touring – Organizations
British Columbia Arts Council (BCAC)- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
Social Development Partnerships Program - Disability Component (SDPP-D) - Intersectional Capacity Development Stream
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada; HRSDC; Employment and Social Development Canada; ESDC- From $500,000 to $700,000
- All industries

NGen — Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Value Chain Program (EVMP)
Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen)- Up to 35% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing

Community Initiatives Program (CIP) - Operating Grants
Alberta Arts, Culture and Status of Women- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- All industries

Arts, Culture & Heritage Fund Grants
Dufferin Community Foundation- No Condition
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

AI Sovereign Compute Infrastructure Program
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)- No Condition
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services

Agriculture Water Infrastructure Program – Stream 1
Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF)- From $200,000 to $1,000,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Child Sexual Abuse Programme
Oak Foundation- From $25,000 to $7,000,000
- All industries

NGen — Feasibility Studies
Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen)- From $100,000 to $500,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services

Market Access Strategy for Official Language Minority Communities (OLMC) Fund
Canada Council for the Arts (CCA)- No Condition
- All industries

Agriculture Research and Innovation — Applied Research (Agribusiness and Academic Institutions)
Government of Prince Edward Island- Maximum amount : 80,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Canadian Cleantech for Mining Mission to Australia and Indonesia
Government of Canada- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

PacifiCan — Economic Development Initiative (EDI)
Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan)- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) Program
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada- Minimum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Public administration

Yukon Mineral Exploration Program
Government of Yukon- No Condition
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
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AFA — Summer School Project Funding
Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA)- Up to 40% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 3 – Agri-Tech Energy Costs Savings
Agricultural Adaptation Council (AAC)- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 35% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

Canada Music Fund - New Musical Works Component
Department of Canadian Heritage (LJI)- No Condition
- All industries

Workplace Innovation and Productivity Skills Incentive
Government of Nova Scotia- From $5,000 to $100,000
- Up to 100% of project cost
- All industries

CKNW Kids' Fund
CKNW Orphans' Fund- No Condition
- Health care and social assistance

Cinespace Technician Roster
Indigenous Screen Office (ISO)- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries

Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED) — Strategic Investments
Government of the Northwest Territories- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Up to 30% of project cost
- All industries

Cultural Facilities Operational Support Grant
City of Kawartha Lakes- No Condition
- All industries

MEDTEQ+ — PARTENAR-IA — Academic
Consortium de recherche et d’innovation en technologies médicales du Québec- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 35% of project cost
- Transportation and warehousing
- Health care and social assistance

INVEST North Program — Regional Tile Drainage
Government of Ontario- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

EV ChargeON Program
Government of Ontario- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Utilities
- Transportation and warehousing
- Public administration

Annual Capital Grants
The Presbyteries of Toronto Conference Corporation- Up to 5% of project cost
- All industries

MRC de Bonaventure — Financial support for businesses
MRC de Bonaventure- No Condition
- All industries

Culture Quest
Yukon Department of Tourism and Culture- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- All industries

Turn to excellence!
La Financière agricole (FADQ)- From $2,000 to $7,000
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Operating Assistance to Cultural Organizations
Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- All industries

MEIE — Program to support the development of strategic sectors and niches of excellence (PADS)
Ministère de l'économie, de l'innovation et de l'énergie du Québec (MEIE)- No Condition
- All industries

- No Condition
- All industries

Emerging Farmers Award
Gouvernement du Québec- From $3,500 to $7,500
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Strong Neighbourhood Grants
City of Kelowna- Maximum amount : 1,500 $
- All industries

Business Incubation & Commercialization Grant Program
City of Toronto- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 20% of project cost
- All industries

Breakthrough Energy Solutions Canada
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)- No Condition
- Utilities
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Transportation and warehousing

RDAR — Irrigation Targeted Call
Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR)- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 60% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

OAC — French-language edition – how it works
Ontario Arts Council (OAC)- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Feeding Communities Fund
Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage- No Condition
- All industries
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Metcalf Foundation - Environment Program: Carbon Landscapes
The George Cedric Metcalf Charitable Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

Indigenous Economic Development Fund — Business and Community Fund
Government of Ontario- No Condition
- All industries

Newfoundland and Labrador Multiculturalism Grant Program (NLMGP)
Department of Jobs, Growth and Rural Development of Newfoundland and Labrador- Maximum amount : 1,500 $
- All industries

CALQ — Professional Development
Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec (CALQ)- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- All industries

AFA — Community Performing Arts Organizations Operating Funding
Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA)- No Condition
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Support Fund for Accessibility Costs
Conseil des arts de Montréal- Maximum amount : 2,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Culture and Heritage Grants and Contributions Program - Community Radio
Nunavut Department of Culture and Heritage- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- All industries

CultivART program – organization component
Conseil des arts de Montréal- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Aquatic habitat quality improvement (AQHA)
Quebec Wildlife Foundation- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Formations de courte durée (COUD) — Information technology and engineering
Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT)- Up to 100% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services

Environmentally responsible production, dissemination, promotion or resource-pooling
Conseil des arts de Montréal- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Project Grants for Organizations
Conseil des arts de Montréal- Up to 75% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Education and awareness project funding – clean transportation and clean fuels
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Fiscal Sponsorship
Conseil des arts de Montréal- No Condition
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Seafood Expansion and Market Access Program (SeaMArk)
Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation- Maximum amount : 99,900 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

Vantage Point bursaries - Free professional development workshops and labs
City of Vancouver- No Condition
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)

Ocean Supercluster
Canada's Ocean Supercluster (OSC)- No Condition
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Canadian Experiences Fund (CEF)
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)- Up to 100% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Support for Indigenous collectives and organizations
Conseil des arts de Montréal- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Tourisme Baie-James — EPRTNT – Digital development of a company
Tourisme Baie-James- From $2,500 to $50,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Accommodation and food services

Heritage Property Grant Program - Matching grant
City of Ottawa- Maximum amount : 35,000 $
- Construction
- Real estate and rental and leasing
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)

Boating Safety Contribution Program (BSCP)
Transport Canada (TC)- Maximum amount : 300,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Educational services
- Public administration

Economic Development Organization Operating Support Program (PAFODE) — Component 3 : Operating support for export support organizations
Gouvernement du Québec- Maximum amount : 600,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Project support program for the Critical and Strategic Minerals Scientific Research Network
Metal Transformation Research and Innovation Consortium (MTRIC)- Maximum amount : 2,000,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration