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.

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French Language Services Program

QEPD — Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund - CED (QC)

ISO/Netflix Indigenous Production Apprenticeships and Cultural Mentorships Grant

Canada Foundation for Innovation - John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF)

Rio Tinto Alcan Canada - Diavik Communities Contribution Programme

Aboriginal Business Loans — Youth and Womens Loans

Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant (CAPG)

Toronto Arts Council - Strategic Funding Programs

Celebration and Commemoration Program - Commemorate Canada

Giving Voice Grants

ERA — Advanced Materials Challenge

Métis Cultural Development Fund

BOLT Grant Program

Community Capacity Building Fund
Nova Scotia Community Housing Capital Fund

Skills for Success Program — Research and Innovation Stream

Communities - Americas, Local Charity of the Year

Scale AI — STEM Youth Awareness Program

ViaSport - BC Sport Participation Program: Community Sport Program Development Fund

PacifiCan — Jobs and Growth Fund — For profit

Adjustment Services

The Sisters of Providence Care of St. Vincent de Paul Community Impact Fund - ACEs & Resilience Stream

Stait Family Fund

Marian Hebb Research Grant
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Regional development agencies: COVID-19 support

First Peoples' Cultural Council - Arts Vitality Grant

Non-profit housing retrofit grants

Toronto Urban Health Fund (TUHF)

ViaSport - Northern BC Coaching and Officiating Development Fund

Vision Grants



Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED) — Entrepreneur Support

Musagetes Grant Program

STDP AO 10.3 Space R&D – Next wave of technologies

Donation and Sponsorship Requests

Children and Youth Program Grants

OAC — Multi and Inter-Arts Organizations: Operating

Improving Crop and Livestock Health and Quality


Official Languages Economic Development Initiative in Quebec — For-profit

OAC — Literature – French-language projects


Public Voice Fund

Civil Forfeiture Grant Program - Restorative Justice

Prospera Foundation Grants

Aecon Cares

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CED — Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative

Agricultural and Sector Show Support Program – Stream 1.2



Edmonton Immigrant and Refugee Communities Grant Program - Community Impact Grant

WindsorEssex Community Foundation - KidStartGrants

Donation Program

Biofood Innovation Program Component 3 – Business innovation in the commercial fisheries and aquaculture sector

Vermilion Ways of Caring

Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) - Harvester Training

Artist to Market Program (AMP)

Global Programmes - Disaster Risk Reduction

Sustainable Growth and Adoption Program (SGAP)

OASIS Program

ARBJ — Entrepreneurial Skills Development Program

Transal — Consortium TIC

Future Fisher Program

Rental Cost Assistance

Forest Biomass Program — Modernization stream

Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program — Collaboration projects

Global Programmes - Social Entrepreneurship

The Accerta Health Access Foundation Grant

First Nations Training to Employment Program

Community Opportunity Readiness Program

Community Salmon Program
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Sienna For Seniors Grant

Enfant Soleil - Sport and Susatainable Health Fund

Arts Across Canada — Circulation and Touring

Journalism Futures Fund - Organizational Funding Stream

Cultural Industry Organizations Project Grant

Charity Alive Fund

Alberta Innovates — Industry R&D Associates Program

OCI — Critical Industrial Technologies initiative (CIR)

AFA — Public Art Galleries Operating Funding

Support for Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (SEED) — Sector Support Capital Expansion Incentive

The Sisters of Providence Care of St. Vincent de Paul Community Impact Fund - Older Adults Connecting & Belonging (OACB) Stream

Partners for Places Grant

Upskilling for Industry Initiative (UII)

Community Addictions Prevention and Mental Health Promotion Fund

Scotiabank - Climate Action Research Fund

Canada Arts Presentation Fund - Development

Culture and Heritage Grants and Contributions Program - Culture and Heritage

Arts Funding Program - Three-Year Operating Funding

NED Grants Program

Action for Women’s Health

General Community Crisis Response Fund


The Gordon Foundation
