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.

School bus electrification program – Stream 1 : Financial assistance for the purchase of an electric school bus
Gouvernement du Québec- From $240,000 to $240,000
- Up to 65% of project cost
- Transportation and warehousing
- Educational services

Skills Development Program
Government of the Northwest Territories- Maximum amount : 26,000 $
- All industries

Organic Certification Rebate Program
Government of Nova Scotia- Maximum amount : 750 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

CBC-APTN Early Stage Scripted Development Program
Indigenous Screen Office (ISO)- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- Information and cultural industries

Rural, Remote and Indigenous Food Action grants
Northern Health Authority- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

IMAGINE Grants
Northern Health Authority- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Health care and social assistance

Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) — Community economic development projects
Government of Ontario- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Clarence Campeau Development Fund
Government of Saskatchewan- From $10,000 to $10,000,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Other services (except public administration)

Senior Care Micro Grant
Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Health care and social assistance

Potato Stabilization and Innovation initiative (PSII)
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Renewable and Alternative Energy Program
Alberta Innovates- No Condition
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Construction
- Professional, scientific and technical services

International Development Assistance Program
Global Affairs Canada (GAC)- Up to 100% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Finance and insurance
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services

Legion Foundation Grant Program
British Columbia/Yukon Command of the Royal Canadian Legion Foundation- From $1,000 to $2,000
- Up to 90% of project cost
- Other services (except public administration)

Major Event Grant
Town of Canmore- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- All industries

First Nations and Inuit Policing Program (FNIPP)
Public Safety Canada (PSC)- No Condition
- Public administration

AgriAssurance Program — Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant (DSS)
Digital Main Street- No Condition
- Retail trade

Energy Innovation Program — Carbon capture, utilization and storage RD&D
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)- No Condition
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Re-Skill Saskatchewan Training Subsidy
Government of Saskatchewan- From $1,000 to $5,000
- Up to 100% of project cost
- All industries

Community Investment Program
District of Sechelt- No Condition
- All industries

Heritage Grants Program (HGP)
Government of Manitoba- Minimum amount : 1,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Canadian Agriculture Technology Innovation R&D Partnering Delegation to Brazil
Government of Canada- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Building Communities through Arts and Heritage - Community Anniversaries
Department of Canadian Heritage (LJI)- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- All industries

Small Business Recovery (SBR) Consulting Rebate
Northern Development Initiative Trust (NDIT)- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- Up to 85% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade

Honorific grants 2025 – Entreprendre ici
Ministère de l'économie, de l'innovation et de l'énergie du Québec (MEIE)- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- All industries
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Subventions pour des projets de recherche sur une maladie héréditaire orpheline
Fondation du Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Connecting Communities BC
British Columbia’s Ministry of Citizens’ Services- No Condition
- All industries

Building Communities through Arts and Heritage - Local Festivals
Department of Canadian Heritage (LJI)- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
- All industries

Innovation Fund
Government of Prince Edward Island- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

The Physicians' Services Incorporated Foundation - Health Research Grants
PSI Foundation- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Health care and social assistance

Ontario Research Fund - Research Excellence
Government of Ontario- From $300,000 to $2,000,000
- Up to 33% of project cost
- All industries

CFIN — Foodtech Frontier 25
Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN)- No Condition
- Manufacturing
- Retail trade
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Accommodation and food services

Tourism Product Diversification and Marketing Program — Product Development and Enhancement
Government of the Northwest Territories- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 15% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

MRC Beaharnois-Salaberry — Housing programs
MRC Beauharnois-Salaberry- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- All industries

The Physicians' Services Incorporated Foundation - Resident Research Grants
PSI Foundation- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- Health care and social assistance

Sustainable Food Systems Grants
City of Vancouver- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

New Construction Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency Program
NB Power- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 25% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Wholesale trade

Rain Garden Fund
The Nature Trust of British Columbia (NTBC)- No Condition
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Training Stream
Government of Ontario- No Condition
- Construction
- Manufacturing

BC Tech Growth Programs
BC Tech Association- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries

Val-Saint-François — Eco-responsible fund
Val-Saint-François RCM- From $500 to $5,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Recreation Grant - Operational Funding
City of Whitehorse- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- All industries

Ontario Automotive Modernization Program (O-AMP)
Government of Ontario- Maximum amount : 150,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Manufacturing

Cultural Learning and Sharing (CLS) Grant Program
City of Vancouver- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

OVIN — C/AV and Smart Mobility — Stream 1
Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Transportation and warehousing

Community Development Funds - Mayor's Community Development Fund
Town of Whitby- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- All industries

Musicaction — Musical Showcases – Stream 2 - National Tour
Musicaction- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

FortisBC — Custom Performance Program
FortisBC- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Utilities
- Manufacturing
- Other services (except public administration)

Critical Minerals Innovation Fund
Government of Ontario- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

The Christmas Cheer Foundation
The Eastern Ontario & Western Quebec Christmas Cheer Foundation- No Condition
- Health care and social assistance
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Canada Arts Presentation Fund (CAPF) – Development
Canadian Heritage- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

STEP Program
City of Toronto- No Condition
- Real estate and rental and leasing

Innovative Enterprise Program
Economic Development Pierre-De Saurel (DEPS)- Maximum amount : 38,000 $
- Up to 95% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

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

Lac-Mégantic Economic Assistance Fund (FAELM)
Ministère de l'économie, de l'innovation et de l'énergie du Québec (MEIE)- No Condition
- Manufacturing
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Product Development Partnership Program
Government of Yukon- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Accommodation and food services

Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF)
Canadian Heritage- Up to 50% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Skills Development Fund (SDF) — Capital Stream — GROW Pathway
Government of Ontario- Up to 49% of project cost
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Health care and social assistance

ÉCLO Regional Fund – Stream 1
MRC Lac-Saint-Jean-Est- Up to 75% of project cost
- All industries

Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association - Community Rink Affordability Grant
SPRA- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- All industries

FESBC — 2025-27 Wildfire Risk Reduction Funding
The Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC)- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Public administration

Victims Fund
Government of Canada- No Condition
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Prairieaction Foundation - Education & Awareness Grant Program
Prairie Action Foundation Corporation- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Health care and social assistance

- No Condition
- All industries

Career Development
Creative BC- From $1,000 to $30,000
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Relève Alimentaire Québec Award
Initia Foundation- From $5,000 to $10,000
- Up to 60% of project cost
- Manufacturing
- Accommodation and food services

CleanBC — Go Electric Other Rebates
CleanBC- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Transportation and warehousing
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

The Low Carbon Economy Fund - Implementation Readiness Fund
Government of Canada- No Condition
- Public administration

Family and Community Support Services Grant
County of Grande Prairie No.1- No Condition
- All industries

StART Partnership Program
City of Toronto- Maximum amount : 70,000 $
- All industries

CBDC Entrepreneurial Opportunities Program (EOP)
Community Business Development Corporations (CBDC)- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- All industries

Pinawa Foundation
Pinawa Community Foundation Inc.- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Alberta Innovates — Health Innovation Platform Partnerships Program
Alberta Innovates- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Health care and social assistance

CQRDA — PARTENAR-IA — Business
Centre québécois de recherche et de développement de l’aluminium (CQRDA)- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Construction
- Manufacturing

The Documentary Heritage Communities Program (DHCP)
Library and Archives Canada (LAC)- Maximum amount : 60,000 $
- All industries
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Musicaction — Support for music entrepreneurs and organizations working in Francophone OLMCs
Musicaction- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Up to 90% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

B.C. — Agri-Business Planning Program
Government of British Columbia- From $500 to $22,500
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

Partners for Places Grant
The Funders Network- From $45,000 to $150,000
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Community Workforce Response Grant — Indigenous Communities Stream
Government of British Columbia- From $15,000 to $300,000
- All industries

Rural Growth Initiative - Economic Growth Program
Prince Edward Island Department of Rural and Regional Development- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- All industries

Tourism Growth Program (TGP)
Government of Canada- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 15% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

AFA — Provincial Arts Service Organizations Operating Funding
Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA)- Up to 50% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Rural Growth Initiative - Inclusive Communities Program
Prince Edward Island Department of Rural and Regional Development- Maximum amount : 2,500 $
- All industries

Emerging Talent Awards as part of the 2025 Rendez-vous Génome Québec
Génome Québec- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

First Peoples' Cultural Council - Arts Funding Program
First Peoples' Cultural Foundation- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

AgriStability — Prince Edward Island
Government of Prince Edward Island- Minimum amount : 400 $
- Up to 60% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

ARBJ — Targeted Financing Program (TFP)
Administration régionale Baie-James (ARBJ)- Up to 20% of project cost
- All industries

Firesmart Community Grants Program (FCGP)
Indigenous Services Canada- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Public administration

Wah-ila-toos: Clean Energy Initiatives in Indigenous, rural and remote communities
Government of Canada- No Condition
- Utilities
Nova Scotia’s Community Housing Growth Fund
Community Housing Transformation Centre- No Condition
- All industries

First Peoples' Cultural Council - Language Grants
First Peoples' Cultural Foundation- From $50,000 to $300,000
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Fonds culturel
Ville de Sainte-Julie- No Condition
- All industries

Entreprendre Sherbrooke — Propulsion Fund Sherbrooke
Entreprendre Sherbrooke- From $1,000 to $20,000
- Up to 70% of project cost
- Retail trade
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)

MYAC Youth Fund
City of Sault Ste. Marie- Maximum amount : 500 $
- All industries

CQRDA — Providers-Clients
Centre québécois de recherche et de développement de l’aluminium (CQRDA)- Maximum amount : 2,000,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- Manufacturing

OAC — French-language broadcasting - how it works
Ontario Arts Council (OAC)- Minimum amount : 75,000 $
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Saskatchewan Product Development Program (PDP)
Saskatchewan Food Industry Development Centre- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

Indigenous Labour Market Fund
The New Relationship Trust- Maximum amount : 250,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
- All industries

Alberta Media Fund — Project Script Development Grant
Government of Alberta- Maximum amount : 55,000 $
- Information and cultural industries

Centre for Women in Business
Centre for Women in Business- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Other services (except public administration)