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.

Environmental Legacy Grants


Economic Development Organization Operating Support Program (PAFODE) — Component 2 : Operating support for organizations supporting strategic sectors and regional economic development



Arts Management Systems Funding


Community Safety Fund

United Way Winnipeg - Organizational Development Grants

Community Relations and Partnerships

Community Development Fund

Alberta Innovates — Water Innovation Program


CMHC - Affordable Housing Fund - Black-led Organizations

PacifiCan — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation — Regional Innovation Ecosystems

Disaster Financial Assistance Program — Non-profits

Social economy support program (PSES) – Stream 2

Arts Leadership Residency Funding

Sponsorship or Donation Requests

AFA — Queen's Platinum Jubilee Scholarship for Visual Arts

Market Opportunities and Diversification Program

Export Funding NB

OTF — Seed Grant

United Way Central Alberta - Professional Development Grants

United Way Central Alberta - Capital and Equipment Grants
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La Ruche — ImpACTE Fund

PacifiCan — Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative — Indigenous Stream

Research Grants on Education: Large

Arts Funding Program - Operating Grants


Business Energy Rebates
Catalyst and Transformation Fund

Canada Community Security Program (CCSP)
TD Bank Group - Corporate Donations and Sponsorships

City Grant Program - Parks, Recreation and Community Events

Aboriginal Business Investment Fund

Community Priorities Grants

Innovation Guelph — Rhyze Up! Program

Community Impact Grants

Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) - Capacity Building (Business Development)

South Saskatchewan Vital Community Fund


OAC — Francophone arts service organizations – operations

Value-adding Equipment Program

Support Policy For Businesses

Grants, Giving & Corporate Sponsorship Support


Support for festivals in the Greater Montréal region

Gen AI Call for Projects

Ontario Creates Industry Development Program
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Look through over 4,000 grants, tax credits, loans and more financial aid on the helloDarwin application.

Taylor Taliesin Foundation

Revitalising and developing business establishments in the city centre

Environmental Initiatives Grant

Kay Stafford Memorial Fund Community Grant


Research Funding Programs

AlectraCARES Community Support Program

Adoption and Permanency Fund

Indigenous Intellectual Property Program Grant — Small scale initiative stream

CMF — Regional Production Funding


Youth Climate Action Fund

Évolution-Compétences - Professional Norms Component

Arts and Culture Grant

The Temiskaming Foundation - Englehart & Area Community Fund Grant

CFI — John R. Evans Leaders Fund (JELF)

Community Investment Program - Community Impact Grant

Metcalf Foundation - Environment Program: Carbon Landscapes



CanNor Jobs and Growth Fund — Not-for-Profit


Canada Book Fund Support for Organizations — For-Profit

Supported Employment

Saskatchewan Arts Board Grants
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Small Business Support Program — Sustainable Livelihood Fund

Canadian Experiences Fund - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

Mineral Exploration Support Program For Critical And Strategic Minerals

Sector development program

Alberta — Efficient Grain Handling Program

Web Presence Assistance

Regional partnership and digital transformation agreement for tourism 2022-2025 – Attractions, activities and facilities


Outdoor Recreation Fund

Program to support the processing of end-of-life tires through reuse, recycling and energy recovery, as well as out-of-province processing.

Tremplin Grant – Indigenous Arts

Canada Music Fund - New Musical Works Component

Social Development Partnerships Program - Disability Component (SDPP-D) - Organizational Capacity Development Stream


Northwest Territories Arts Council Funding

Enabling Agricultural Research and Innovation

ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund

Beach Infrastructure Program

Tourisme Baie-James — EPRTNT – Hosting

OTF — Grow Grant

Community Futures Manitoba — Indigenous Business Development Services

Alberta Innovates — Product Demonstration Program

Appel à projets pour les artistes et organismes artistiques en Outaouais

Alberta Innovates — Bitumen Beyond Combustion (BBC) Program
