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.

Good Neighbour Program

Save Energy Grants

Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change Program

MRC Charlevoix-Est — Business Support

EV ChargeON Program

MRC Kamouraska — Support Program for the Start-up of Religious Heritage Projects


Manitoba Council for International Cooperation Inc. - Theme Fund

La Pocatière – Business Financial Assistance Program

Agri-Food Supply Chain Infrastructure Investment Stream

Universal Broadband Fund — Rapid Response Stream

Edmonton Arts Council - Grants for Individuals and Collectives

OAC — Ontario Arts Presenters Projects

STIP — Local Road Bridge Program

BDC Capital — Intellectual Property-Backed Financing

Infrastructure de recherche et développement

OAC — Multi and Inter-Arts Projects

Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program — CleanBC Communities Fund

Food Processing Growth Fund (FPG)

Mobilize Grant - Truth & Action



Quebec International — Selling and Exporting — Set your sights on the world

Recruitment, Retention and Innovative Skills

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Spark Funds

Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP)

Agriculture Research and Innovation — Applied Research (Agricultural Producers)

Recreation & Sports Funding


Women in Skilled Trades Initiative

Dragonfly Fund

Brian Bronfman Family Foundation

AFA — Film and Video Arts Scholarship


CMF — Prototyping Program

Musicaction — Support for Indigenous Entrepreneurs

Events & Festivals Fund

Official Languages Economic Development Initiative in Quebec — Not-for-profit


MRC Deux-Montagnes— Regional and Rural Fund (FRR) – Stream 2

Support program for organizations working with people experiencing homelessness

Na-mi-quai-ni-mak Community Support Fund

Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association - Parks for All Action Grant

New Mobility Assistance Program (NOMO) – Stream 2

Energy Innovation Program — Clean Fuels Call for Proposals

Northern Indigenous Economic Opportunities Program — Community Readiness and Opportunities Planning

SODEC — Production support

Agriculture Development Fund

Food Product Development Assistance
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BDIC — Standby Letters of Credit

Multi-Species Research and Development Fund

ERACM program - Business support: assistance and financing

Digital Strategy Fund

Canada Book Fund Publishers Business Development — Business Planning — Aboriginal or Official Language Minority Firms


Poultry Biosecurity Preparedness Initiative (PBPI)

Culture and Heritage Grants and Contributions Program - Heritage Core Funding



Climate Innovation Grant Program

Affordable Housing Renovation Program

Development of Official-Language Communities Program (Official Languages Support Programs) - Infrastructure Projects

MRC Brome-Missisquoi — Residential Adaptation Assistance Program (RAAP)

CME’s Technology Investment Program

Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP)

Whalesafe Gear Adoption Fund

thriveFORWARD

Musicaction — Musical Showcases – Stream 2 - National Tour

CleanBC — Custom-Lite Program

APCHQ Mauricie-Lanaudière Golf Tournament


AgriAssurance Program — Kosher and Halal Investment – For-profit

Genome Funding Opportunities

ID Gatineau — Local Fund
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ALS Society of Canada - ALS Canada-Brain Canada Discovery Grant Program

Demo Recording

Emissions Performance Standards program

OTF — System Innovations Grant

The Amir and Yasmin Virani Family Foundation

SMART Cluster’s 8th call for proposals – advanced manufacturing


Enhancement of Official Languages Program - Promotion of Linguistic Duality Component - Support for Interpretation and Translation

Multi-Year Grants

Agri-Food Energy Cost Savings Initiative

Financial assistance — Ecocharge

CleanBC — Commercial Vehicle Pilots Program

Tourism Development Fund (TDF)

Medium to Large-Scale Festivals Program

Emerging Innovators Challenge

Efficiency Nova Scotia — Custom Energy Retrofits

ArtStarts in Schools Society - Artists in Education (AIE) Grants for School Districts

Professional cultural organizations - Outdoor exhibitions

OTF — Family Innovations Scale Grant

Conversion of natural gas heating to dual-energy

FedDev — Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative – Adoption Pillar 2 – Businesses

Pierre Péladeau Scholarships


AgriMarketing Program — National Industry Associations
