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.

Enbridge Gas Quebec — Cash incentives – Effective renovation
Enbridge Gas Quebec- No Condition
- Retail trade
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

PlanH - Community Connectedness Grants
BC Healthy Communities, British Columbia Ministry of Health- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Public administration

Child Care Renovation Expansion Grant
Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care Program- Maximum amount : 2,000,000 $
- All industries

Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program — COVID-19 Resilience stream
Government of Canada- Up to 100% of project cost
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Public administration

PlanH - Healthy Public Policy Grants
BC Healthy Communities, British Columbia Ministry of Health- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Health care and social assistance
- Public administration

Building Safer Communities Grant
City of Hamilton- No Condition
- All industries

Indigenous Marine Coordinator Component
Indigenous and Local Communities Engagement and Partnership Program- Maximum amount : 125,000 $
- All industries

MHTP Funding
Government of Manitoba- No Condition
- All industries

Critical Technology Initiatives
Government of Ontario- Maximum amount : 60,000,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Strategic Partnerships Initiative
Government of Canada- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Utilities
- Transportation and warehousing
- Professional, scientific and technical services

SOCAN — Travel Assistance
SOCAN Foundation- Maximum amount : 1,000 $
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
ConnectUp - Standard Grants
Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, Raytheon- No Condition
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance

Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Quality Improvement Projects
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)- No Condition
- All industries

Nova Grants
The Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- All industries

Accelerating Innovations into CarE (AICE) – Tech for Healthy Aging
Alberta Innovates- Maximum amount : 300,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- Health care and social assistance

Southern Fund
Pacific Salmon Commission- No Condition
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Housing & Homelessness Grants
Abbotsford Community Foundation- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 60% of project cost
- All industries

MRC du Golfe-du-Saint-Laurent — Rural Development Fund (FDR)
MRC du Golfe du Saint Laurent- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)

Agriculture Enhancement Grants
Abbotsford Community Foundation- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- All industries

Culture Days Hub Sponsorship
SaskCulture- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- All industries

Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund – Stream 1
Simon Fraser University VentureLabs- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

Indigenous Peoples Partnering for Climate
Partnering for Climate, Global Affairs Canada- Maximum amount : 15,000,000 $
- All industries

Community Spirit Grant
Shannex Incorporated- Maximum amount : 2,500 $
- Health care and social assistance

Knowledge and Technology Transfer Program
Canadian Agricultural Partnership, Government of British Columbia, Government of Canada- No Condition
- All industries

Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta - Lanfine Wind Community Grant Fund
Community Foundation of Medicine Hat and Southeastern Alberta- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- All industries
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Contributions Program for Non-Profit Consumer and Voluntary Organizations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- All industries

Field Law Community Fund
Field Law- No Condition
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)

SportPG Hosting Grant Program
City of Prince George- No Condition
- All industries

Cancer Research for Screening and Prevention Program Fund
Government of Alberta Health, Research and Innovation Branch- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- All industries

Small Grants Competition
Shriners Hospital for Children- Maximum amount : 3,500 $
- Other services (except public administration)

Spotlight Grant
Canadian Women & Sport- From $5,000 to $15,000
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Clean Fuels Awareness Projects
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)- Up to 75% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Construction
- Manufacturing

Community Capacity Building Fund
Orillia Area Community Development Corporation- Maximum amount : 3,000 $
- All industries

Shuswap Community Foundation Grants
Shuswap Community Foundation- No Condition
- All industries
S'Cool Life Fund
S’Cool Life Fund- No Condition
- Educational services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

PRCCM – Stream 1
Gouvernement du Québec- Up to 90% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction

CleanBC Industry Fund - Innovation Accelerator Request for Proposals
Province of British Columbia- Up to 75% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Manufacturing

Community Empowerment for Economic Development (CEED) Program
Trenval Business Development Corporation- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- All industries

Agriculture Research and Innovation — Applied Research (Agricultural Producers)
Government of Prince Edward Island- Maximum amount : 80,000 $
- Up to 35% of project cost
- All industries

CleanBC Industry Fund - Project Feasibility Studies Request for Proposals
Province of British Columbia- Up to 75% of project cost
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Construction
- Manufacturing

Daryl K. Seaman Canadian Hockey Grants
The Calgary Foundation- From $5,000 to $150,000
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Grants for Community Groups
BC Hydro- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- All industries

The Lyle S. Hallman Foundation - Grass Roots Support
The Lyle Shantz Hallman Charitable Foundation, The Lyle S. Hallman Charitable Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

ActivateYYC
Federation of Calgary Communities- From $500 to $5,000
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Oil Spill Response Challenge
Natural Resources Canada, Impact Canada- Maximum amount : 2,000,000 $
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Call for Proposals to Address GBV through Promising Practices and Community-based Research - Stream 2: Community-Based Research
Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE)- Maximum amount : 400,000 $
- All industries

Grassroots - Stepping Stones Grants
The Calgary Foundation- Maximum amount : 1,000 $
- All industries

Gateway Gives
Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited- No Condition
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)

Regional Tourism Grant
Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry- From $2,500 to $5,000
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Enbridge Gas Quebec — Cash incentives – Dishwasher Energy Star
Enbridge Gas Quebec- From $1,400 to $3,060
- Accommodation and food services
Find tailored funding for your business
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Skills for Success - Research and Innovation Stream
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)- Maximum amount : 7,500,000 $
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Major Grants
The Calgary Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

We Care We Share
ICICI Bank Canada- No Condition
- Health care and social assistance

Grocery Grants
MAZON Canada- From $2,000 to $5,000
- All industries

OCI — Ready 4 Market (R4M)
Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)- From $500,000 to $250,000
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance

Bass Pro Shops
Cabela's, White River, Big Cedar Lodge- No Condition
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)

Skills for Success - Training and Tools Stream
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)- Maximum amount : 10,000,000 $
- Educational services

Heritage Grant Program
City of Toronto- No Condition
- All industries

Elite Wealth Management Foundation
Canada Gives Foundation #CG0939- No Condition
- All industries

Bell Canada - Bell Let's Talk Diversity Fund
BCE- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- All industries

Tourism PEI Festivals and Events Fund
Prince Edward Island Department of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture (TPEI)- From $1,000 to $2,500
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Accommodation and food services

Mitsubishi Corporation Foundation for the Americas
Mitsubishi Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

Indigenous Participation Fund - Values mapping and related projects stream
Ontario Ministry of Energy and Mines- No Condition
- All industries

Community Generator Program
Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage- Maximum amount : 50 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- All industries

Dragonfly Fund
Dragonfly Ventures- No Condition
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services

Supports for Newcomer Integration Grants
Government of Alberta- No Condition
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)

Bell Canada - Bell Let's Talk Community Mental Health Fund
BCE- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- All industries

RDN Grants - Oceanside Recreation Services Grant
Regional District of Nanaimo- No Condition
- All industries

OTF — Youth Innovations Test Grant
Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 15% of project cost
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

Disasters Response Grant
International Fund for Animal Welfare- No Condition
- Other services (except public administration)

Nation Rebuilding Program
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)- No Condition
- Public administration

Indigenous Participation Fund - Mining conferences funding stream
Ontario Ministry of Energy and Mines- No Condition
- All industries

Bell Canada - Bell True Patriot Love Fund
BCE- From $5,000 to $75,000
- All industries
Programme de subvention pour l’amélioration du bien-être animal
De Main De Maître- No Condition
- Other services (except public administration)

Impact Canada - Deep Space Food Challenge
Canadian Agricultural Partnership, Government of British Columbia, Government of Canada- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Professional, scientific and technical services
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Ottawa Community Foundation - Support for Urgent & Emerging Needs
Community Foundation of Ottawa (OCF)- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- All industries

Documentary Heritage Communities Program (DHCP)
Library and Archives Canada (LAC)- From $24,999 to $150,000
- Up to 100% of project cost
- Information and cultural industries

Impact Canada - Food Waste Reduction Challenge: Novel Technologies (Streams C and D)
Canadian Agricultural Partnership, Government of British Columbia, Government of Canada- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
- Accommodation and food services

Quality of Life Granting Program
Saskatoon Community Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

The Lyle S. Hallman Foundation - Children and Youth Capital
The Lyle Shantz Hallman Charitable Foundation, The Lyle S. Hallman Charitable Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

Lehigh Hanson Cares
Lehigh Hanson- No Condition
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- All industries

Impact Canada - Housing Supply Challenge: Round 2 - Getting Started
Canadian Agricultural Partnership, Government of British Columbia, Government of Canada- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Real estate and rental and leasing

Miggsie Fund
The Lawson Foundation (BJLFF)- Maximum amount : 45,000 $
- All industries

Community Involvement Program
Kawartha Credit Union- From $1,000 to $5,000
- All industries

Casino Rama Cares Community Program
Casino Rama- No Condition
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)

Great Lakes Protection Initiative
Great Lakes Sustainability Fund, Environment Canada- No Condition
- Public administration

Climate Change Adaptation Program
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)- No Condition
- All industries

Agency Capacity Building Grant
City of Red Deer- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- All industries

United Way Winnipeg - Youth United
United Way of Winnipeg- No Condition
- All industries

FCSS Grant Program
Saddle Hills County- No Condition
- All industries

Safer and Vital Communities Grant
Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General- No Condition
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration

2023 Call for Proposals
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)- Maximum amount : 8,000,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Construction

Youth Investment Fund
Yukon Department of Arts and Culture- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- All industries

Sector Development Partnership Grants
Indigenous Screen Office (ISO)- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- Information and cultural industries
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Guelph-Wellington Community Agriculture Challenge
Our Food Future Guelph-Wellington, City of Guelph- Maximum amount : 2,000 $
- All industries

CMHC - Affordable Housing Fund - Repair and Renewal
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)- No Condition
- All industries

Community Vitality Grant
London Community Foundation (LCF)- From $50,000 to $350,000
- All industries

Ottawa Rural Clean Water Grants Program (ORCWGP)
City of Ottawa- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- All industries

Workplace Sexual Harassment
Federal Department of Justice- Maximum amount : 375,000 $
- Accommodation and food services
- Other services (except public administration)