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.

AFA — Artists and Education Funding

Heritage Preservation Partnership Program - Research Grants

EJ4Climate: Environmental Justice and Climate Resilience

Social Enterprise Research Grants

Fonds local d’investissement

Community Donations

Musicaction — Musical Showcases – Stream 3 - National Showcase and Tour


Accelerating Innovations into CarE (AICE) – Market Access

Capital project: Retrofit of existing municipal buildings

Increasing Deadstock Capacity Initiative


Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)


Protecting habitats

Business Façade Development Program

Art and Culture Grants

PacifiCan — Jobs and Growth Fund — Not-for-profit

Non-Competitive Grants

Thriving Indigenous Systems Fund (TISF)

Museums Assistance Program — Indigenous Heritage

Community Enhancement Program — Broadband and Cellular Expansion Projects

Calgary Flames Foundation - Community Grant Program

SODEC — Assistance for businesses in the arts and crafts sector — Stream 4

Manitoba — First Jobs Fund
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Shine Across Canada and Internationally

CBDC Self Employment Benefit Program

Fonds Développement La Mitis - Regional Fund

Social Development Fund of the City of Trois-Rivières

Canada Arts Presentation Fund (CAPF) — Programming: Presenter Support Organizations

Resilient Communities Fund

Beneficial Management Practices (BMP)

Childcare Enhancement Grant program

Creating, Knowing and Sharing — Small-Scale Activities

Strategic Funds - Media Arts Equipment Acquisition Fund

Alberta Innovates — Energy Storage and Minerals

Civil Forfeiture Grant Program - Gender-Based Violence

City Grant Program - Health, Social and Safety

Career-Ready with CTMA — Expanding Opportunities

British Columbia Arts Council Funding

Main Street Revitalization – Planning Program

Self-Employment Program (Nova Scotia)


Limestone Trucking Assistance Program

Cultural industries — Financial assistance

Community Workforce Response Grant — Community Response Stream

ArtStarts in Schools Society - Artists in the Classroom (AIC) Grants for Schools

United Way Hastings & Prince Edward Inc. - Community Impact Fund

Private Archives Support Program

New Mobility Assistance Program (NOMO) – Stream 1
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Look through over 4,000 grants, tax credits, loans and more financial aid on the helloDarwin application.

The Community Foundation of Prince Edward Island - PCU Impact Fund

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

Tourisme Côte-Nord — EPRTNT – Structuring the tourism offer

Invest Nova Scotia — Acceleration Initiatives

Financial assistance program for regional service units in the areas of recreation, sports, outdoor activities, and physical activity (PAFURS)

AgriCommunication Program

2023 Open Call: Automation, Digital Technologies, and Demonstration in Agri-Food Production

Become a Partner Agency

Agriculture Research and Innovation — Applied Research (Agriculture Industry Associations)


Nutrition North Canada retail subsidy program

ALS Society of Canada - ALS Canada Project Grant Program
Improving Equity in Access to Palliative Care Cohort 2 Call for Applications
Strengthening Primary Care in Northern, Rural and Remote Communities

Canada Digital Adoption Program — Grow Your Business Online

First Peoples Economic Growth Fund – Business Plan Assistance
Right Care Challenge
Enhancing Integrated Care


Archaeology and Palaeontology Research Support

Enbridge Gas Quebec — Cash incentives – Hood & Condensing Air Generator Combo

Agricultural Climate Solutions

The Norfolk Community Foundation

School Food Grants
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My First Games

Support program for economic development projects (PAPDE) — Component 3 : Promotion of foreign trade and prospecting for foreign investments

Heritage Core Funding

Music Company

Efficiency Nova Scotia — Pay-for-Performance (P4P)

Nunavut Toponomy Program

Community Radio Grant

CanNor Jobs and Growth Fund — For-profit

Public Library Services


Culture and Heritage (Schedule B)


ESM — Digital Acceleration

Edmonton Arts Council - Invent & Adapt

Toronto Commercial Space Rehabilitation Grant Program

Health Effects of Ultra-Processed Foods

Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative : Stream 2 – Agri-Tech Innovation

Indigenous Cannabis Business Fund — Business Planning, Design, and Capital

Buy BC Partnership Program — Industry Associations, Boards or Councils

i.d.e.a. Fund

Cultural Communications Program

Edmonton Arts Council - Equity and Access in the Arts

Agriculture Demonstration of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) — Producers

Edmonton Arts Council - Operating & Programming Investments
