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.

Community Sponsorship Grants

Community Foundation of Central Alberta - Olds Legacy Fund

Retail Grants Program

Sleeman Better Water Grants

Annual Grants Program


IEN-WMAN Mining Mini-Grant Program

Canada Fund for Local Initiatives

International Grants

Research & Environment

Vital Grants



The United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery

Youth Justice Fund

Canadian Experiences Fund - Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD)

Canadian Experiences Fund - Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)

Metcalf Foundation - Innovation Fellowship

First responders’ mental health grants - Stream 2: applied research

Major Community Initiatives and Events Grant

Child Care Operating Funding (CCOF) - Base Funding
Community Needs Grants 2024

Canada Foundation for Innovation - College Fund


Community Crisis Response Fund
Discover how much grant funding is available for your business
Subsidize your projects with grants!
Use our free grant estimator to quickly identify the available grant amounts for which your company may be eligible.

Foreign Credential Recognition Program

Community-Based Justice Fund (Indigenous Justice Strategy)


Advancing Agri-Food Processing

Rural Growth Initiative - Community Capacity Building Program

Knowledge Sharing and Mobilization (KSM) Grant

Ontario Power Generation - Province-wide Empowerment Grant Program

Build Strong

Registered Heritage Structure Revitalization Grant


Stephen and Michelene Worobetz Foundation Grants

CPKC Has Heart Community Fund
Corporate Sponsorships and Donations

Contributions to Canada Healthcare Organizations

Exchanges Canada Program - Youth Exchanges Canada

Museum Grant Program

United Way Greater Toronto - Jane Finch Community Action Grants

BMO Gives

Community Funding Program - Project Funding

Tourism, Culture and Sport Enhancement Fund

Anti-Racism Impact Grant

International Development Grants

Canada Cultural Investment Fund - Limited Support to Endangered Arts Organizations

GTA Community Grants Program

Museums Assistance Program - Access to Heritage
Find tailored funding for your business
Discover more grants on the helloDarwin platform
Look through over 4,000 grants, tax credits, loans and more financial aid on the helloDarwin application.

Metcalf Foundation - Performing Arts Program: Strategic Experimentation Fund

Museums Assistance Program - Canada-France Agreement

Rural Community Building Grants


Community Change Grants

Heritage Preservation Partnership Program - Heritage Awareness Grants

Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (OCAF)

BC Conservation and Biodiversity Awards

Alberta Conservation Association - Minister’s Special Licence (MSL) Resident Draw Grants

Alberta Conservation Association - ACA Research Grants

Community Investment Grants

Stark Family Fund

Community Action Initiative (CAI) - Community Counselling Grants

Community Action Initiative (CAI) - Gathering Our Voices: Northern Indigenous Communities Convening Grant

Community Action Initiative (CAI) - Capacity Building Grant for First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and Urban Indigenous led Bed-based Treatment and Recovery Operators

Weston Family Foundation - Rapid Response Program

Indigenous Arts & Culture Fund

Weston Family Foundation - Northern Conservation Program

Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Communities Program

International Sustainable Development Program

Resident Directed (ReDi) Grants

Major arts, cultural festivals, agricultural fairs programs - Fairs Program

Future Generations Foundation

Emergency Response Grants

School’s Out Summer
Access over 10 000 different funding opportunities
Try the helloDarwin platform today and find programs that fit your needs
The helloDarwin application makes it easy to unlock grants so your business can grow faster—with less hassle and more impact.

Lotteries Yukon Funding Programs - Funding for Communities

Transforming Systems Grant

Mi'kmaq Arts Program

Arts Equity Funding Initiative

Strategic Opportunity Grants

Niagara Falls Cultural Development Fund

Environment Grants

Toronto Foundation - Call for Applications: Black and Indigenous Futures Fund

Climate + Health Excellence (CHEX) Centers

Arts Across Canada and Abroad

Operating Assistance

Community Initiatives Fund - Community Grant Program

Port of Vancouver - Community Grants

Rail Safety Improvement Program - Infrastructure, Technology and Research (ITR)

Canadian Experiences Fund - Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor)

Elevating Voices Grant

Rural Economic Development program — Strategic Economic Infrastructure Stream

Arts Funding Program - IDEA Grants

Mississauga Foundation - Smart and Caring Children and Youth

Waterloo Region International Plowing Match Fund Grants

Beem Foundation
Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund - Grants

Farm Credit Canada - FCC Community Funding

Weston Family Foundation - Prairie Grasslands Initiative
