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.

Access to Justice Fund
The Law Foundation of Ontario- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- All industries

Aboriginal Business Contribution Program (ABCP)
Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF)- Maximum amount : 249,999 $
- All industries

Public Interest Articling Fellowship
The Law Foundation of Ontario- From $69,500 to $69,500
- Up to 100% of project cost
- All industries

The Waterloo Region Record - Lyle S. Hallman Foundation Kids to Camp Fund
Waterloo Region Community Foundation- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- All industries

Community Investment Program - Community Hub Development Fund
Region of Peel- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- All industries

Vermilion Ways of Caring
Vermilion Energy Inc.- No Condition
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)

Indigenous Youth & Community Futures Fund (IYCFF)
Laidlaw Foundation- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- All industries

Peacebuilding Program
Rockefeller Brothers Fund- No Condition
- All industries

ViaSport - Rally Together Fund: Sport Participation Grant
BC Sport Agency- No Condition
- All industries

Community Investment Program - Interim Emergency Food Security Fund
Region of Peel- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Finance and insurance

Sponsorships & Donation Requests
Westland Insurance- No Condition
- All industries

Francophone Community Grants Program - Economic Development Stream
Ontario Ministry of Francophone Affairs- Maximum amount : 50 $
- All industries

Community Investment Program - Change Fund
Region of Peel- No Condition
- All industries

Community Arts Programming Grant
ArtReach- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- All industries

ViaSport - BC Ferries Disability Sport Experience Program
BC Sport Agency- No Condition
- All industries

Inter Pipeline Cares (iCare) Fund
Inter Pipeline Ltd. (IPL)- No Condition
- All industries

Amplifying Communities Initiative
Westland Insurance- No Condition
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)

Impact Challenge
The Sonor Foundation- From $100,000 to $300,000
- All industries

- From $180,000 to $180,000
- All industries

MLSE Foundation - Community Action Grants
MLSE Team Up Foundation- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- All industries

ViaSport - BC Sport Participation Program: Community Sport Program Development Fund
BC Sport Agency- From $1,000 to $3,000
- All industries

Community Investment Program - Revolving Capital Loan
Region of Peel- No Condition
- All industries

Global Programmes - Disaster Risk Reduction
Swiss Re Foundation- No Condition
- Public administration

Young Canada Works - Employment Programs
Department of Canadian Heritage (LJI)- No Condition
- All industries

Global Programmes - Capacity Building
Swiss Re Foundation- No Condition
- All industries
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.

Community Investment Program - Circular Economy Initiatives Fund
Region of Peel- From $5,000 to $25,000
- All industries

Global Programmes - Research & Innovation
Swiss Re Foundation- No Condition
- Professional, scientific and technical services
Community Board Grants
TELUS Friendly Future Foundation (TELUS)- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- All industries

Community Foundation of Central Alberta - Volunteer Central Legacy Grant
The Red Deer & District Community Foundation- Minimum amount : 500 $
- All industries

Strengthening the Charitable Sector
The Muttart Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities Program
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)- No Condition
- All industries

Global Programmes - Social Entrepreneurship
Swiss Re Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

Community Action Initiative (CAI) - Rural, Remote & Indigenous Overdose Grants
Province of British Columbia- No Condition
- All industries

Affordable Housing NOW
City of Winnipeg- Maximum amount : 30,000,000 $
- All industries

United Way East Ontario - School Food Infrastructure Fund
United Way/Centraide Ottawa- No Condition
- All industries

Global Programmes - Emergency Aid
Swiss Re Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

Mississauga Foundation - Pendle Fund
The Community Foundation of Mississauga- Maximum amount : 30,000 $
- All industries

Community Foundation of Central Alberta - Women & Girls Fund
The Red Deer & District Community Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

Community Wellness Grant
Vancouver Island Health Authority, Island Health- Maximum amount : 12,000 $
- All industries

Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program (SIP)
Public Safety Canada (PSC)- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Communities - Americas, Local Charity of the Year
Swiss Re Foundation- No Condition
- Other services (except public administration)

Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program - National Holocaust Remembrance Program
Department of Canadian Heritage (LJI)- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- All industries

Community Recreation Capital Grant
Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- All industries

Community Sponsorship Grants
Columbia Power- No Condition
- All industries

Corporate Grants Program
Patagonia- From $5,000 to $20,000
- Other services (except public administration)

Community Foundation of Central Alberta - Sylvan Lake Community Endowment Fund Grant
The Red Deer & District Community Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

SFI Community Grants
Sustainable Forestry Initiative- From $5,000 to $10,000
- All industries

Step Up for Mental Health Fund
Saskatoon Community Foundation- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- All industries

Community Foundation of Central Alberta - Olds Legacy Fund
The Red Deer & District Community Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

Retail Grants Program
Patagonia- From $5,000 to $20,000
- Other services (except public administration)
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.

The Moez & Marissa Kassam Equity Fund
Moez & Marissa Kassam Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

Charity Alive Fund
Sisters of Charity Mount Saint Vincent- No Condition
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Other services (except public administration)

Sleeman Better Water Grants
The Guelph Community Foundation- Maximum amount : 40,000 $
- All industries

Invest Ottawa Scale-Up Platform
Invest Ottawa- No Condition
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services

AccèsLogis Québec
Société d'habitation du Québec- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

Foundation Prizes
Desjardins Foundation- Maximum amount : 3,000 $
- Educational services

Annual Grants Program
Motorola Foundation- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- All industries

NovaScience Program - Call for projects supporting employment in research and innovation
Quebec Ministry of Economics and Innovation- No Condition
- All industries

Youth & Education Grant
Clayoquot Biosphere Trust Society- Maximum amount : 6,000 $
- Educational services

Women's Collective Philanthropy Program (WCPP)
The Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation- From $4,000 to $4,000
- All industries

NovaScience Program - Call for projects in scientific culture and innovation
Quebec Ministry of Economics and Innovation- Maximum amount : 200,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
- All industries

Canada Fund for Local Initiatives
Global Affairs Canada (GAC)- No Condition
- All industries

Nutrien Building Stronger Communities Together
Saskatoon Community Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

IEN-WMAN Mining Mini-Grant Program
Western Mining Action Network- Maximum amount : 4,000 $
- All industries

Seeds of Hope Granting Program
The United Church of Canada Foundation (UCCF)- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

International Grants
Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD)- From $3,000 to $20,000
- All industries

Mécénat Placements Culture
Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
- All industries

Research & Environment
Clayoquot Biosphere Trust Society- Maximum amount : 6,000 $
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Norman Lesh Philanthropy Award
The Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation- From $10,000 to $10,000
- All industries

CIRA Net Good Grants
Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA)- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- All industries

AgriRisk Initiatives: Administrative Capacity Building Stream
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)- No Condition
- All industries

Appel de projets pour l'invitation à des diffuseurs et programmateurs hors Québec
Ministère de la Culture et des Communications du Québec- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- All industries

Vital Grants
Clayoquot Biosphere Trust Society- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- All industries

Strengthening our Community Fund
United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick Region Inc- No Condition
- All industries

Marian Hebb Research Grant
Access Copyright Foundation- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- All industries
Access over 4000 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.

Nunavummi Nangminiqaqtunik Ikajuuti Procurement
Government of Nunavut- Up to 5% of project cost
- All industries

Biosphere Research Award
Clayoquot Biosphere Trust Society- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Professional, scientific and technical services

Professional cultural organizations - Soutien aux projets ville de littérature UNESCO
Quebec City- No Condition
- All industries

Programme d'appui à la francophonie canadienne
Secrétariat du Québec aux relations canadiennes (SQRC)- Maximum amount : 20,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
- All industries

BOLT Grant Program
Internet Society Foundation- Maximum amount : 300,000 $
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
- Utilities
- Construction

- No Condition
- All industries

Programme de subventions aux entreprises adaptées
Emploi Québec; Ministère du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale- No Condition
- All industries

The Gordon Foundation
Walter and Duncan Gordon Charitable Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

The United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery
United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights- No Condition
- All industries

Canadian Experiences Fund - Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)- From $5,000 to $1,000,000
- All industries

Equity through Diverse Impact (EDI) Grant
The Ottawa 67's Foundation- Maximum amount : 25,000 $
- Arts, entertainment and recreation

Youth Justice Fund
Federal Department of Justice- Maximum amount : 1,000,000 $
- Up to 100% of project cost
- All industries

Canadian Experiences Fund - Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD)
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- All industries

United Way Central Alberta - Project Grants
United Way of Central Alberta Society- Maximum amount : 7,500 $
- Health care and social assistance

Action for Women’s Health
Pivotal Philanthropies Foundation- From $1,000,000 to $5,000,000
- All industries

Professional Development Grant
Access Copyright Foundation- Maximum amount : 3,000 $
- All industries

Canada - Manitoba Job Grant
Government of Manitoba- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 75% of project cost
- All industries

United Way Central Alberta - Professional Development Grants
United Way of Central Alberta Society- Maximum amount : 500 $
- Health care and social assistance

Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership in New Brunswick
Government of New Brunswick- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 25% of project cost
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing

Canadian Experiences Fund - Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED)- Maximum amount : 58,500,000 $
- All industries

United Way Central Alberta - Capital and Equipment Grants
United Way of Central Alberta Society- Maximum amount : 500 $
- Health care and social assistance

Community, Youth and Cultural Funding Program - Sustaining Grants
City of Thunder Bay- No Condition
- All industries

First responders’ mental health grants - Stream 2: applied research
Alberta Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Trade- Maximum amount : 1,500,000 $
- All industries

Metcalf Foundation - Innovation Fellowship
The George Cedric Metcalf Charitable Foundation- No Condition
- All industries

Nanaimo Foundation - Book of Giving Opportunities
Nanaimo Community Foundation- From $500 to $50,000
- All industries