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Grants and Funding for Financial Services in Ontario for 2026

Ontario offers a wide range of government funding programs for financial services organizations, including banks, credit unions, insurers, brokerages, accounting firms, wealth managers, and fintech or insurtech startups. These include grants, tax credits, training subsidies, export support, and R&D or commercialization funding. This directory explains the main options available in 2026, how eligibility works, and how to prepare strong applications aligned with Ontario’s priorities.

28 programs
  • Government of Canada logo
    Other SupportPartnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingOpen

    Build Canada Homes - Investment Policy Framework

    Government of Canada
    Federal support for affordable housing projects
    Eligible Funding
    Varies by project
    Eligible Industries
    Construction, Manufacturing, Finance and insurance, Real estate and rental and leasing
    Types of eligible projects
    Construction and Renovation
    Ontario, Canada
  • Township of Brock logo
    Grant and FundingOpen

    Downtown Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Financial Incentive Grants

    Township of Brock
    Funding for downtown revitalization projects
    Eligible Funding
    From $1,000 to $60,000 · Up to 100% of project cost
    Eligible Industries
    Retail trade, Finance and insurance, Professional, scientific and technical services, Health care and social assistance
    Types of eligible projects
    Construction and Renovation
    Beaverton, Cannington, Sunderland, Ontario
  • Fiera Capital Foundation logo
    Loans and Capital investmentsOpen

    Flow Capital — General Funding

    Fiera Capital Foundation
    Flexible growth capital for high-growth companies
    Eligible Funding
    From $2,000,000 to $10,000,000
    Eligible Industries
    Information and cultural industries, Finance and insurance, Professional, scientific and technical services
    Types of eligible projects
    CommercializationInnovation
    Legal Structure
    For-profit business
    BC, Ontario, Quebec, Canada
  • Ontario Ministry of Finance logo
    Grant and FundingOpen

    Grant funding

    Ontario Ministry of Finance
    Supports financial literacy and sector knowledge projects in Ontario
    Eligible Funding
    Up to 75% of project cost
    Eligible Industries
    Finance and insurance, Educational services
    Types of eligible projects
    Legal Structure
    For-profit business, Non-profit, Public or Parapublic institution
    Ontario, Canada
  • United Communities Credit Union logo
    Partnering and CollaborationGrant and FundingOpen

    Libro Credit Union - Grants & Partnerships

    United Communities Credit Union
    Funding for financial well-being initiatives
    Eligible Funding
    Varies by project
    Eligible Industries
    Finance and insurance, Professional, scientific and technical services, Health care and social assistance, Other services (except public administration)
    Types of eligible projects
    Human Resources
    Legal Structure
    Non-profit
    Ontario, Canada
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  • MaRS Discovery District logo
    Expert AdviceOpen

    MaRS Growth Acceleration Program

    MaRS Discovery District
    Support for executives of scaling, high-growth companies
    Eligible Funding
    Varies by project
    Eligible Industries
    Information and cultural industries, Finance and insurance, Professional, scientific and technical services, Health care and social assistance
    Types of eligible projects
    Innovation
    Legal Structure
    For-profit business
    Ontario, Canada
  • Olympia's Gift Scholarship Fund (OGSF) logo
    Grant and FundingOpen

    Olympia's Gift Scholarship Fund

    Olympia's Gift Scholarship Fund (OGSF)
    Funding for African descent students in business studies
    Eligible Funding
    From $2,500 to $5,000
    Eligible Industries
    Finance and insurance, Professional, scientific and technical services, Educational services
    Types of eligible projects
    Alberta, Ontario, Canada

  • Get grants for financial services in Ontario for your business

    Tell us about your business and project so we can identify relevant funding programs and practical next steps.

  • Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) logo
    Grant and FundingOpen

    Programme des centres d'excellence en commercialisation et en recherche (CECR)

    Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE)
    Supports commercialization and research centres
    Eligible Funding
    Maximum amount : 15,000,000 $ · Up to 50% of project cost
    Eligible Industries
    Manufacturing, Information and cultural industries, Finance and insurance, Professional, scientific and technical services
    Types of eligible projects
    CommercializationInnovation
    Legal Structure
    Non-profit
    Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
  • Platform

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  • Saltire Foundation Canada logo
    Wage Subsidies And InternsOpen

    Saltire Scholars Internship Program

    Saltire Foundation Canada
    Supports a fully funded internship placement
    Eligible Funding
    Varies by project
    Eligible Industries
    Finance and insurance, Professional, scientific and technical services, Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services, Educational services
    Types of eligible projects
    Human Resources
    Legal Structure
    For-profit business
    Ontario, Quebec, Canada
  • Sault College logo
    Grant and FundingOpen

    Sault College — Student Financial Assistance

    Sault College
    Financial support for Sault College students
    Eligible Funding
    From $100 to $5,000
    Eligible Industries
    Construction, Manufacturing, Transportation and warehousing, Information and cultural industries
    Types of eligible projects
    Environment and Climate
    Legal Structure
    Public or Parapublic institution
    Ontario, Canada
  • City of Hamilton logo
    Grant and FundingOpen

    Stormwater Incentive Program

    City of Hamilton
    Stormwater fee and incentive program
    Eligible Funding
    Up to 50% of project cost
    Eligible Industries
    Utilities, Construction, Manufacturing, Wholesale trade
    Types of eligible projects
    Environment and ClimateConstruction and Renovation
    Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
  • Township of Woolwich logo
    Other SupportGrant and FundingOpen

    Township of Woolwich — Grants and Special Assistance

    Township of Woolwich
    Local funding for non-profit community initiatives
    Eligible Funding
    Maximum amount : 10,000 $
    Eligible Industries
    Manufacturing, Retail trade, Transportation and warehousing, Information and cultural industries
    Types of eligible projects
    Construction and Renovation Innovation
    Legal Structure
    Non-profit
    Elmira, Ontario, Canada
  • ventureLAB logo
    Other SupportResearchers And FacilitiesExpert AdviceOpen

    ventureLAB — Accelerate AI

    ventureLAB
    AI acceleration program for startups and scale-ups
    Eligible Funding
    Varies by project
    Eligible Industries
    Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, Construction, Manufacturing, Retail trade
    Types of eligible projects
    CommercializationArtificial Intelligence (AI)InnovationDigital Transformation
    Legal Structure
    For-profit business
    Ontario, Canada

  • Turn funding opportunities for financial services in Ontario into strong applications

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  • Town of Grimsby logo
    Grant and FundingOpenClosing Soon

    Town of Grimsby — Community Funding Programs

    Town of Grimsby
    Supports local businesses and community initiatives
    Eligible Funding
    Varies by project
    Eligible Industries
    Construction, Retail trade, Transportation and warehousing, Finance and insurance
    Timeline
    Open Date : August 4, 2026 · Closing date : October 4, 2026
    Ontario, Canada
  • Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (ON) logo
    Grant and FundingLoans and Capital investmentsClosed

    Strategic Jobs Investment Fund (SJIF)

    Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade (ON)
    Supports high-value job creation and strategic business investments
    Eligible Funding
    Maximum amount : 7,000,000 $
    Eligible Industries
    Manufacturing, Information and cultural industries, Finance and insurance, Health care and social assistance
    Types of eligible projects
    CommercializationTechnologyEnvironment and ClimateHuman ResourcesInnovation
    Legal Structure
    For-profit business
    Ontario, Canada
  • Town of Gravenhurst logo
    Grant and FundingClosed

    Community Improvement Program (CIP) + Camera Reimbursement Pilot

    Town of Gravenhurst
    Funding for Gravenhurst property improvements
    Eligible Funding
    Maximum amount : 30,000 $ · Up to 50% of project cost
    Eligible Industries
    Retail trade, Information and cultural industries, Finance and insurance, Real estate and rental and leasing
    Types of eligible projects
    TechnologyConstruction and Renovation Digital Transformation
    Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada
  • Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev) logo
    Grant and FundingClosed

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

    Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)
    AI adoption support for businesses
    Eligible Funding
    Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $ · Up to 50% of project cost
    Eligible Industries
    Manufacturing, Transportation and warehousing, Finance and insurance, Health care and social assistance
    Types of eligible projects
    CommercializationArtificial Intelligence (AI)Digital Transformation
    Legal Structure
    Non-profit, Public or Parapublic institution, For-profit business
    Ontario, Canada
  • Town of Gravenhurst logo
    Grant and FundingClosed

    Gravenhurst Community Improvement Program (CIP)

    Town of Gravenhurst
    Supports Gravenhurst property improvement projects
    Eligible Funding
    Maximum amount : 20,000 $ · Up to 50% of project cost
    Eligible Industries
    Retail trade, Finance and insurance, Real estate and rental and leasing, Professional, scientific and technical services
    Types of eligible projects
    TechnologyConstruction and Renovation Digital Transformation
    Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada
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  • Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev) logo
    Grant and FundingClosed

    Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in southern Ontario - Pillar 2: AI Adoption

    Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)
    AI adoption support for southern Ontario businesses
    Eligible Funding
    Maximum amount : 5,000,000 $
    Eligible Industries
    Manufacturing, Transportation and warehousing, Finance and insurance, Professional, scientific and technical services
    Types of eligible projects
    Artificial Intelligence (AI)TechnologyDigital Transformation
    Legal Structure
    For-profit business, Non-profit
    Ontario, Canada
  • Town of Bracebridge logo
    Grant and FundingLoans and Capital investmentsClosed

    Town of Bracebridge — Community Improvement Plan

    Town of Bracebridge
    Financial support for property improvement projects
    Eligible Funding
    Maximum amount : 24,000 $ · Up to 100% of project cost
    Eligible Industries
    Construction, Manufacturing, Wholesale trade, Retail trade
    Types of eligible projects
    Environment and ClimateConstruction and Renovation
    Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada
  • Town of Gravenhurst logo
    Grant and FundingClosed

    Town of Gravenhurst Community Improvement Plan – Gravenhurst Urban Area

    Town of Gravenhurst
    Funding for property improvement projects
    Eligible Funding
    Maximum amount : 15,000 $ · Up to 50% of project cost
    Eligible Industries
    Retail trade, Information and cultural industries, Finance and insurance, Real estate and rental and leasing
    Types of eligible projects
    Construction and Renovation Digital Transformation
    Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada

Frequently asked questions about funding for financial services in Ontario

Here are concise answers to common questions about Ontario grants, tax credits, wage subsidies, and innovation programs for financial services organizations.

What grants are available for financial services in Ontario?

Financial services can access non-repayable grants, cost-share funding, wage and training subsidies, export support, and innovation/R&D programs. Common options include digital adoption, cybersecurity, AI/ML pilots, and commercialization grants. Tax credits like SR&ED, OITC, and ORDTC complement grants for software development. Eligibility depends on project scope, budget, and outcomes.

How do I apply for Ontario finance grants and subsidies?

Start by defining a project with clear goals, budget, and timeline. Identify suitable programs, confirm eligibility, and prepare documentation such as quotes, training plans, and compliance evidence. Submit during intake windows and allow time for evaluations. helloDarwin can help structure your application and manage the process end-to-end.

Which tax credits apply to financial software and analytics?

The SR&ED tax credit can support experimental development in algorithms, risk modeling, and fraud detection. Ontario credits such as OITC and ORDTC can complement SR&ED. In some cases, OIDMTC may apply to interactive applications. A combined strategy often reduces after-tax costs significantly.

Are there grants for cybersecurity, privacy, and compliance in finance?

Yes. Programs often fund cybersecurity audits, penetration testing, MFA, zero trust, SOC 2 readiness, PCI DSS remediation, and privacy compliance (PIPEDA). Financial institutions and fintechs can also obtain support for data residency, cloud security, and incident response. Evidence-based risk reduction strengthens applications.

What funding exists for hiring and training in Ontario’s finance sector?

Wage subsidies support new hires, interns, and co-op students in AML, cybersecurity, data analytics, and client services. The Ontario Job Grant can co-fund short courses and certifications for advisors and compliance teams. Training plans linked to job roles and measurable outcomes improve success rates.

How can fintech startups in Toronto or Waterloo fund R&D and commercialization?

Combine IRAP for R&D with SR&ED and Ontario credits, then add innovation vouchers and commercialization grants for pilots and market entry. Explore FedDev Ontario for scale-up and CanExport for U.S. or U.K. expansion. Align milestones with investor and enterprise pilot timelines.

Can credit unions or insurers access digital adoption or CRM/ERP funding?

Yes. Digital adoption programs can co-fund assessments and implementations such as CRM/ERP, e-signature, workflow automation, and client portals. Pair these grants with cybersecurity and privacy streams to strengthen the business case and ensure compliance.

How does helloDarwin help financial services navigate funding?

helloDarwin merges expert consulting with a SaaS platform for discovery, eligibility checks, and application tracking. We map grants, tax credits, and wage subsidies to your roadmap, then manage submissions and claims. This dual-engine model simplifies complexity and improves speed-to-funding.

What makes a strong funding application in the finance sector?

Clear outcomes (productivity, compliance, export), credible KPIs, detailed budgets, and robust governance are essential. Include security architecture, privacy impact assessments, and vendor quotes. Show job creation or skills development when applying for wage or training subsidies.

When should we contact helloDarwin for Ontario finance funding?

Engage early—ideally 6–12 weeks before deadlines—to assess eligibility, plan stacking, and gather documents. helloDarwin can prioritize programs, structure costs, and prepare compliant narratives. Early planning increases approval odds and smooths post‑approval claims.

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