Open
Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant (DSS)
Supports Ontario organizations hiring digital advisors for small businesses
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
The Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant (DSS) funds eligible Ontario BIAs, municipalities and similar organizations to provide training, advisory support and hire local Digital Service Squad members to help brick-and-mortar small businesses adopt digital tools. Eligible expenses include staff salaries/contract fees, limited equipment up to $1,200 per squad member, marketing materials, travel, cell phone costs, PPE and virtual meeting platform fees.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Launch or market a product/service
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Retail trade
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Business Associations
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Municipal
- Regional
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Creation and deployment of local Digital Service Squads to support small, brick-and-mortar businesses with digital adoption.
- Delivery of training and advisory services by Digital Service Squad members to help main street businesses implement digital tools and practices.
- Implementation of outreach initiatives by Digital Service Squads to promote digital services and engage small businesses across participating communities.
- Coordination of multi-community Digital Service Squad activities in outlier or geographically dispersed areas within Ontario.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Local Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) in Ontario
- Municipalities in Ontario
- Chambers of Commerce in Ontario
- Boards of Trade in Ontario
- Small Business Enterprise Centres in Ontario
Who is not eligible
- Small businesses of any type, including brick-and-mortar main street businesses, are not eligible to apply for this grant.
- Existing staff members of the applicant organization cannot be funded through this grant to serve as Digital Service Squad members.
Eligible expenses
- Purchase of equipment for squad members, up to $1,200 per member (e.g. Chromebook or equivalent, 360-degree camera kit including camera, battery pack and tripod, and a mobile hotspot or equivalent up to $200, excluding monthly service costs).
- Printing and distribution of local marketing materials such as postcards and flyers promoting the Digital Service Squad services.
- Travel expenses for squad activities, calculated using the posted provincial mileage rate, for outlier areas or when covering multiple cities.
- Cell phone costs for squad members, up to a maximum of $50 per month.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE), when necessary for squad operations.
- Fees for Zoom or equivalent online meeting/platform services required for squad activities.
- Salaries, wages or contract fees for Digital Service Squad members (with a stated preference for graduate or undergraduate students).
Eligible geographic areas
- Organizations located in Ontario.
Additional information
- The application portal is currently closed because the available grant funds have been exhausted.
- Applicants are directed to consult the Digital Service Squad (DSS) FAQs for further details on applicant criteria, responsibilities, and ineligible costs.
- The grant cannot be used to pay an existing member of the applicant’s team to serve on the Digital Service Squad.
- Travel reimbursement is only mentioned as applicable for outlier areas and for applicants covering multiple cities, based on the posted provincial mileage rate.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant (DSS) Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant (DSS). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant (DSS)?
The Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant (DSS) funds eligible Ontario BIAs, municipalities and similar organizations to provide training, advisory support and hire local Digital Service Squad members to help brick-and-mortar small businesses adopt digital tools. Eligible expenses include staff salaries/contract fees, limited equipment up to $1,200 per squad member, marketing materials, travel, cell phone costs, PPE and virtual meeting platform fees.
Who is eligible for the Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant (DSS) program?
To be eligible for the Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant (DSS) program, you must:
Applicant must be a local BIA located in Ontario.
Or a municipality, chamber of commerce, board of trade or Small Business Enterprise Centre located in Ontario.
Or a collaborative partnership that includes a municipality, chamber of commerce, board of trade and/or Small Business Enterprise Centre.
What expenses are eligible under Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant (DSS)?
Creation and deployment of local Digital Service Squads to support small, brick-and-mortar businesses with digital adoption.
Delivery of training and advisory services by Digital Service Squad members to help main street businesses implement digital tools and practices.
Implementation of outreach initiatives by Digital Service Squads to promote digital services and engage small businesses across participating communities.
Coordination of multi-community Digital Service Squad activities in outlier or geographically dispersed areas within Ontario.
Where is the Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant (DSS) available?
The Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant (DSS) program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant (DSS) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant (DSS) is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant (DSS)?
Digital Main Street – Digital Service Squad Grant (DSS) is funded by Digital Main Street