Open
Source verified July 16, 2026
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities
Funding for non-profit organizations in York Region
Funding available
$ 10,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Opened July 16, 2026
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply
Not-for-profit organizations based in York Region, or non-profit organizations whose proposed activities take place in, or benefit, York Region.
See full eligibility
Overview
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund supports not-for-profit organizations in York Region that deliver programs and services for underrepresented communities and advance innovation. Eligible projects can run for up to 10 months and may support workshops, community outreach, and digitizing communities, with matching funds required.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Optimize production processes
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Newcomers to Canada
- Other Racialized Persons
- 2SLGBTQI+
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- New immigrants & refugees
- People with disabilities
- Women & girls
- LGBTQ+ community
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Regional
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Information and knowledge dissemination through workshops to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among underrepresented communities.
- Community outreach and engagement initiatives designed to enhance inclusion, diversity, and accessibility.
- Projects focused on digitizing communities to improve participation and access.
- Development and implementation of Agri-tech or Cleantech solutions supporting sustainability in areas such as precision agriculture, robotics, AI in agriculture, vertical farming, food automation, ecosystem sustainability, decarbonization, and electric vehicles.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Not-for-profit organizations based in York Region, or non-profit organizations whose proposed activities take place in, or benefit, York Region.
Who is not eligible
- Previously funded recipients are not eligible for two consecutive rounds of funding.
Eligible expenses
- Costs related to information and knowledge dissemination through workshops.
- Expenses for community outreach and engagement activities.
- Investments in digitizing communities and related digital transformation initiatives.
Eligible geographic areas
- York Region
Selection criteria
- Community impact and economic benefits for, in part, York Region.
- Organizational capacity and governance.
- Collaborative innovation, i.e. are you collaborating with other regional partners for this project.
- Diversity, equity and inclusion, i.e. how are you meeting the needs of underrepresented communities.
- Clarity and completeness of the project application.
How to apply
- Step 1: Review Application Requirements
- Read all application guidelines for your eligible stream (e.g., non-profits or entrepreneurs/agri-tech and cleantech solutions).
- Prepare necessary supporting documents (e.g., project work plan, proposed budget, most recent financial statements for non-profits; company pitch deck for small businesses).
- Step 2: Complete Application Form
- Fill out the application form thoroughly, ensuring all required fields and sections are addressed.
- Ensure the application includes all required attachments as specified for your applicant type.
- Step 3: Submit Application
- Submit the completed application form along with all supporting documentation through the designated process provided by ventureLAB (specific submission platform or method to be confirmed by fund guidelines).
- Ensure the application is submitted before the posted deadline.
- Step 4: Review and Evaluation
- A Review Committee comprised of ventureLAB, Regional Staff, and innovation stakeholders will assess submitted applications based on defined evaluation criteria.
- Step 5: Notification of Results
- Applicants are notified whether they have been selected to receive funding.
- Both winners and non-winners are contacted following the review process.
- Step 6: Funding Agreement and Disbursement
- Successful applicants sign a Funding Agreement.
- Funds are disbursed within 30 business days following the signing of the agreement.
- Step 7: Final Project Reporting
- Upon project completion, recipients must submit a Final Project Report detailing outcomes.
Processing and Agreement
- A Review Committee comprised of ventureLAB, Regional Staff and key innovation stakeholders will evaluate the applications.
- Funds are disbursed after the signing of the Funding Agreement, within 30 business days.
- Fund recipients are asked to demonstrate project completion by submitting a Final Project Report.
Additional information
- Applications are now closed.
Other components of this program
Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.
- York Region Entrepreneurship and Innovation FundFunding for Agri-tech and cleantech innovators
Frequently Asked Questions about the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities Program
What is the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities?
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund supports not-for-profit organizations in York Region that deliver programs and services for underrepresented communities and advance innovation. Eligible projects can run for up to 10 months and may support workshops, community outreach, and digitizing communities, with matching funds required.
How much funding can be received?
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities Funds up to $10,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities program?
To be eligible for the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities program, you must:
The applicant must be a not-for-profit organization based in York Region, or its proposed activities must take place in, or benefit, York Region.
The applicant must have a proven track record of delivering programs and services in York Region for underrepresented communities.
The applicant must be able to match the $10,000 fund.
What expenses are eligible under Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities?
Information and knowledge dissemination through workshops to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among underrepresented communities.
Community outreach and engagement initiatives designed to enhance inclusion, diversity, and accessibility.
Projects focused on digitizing communities to improve participation and access.
Development and implementation of Agri-tech or Cleantech solutions supporting sustainability in areas such as precision agriculture, robotics, AI in agriculture, vertical farming, food automation, ecosystem sustainability, decarbonization, and electric vehicles.
Where is the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities available?
The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities program is available the province of Ontario.
Is the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities is a Grant and Funding
Who are the financial supporters of the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities?
Entrepreneurship and Innovation Fund (EIF) — Non-Profits that Serve Underrepresented Communities is funded by ventureLAB