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Investment Readiness Program
Supports investment readiness for social purpose organizations
Last Update: June 8, 2026
Funding available
$ 5,000 - $ 75,000
Timeline
- Open Date : February 3, 2026
Location
Quebec City, Northwest Territories, Canada
Overview
This program supported social purpose organizations with up to $75,000 to strengthen investment readiness. It funded activities such as business planning, market research, product or service development, and preparation for social finance or investment.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop team skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Minimum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : February 3, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Quebec City
- Northwest Territories
Legal structures
- Financial cooperative
- For-profit business
- Social economy enterprise
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Black Canadians
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Canadians
- Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- Mixed revenue (50%+ earned)
- Fee-for-service model
Scope
- Provincial
- National
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Build or grow a social enterprise
- Launch or test a social innovation initiative
- Prepare a project for investment or social finance
- Develop tools, resources, or partnerships for the social economy ecosystem
- Carry out research, feasibility work, or market analysis
Documents Needed
- Application form
- Supporting documents required by the partner
- Proof of legal status
- Project plan or business plan
- Financial statements and projections
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Registered charities
- Qualified donees
- Social enterprises
- Co-operatives
- Non-profits applying with a charity or qualified donee
Who is not eligible
- Single individuals
- Sole proprietors
- Government agencies
- Projects mainly outside Canada
Eligible expenses
- External professional services and specialized support
- Studies, market research, and business planning
- Staffing costs directly tied to the project
- Prototypes, testing, and product development
- Software, equipment, and minor assets related to the project
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Core operating costs
- Fundraising activities and capital campaigns
- Real estate or land purchases
- Projects outside Canada
- Religious or partisan political activities
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
- Quebec
Selection criteria
- Alignment with program goals
- Project feasibility and viability
- Organization’s capacity to deliver the project
- Expected community impact
- Clear plan for investment readiness
How to apply
1
Review application guide
- Review the application guide and related instructions carefully.
- Use the Word version of the forms to prepare your submission offline.
- Confirm the call for applications is open and note the applicable deadline for your stream.
2
Confirm eligibility
- Ensure your organization and project meet the Québec eligibility criteria.
- Confirm that your organization has its head office and operations in Québec and fits an eligible legal form.
- Verify that the project is intended to prepare the organization for eventual access to loans.
3
Prepare documents
- Gather the mandatory supporting documents required with the exhaustive form.
- Prepare financial statements, projected financial statements, and proof of financial partnerships.
- Attach the board resolution, incorporation documents, governance documents, and any relevant studies or service offers.
4
Submit application
- Complete the online funding application form.
- Submit the exhaustive form or the preliminary form, as applicable to the project size.
- File the application through the Chantier de l’économie sociale portal.
5
Await decision
- Wait for the application review and analysis.
- For projects under $100,000, applications are reviewed continuously until funds are exhausted.
- If approved, receive a funding agreement with the conditions and disbursement schedule.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications were reviewed after submission for eligibility and completeness
- Eligible files were assessed against program criteria and project fit
- Successful applicants received a funding agreement before funds were released
- Some recipients had to submit a mid-term report before the second payment
- Final reporting was required at project completion
Additional information
- The program is no longer active.
- It was delivered through multiple Readiness Support Partners.
- Applicants with different projects could apply to other IRP partners.
- Some recipients had to sign a joint funding agreement.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Investment Readiness Program Program
What is the Investment Readiness Program?
This program supported social purpose organizations with up to $75,000 to strengthen investment readiness. It funded activities such as business planning, market research, product or service development, and preparation for social finance or investment.
How much funding can be received?
Investment Readiness Program Funds up to 80% of admissible expenses, capped at $75,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Investment Readiness Program program?
To be eligible for the Investment Readiness Program program, you must:
Canadian social purpose organizations
Charity or qualified donee status
Project led by women or gender-diverse people
What expenses are eligible under Investment Readiness Program?
Build or grow a social enterprise
Launch or test a social innovation initiative
Prepare a project for investment or social finance
Develop tools, resources, or partnerships for the social economy ecosystem
Carry out research, feasibility work, or market analysis
Who can I contact for more information about the Investment Readiness Program?
You can contact Yellowknife Community Foundation (YKCF) by email at social_innovation_sociale@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca.
Where is the Investment Readiness Program available?
The Investment Readiness Program program is available the province of Northwest Territories.
Is the Investment Readiness Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Investment Readiness Program is a Grant and Funding