Canada United Small Business Relief Fund
ON, Canada
Grant supports small businesses' COVID-19 operational adjustments
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- grant_single|maxCount
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Grant and Funding
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- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Retail trade
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
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- Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC)
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The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund offers small businesses a maximum grant of $5,000 to support expenses for reopening safely or adopting digital technologies. Eligible activities include purchasing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), renovating spaces according to reopening guidelines, and enhancing websites or developing e-commerce capabilities.
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This grant offers financial assistance to small businesses to help them adjust to COVID-19 safety guidelines and enhance online operations. Eligible activities focus on purchasing necessary equipment, redesigning physical spaces, and boosting digital presence.
- Purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves, and sanitizers.
- Renovation of business premises to comply with social distancing and safety measures.
- Enhancement of websites or development of e-commerce capabilities for engaging customers remotely.
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the applicant's business operations and compliance standards.
- One application per ownership or common ownership group is allowed. Subsequent submissions will be automatically rejected after the first one.
- Applicants do not need to be a member of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to qualify.
- Eligible applicants include small to medium-sized (SME) companies from all sectors and regions of Canada.
- Both For-Profit and Not-For-Profit organizations are eligible, but Government organizations, municipalities, charities, and the chamber of commerce network are not.
- Applicants must be incorporated or operating as a sole proprietor/partnership in Canada as of March 1, 2020.
- The applicant must have no more than 75 employees.
- The applicant's minimum annual sales in 2019 must be $150,000 and not exceed $3,000,000.
- The applicant must have $1,000,000 of commercial general liability insurance.
- Applicants must not be receiving other public funds for the specific activities in the funding application and must disclose any other government sources of funding received.
- The applicant must be in full compliance with all applicable government laws, rules, and regulations.
- The business must continue to operate after September 1, 2020.
- The application must include all necessary receipts and invoices, with proof of payment, to avoid automatic disqualification.
- The company's recent sales tax (GST/HST) filing must be submitted along with one of the following documents: proof of business registration, business license, articles of incorporation, or documentation for each corporate partner in a partnership.
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Eligible applicants include small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from all sectors and regions in Canada, both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, with certain exclusions. Government organizations, municipalities, charities, and the chamber of commerce network are not eligible.
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This grant excludes certain types of organizations from receiving funds. The restrictions ensure that the funds are allocated to eligible small and medium-sized enterprises operating within the specified criteria.
- Government organizations and municipalities.
- Charities.
- The chamber of commerce network.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The grant covers specific expenses directly related to adjusting operations due to COVID-19 safety guidelines.
- Purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including masks, face shields, gloves, sanitizer, disinfectant chemicals, no-touch thermometers, and protective gear.
- Renovation of spaces to adhere to re-opening guidelines, such as building or purchasing physical barriers, creating sanitizing stations, installing touchless devices, and associated electrical or plumbing work.
- Enhancement of website or development of e-commerce capability, including creating or designing a website, hiring external staff for copywriting, professional photography, one-time setup fees for e-commerce transactions, and touchless payment hardware.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund does not specify particular geographical areas within Canada as it is a national fund. Instead, it is open to all eligible small to medium-sized companies across all regions of Canada.
- All regions of Canada for eligible companies.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are determined by several factors to ensure effective distribution and utilization of the funds.
- Applications are processed on a first come, first served basis.
- Eligibility of the applicant.
- Eligibility of activities and expenditures for funding.
- Completeness and correctness of the application.
- Timing of the application reception.
- Diversity of priority sectors and regions of Canada benefiting from the program.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Access the Application
- Visit the official Ontario Chamber of Commerce website or the participating local or Provincial Chamber of Commerce’s site.
- Click on the link related to the province in which your business is located.
- Step 2: Review Eligibility and Conditions
- Read through the eligibility criteria carefully to ensure you qualify.
- Familiarize yourself with the conditions of participation.
- Step 3: Complete the Application Form
- Click on “APPLY NOW” to access the application form.
- Fill in all required fields in the application form accurately.
- Step 4: Submit the Application
- Review all entered information for accuracy and completeness.
- If the “Submit” button is not active, ensure all mandatory fields are completed.
- Once all fields are completed, click the “Submit” button to send your application.
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Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Priority is given to applications from businesses owned by Indigenous People, women, visible minorities, LGBTQ2+, and persons with disabilities.
- Applicants' names and funding levels, if approved, may be published, and participation in promotional activities is required.
- The OCC has the right to publish aggregate data from applications for reports or studies without individual applicant consent.
- All applications become the property of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and will not be returned.
- Applicants must enter into an agreement and abide by terms and conditions if approved for funding.
- Funding decisions are based on both the timeliness and quality of applications submitted.
Apply to this program
Support for Small Businesses with COVID-19 Adaptations
The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund (CUSBRF) offered financial assistance to small businesses to help cover costs related to safe reopening and adopting digital technologies. Managed by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, this initiative aimed to mitigate the financial strain imposed by the pandemic.
Understanding the Canada United Small Business Relief Fund
The Canada United Small Business Relief Fund was an essential financial resource formed through a collaboration involving RBC, the Federal Government, and various partners, dedicated to helping small and medium-sized enterprises across Canada navigate the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. At its core, the fund was established as part of a broader movement to demonstrate support for local businesses, emphasizing the necessity of keeping commerce and community spirit alive during difficult times.
Notably, the Fund distributed over $14 million to more than 2,000 small businesses, focusing on providing relief from the unforeseen costs of operating safely and moving their services online amidst pandemic restrictions. Businesses eligible for the grant included those with fewer than 75 employees and revenue between $150,000 and $3,000,000 annually. A priority was given to businesses owned by Indigenous, women, and visible minorities, as part of the initiative's commitment to equitable support.
Eligible expenses under this program encompassed three primary categories: the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE), space renovations to comply with re-opening guidelines, and the enhancement of digital capabilities to foster e-commerce. These areas were selected carefully to address pivotal aspects of business adaptation necessitated by the COVID-19 crisis. For instance, PPE became critical for ensuring the safety of both employees and customers as businesses resumed operations. Meanwhile, renovations often involved physical modifications like the installation of plexiglass barriers or touchless payment systems to enhance safety for in-person interactions.
Additionally, the Fund encouraged the transformation of business models through digital enhancement. Activities under this category could include the development of e-commerce platforms or the overhaul of existing websites to improve user experience. Acknowledging that the pandemic accelerated the shift towards online commerce, the Fund's support aimed at empowering businesses to continue serving their communities effectively.
The application process required detailed documentation and proof of expenses connected directly to the necessary adaptations. Importantly, only expenses incurred after March 15, 2020, qualified, ensuring that the relief addressed costs genuinely arising from pandemic-driven changes. Applications were processed on a first-come, first-served basis, reflecting the urgency and high demand for assistance amid evolving business landscapes.
Even though the fund is now closed to new applications, its initial impact demonstrated a meaningful intervention at a critical time. By quickly mobilizing resources, the Fund managed to bolster small businesses across various sectors—from retail to services and beyond—signifying an integral part of the broader economic recovery strategy during COVID-19.
