How much funding can be received?

The WES Ecosystem Fund, with a maximum funding amount of $3,000,000, aims to enhance support for women entrepreneurs by providing non-repayable contributions to eligible not-for-profit projects that foster mentorship, networking, capacity building, and business development in Canada's women entrepreneurship ecosystem. Eligible activities include mentoring, skills development opportunities, innovative business support strategies, and the strengthening of inclusive networks and partnerships.

grant_single_labels|projects

The WES Ecosystem Fund grant aims to enhance the ecosystem for women entrepreneurs in Canada by prioritizing capacity-building activities, strengthening networks, and supporting business development. Eligible projects focus on delivering comprehensive support services and fostering partnerships to address specific gaps in the entrepreneurship landscape for women.

Mentoring, networking, or related support activities to enhance professional connections.
Facilitating capacity building and skills development opportunities such as training and education.
Innovative business development and deployment supports or strategies, like service improvements and pilot approaches.
Compiling, developing, and delivering learning materials, policies, procedures, tools, and workshops.
Establishing or strengthening inclusive networks and partnerships to share knowledge and best practices.
Advancing and supporting procurement and supplier diversity efforts.
Organizing meetings, events, and workshops to promote inclusion and diversity.
Promotion activities to raise awareness of issues faced by small businesses and entrepreneurs regarding access and representation.

grant_single_labels|admissibility

To be eligible for this grant, organizations must meet specific criteria regarding their structure, experience, and partnerships.

Must be a Canadian not-for-profit organization or association operating at a local, regional, or national level.
Must fall under one or more of the following categories: Business and entrepreneur support organizations, Research/innovation hubs, Organizations that certify diverse suppliers in Canada, Post-secondary institutions, Indigenous organizations, or Business accelerators and incubators.
Must have been in operation for a minimum of three years by September 26, 2022.
Applicants must demonstrate a mandate focused on supporting women and/or women entrepreneurs, or have programming specifically targeted at women entrepreneurs or skills development for women within the past three years.
Applicants must partner with at least one other organization, which can include private sector actors, but private sector actors must contribute financially or in-kind to the project and are not considered beneficiaries of the funding.
Partnership stakeholders must have been in operation for at least one year.
Partnership applications must include a letter of support between the lead applicant and each partner organization, detailing roles and contributions, signed by authorized officials.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

This grant targets Canadian not-for-profit organizations involved in business and entrepreneur support, research/innovation hubs, diverse supplier certification, post-secondary education, Indigenous support, and business growth initiatives.

Business and entrepreneur support organizations, operating at a local, regional, or national level with a minimum of three years of operation.
Research/innovation hubs that aid in the development of women entrepreneurs.
Organizations that certify diverse suppliers in Canada.
Post-secondary institutions, universities, colleges, and technical institutes engaged in women entrepreneurship.
Indigenous organizations that support women entrepreneurs.
Business accelerators and incubators that focus on women-owned businesses and entrepreneurship.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

The WES Ecosystem Fund is designed to support specific types of organizations to foster women entrepreneurship, and certain types of companies or industries are ineligible to apply as lead applicants. The restrictions focus on organizational status to ensure proper alignment with the fund's goals.

Crown Organizations cannot apply as lead applicants.
Community Futures Development Corporations are not eligible as lead applicants.
Community Business Development Corporations cannot apply as lead applicants.
Sociétés d'aide au développement des collectivités are excluded as lead applicants.
Centres d'aide aux entreprises cannot apply as lead applicants.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Eligible expenses for the grant include costs directly related to carrying out the eligible activities necessary for the project's success.

Cost of labour (salaries and benefits) and materials used.
Capital costs directly related to eligible activities, such as capital disbursements, purchase of machinery, equipment, and infrastructure, and associated repairs or retrofits.
Operating costs that are incremental and directly related to the project, such as management fees or working capital.
Costs related to marketing, promotion, and communication.
Professional fees, including consultants, research, IT, technical expertise, legal, and translation services.
Costs associated with procuring space or equipment necessary for project activities, workshops, events, and meetings.
Costs supporting the use of tools and products for capacity building and skills development, such as educational licensing and third-party software.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

This grant is applicable to organizations operating across national or multi-regional areas in Canada. Eligible projects must serve a minimum of five provinces and territories, with priority given to those that deliver services in all provinces and territories.

Projects national in scope across Canada.
Projects serving at least five provinces and territories.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria that assess the capability of the applicant organizations and the potential impact of the proposed projects.

Organization Experience and Capacity: Evaluation of the project team and management structure, experience in managing and financially administrating projects of similar size and scope, and experience working with entrepreneurs and/or women-owned businesses.
Implementation: Assessment of project objectives, expected outcomes, and scope, including how clearly gaps are identified in the ecosystem and evidence of how the proposed project will address these gaps through project activities.
Project Activities: Detailed and relevant information on proposed activities, clear plans to attract clientele and deliver services, feasible timelines, and sound project execution plans.
Risks and Mitigation Plan: Identification and comprehensive assessment of risks that could impact the proposed activities, with reasonable risk mitigation strategies.
Key Partners: Inclusion and roles of key partners needed to carry out the proposed work.
Budget: Adequate details and description of eligible costs, demonstrating value for money.
Expected Outcomes: Clear indication of how the organization will contribute to the planned outcomes of the overall initiative, including both qualitative and quantitative outcomes.
Sustainability: Approach to continue services when funding ends, ensuring the project will continue without funding or how services will conclude.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to apply for the WES Ecosystem Fund grant:

Step 1: Review Eligibility and Partner Requirements
Ensure your organization is a Canadian not-for-profit and falls under eligible categories such as business support organizations or post-secondary institutions.
Verify that your organization has a minimum of three years of operation and meets the women-focused mandate or programming criteria.
Identify appropriate partner organizations that complement your project's goals and obtain a signed letter of support from each partner.
Step 2: Develop Project Proposal
Draft a detailed project proposal addressing gaps in the women entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Outline project scope, activities, expected outcomes, and budget details.
Describe your organization's capacity and experience in managing similar projects.
Ensure all services are planned to be delivered in both official languages.
Step 3: Prepare Required Documentation
Complete the application form and Budget Detail Template.
Gather three years of past financial statements and incorporation documents for the lead applicant.
Prepare a sustainability plan outlining how the project will continue post-funding.
Include letters of support from partner organizations.
Step 4: Submit Application
Download and complete all forms using Adobe Reader or a similar PDF reader, as the forms are not compatible with web browsers.
Submit the complete application package, including all attachments, before the deadline by clicking the "Submit" button on the PDF form.
Ensure submission is done well before the deadline to avoid any technical issues.
Step 5: Post-Submission Follow-up
Wait for confirmation and further instructions from the funding body if the application is successful.
Prepare for quarterly and annual reporting if the project receives funding.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Projects must conclude by March 31, 2025, to be eligible for funding under this grant.
Applicants can only submit one application for funding per project, and only the most recent application will be reviewed if multiple submissions occur.
Successful applicants will be required to share data with the Women's Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub to support ecosystem development.
If funded, annual audited financial statements are mandatory for the duration of the contribution agreement.
Total Canadian government assistance for all eligible expenses must not exceed 100% of the total eligible project costs.
Applications must include three years of financially reviewed or audited statements, incorporation documentation, and letters of support from partners.

grant_single_labels|contact

1-800-328-6189

Apply to this program

The WES Ecosystem Fund: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

This grant aims to support women entrepreneurs in Canada by providing financial assistance to non-profit organizations that foster connections, networks, and provide essential services. It prioritizes projects that enhance the capabilities and services available to women entrepreneurs, especially in rural, remote, and Northern areas of Canada.

Understanding the Impact of the WES Ecosystem Fund

The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Ecosystem Fund is a pivotal initiative aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs by expanding their access to critical services, networks, and opportunities across Canada. Launched under the Government of Canada's wider plan to bolster women's equitable participation in the economy, this fund provides essential non-repayable financial support to non-profit organizations striving to bridge service gaps and fortify the women entrepreneurship ecosystem.

With a substantial $65 million allocation through Budget 2021, the fund emphasizes reaching areas that hold significant potential for women entrepreneurs, such as the care economy, retail, and service sectors. Additionally, priority is placed on supporting women entrepreneurs in remote, rural, and Northern communities, ensuring that resources and opportunities are equitably distributed across the geographical expanse of Canada.

The WES Ecosystem Fund not only focuses on empowering women-owned businesses to thrive but also necessitates the establishment of collaborative partnerships. Eligible organizations applying for the fund must demonstrate the capability to partner with other entities, underlining the importance of collaboration in enhancing service delivery and reaching a wider audience. These partnerships are critical in crafting a comprehensive network of support that can address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women entrepreneurs.

Projects considered for funding must be national or multi-regional, implicating services that impact at least five provinces or territories, thereby reinforcing the Fund’s pan-Canadian outlook. Additionally, projects are expected to have a minimum budget of $250,000 while not exceeding $3,000,000, with activities needing to be concluded by March 31, 2025. The Fund's final intent is to provide both immediate and lasting impacts, fostering sustainability and self-sufficiency beyond the funding period.

A hallmark of the WES Ecosystem Fund is its comprehensive assessment criteria, which evaluate an organization's experience, capacity, project objectives, expected outcomes, and sustainability strategies. Successful applicants are those who can effectively illustrate their potential in nurturing the women entrepreneurship ecosystem through innovative approaches, detailed planning, and robust partnerships.

Eligible activities and costs under the fund include mentorship, networking, capacity building, skills development, and innovative business support strategies. These are thoughtfully structured to enhance the visibility and operational efficiency of women-led businesses. Moreover, initiatives aiming at procurement opportunities and supplier diversity are particularly encouraged, allowing women entrepreneurs to access broader markets and resources.

In conclusion, the WES Ecosystem Fund is a transformative endeavor that seeks to empower women entrepreneurs by ensuring they have the necessary support to start, sustain, and grow their businesses. By strategically investing in projects that leverage partnerships and focus on areas of strength, this grant helps stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and promote a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape in Canada.