Funding Sources
Unison has announced the Live Music Workers Fund and is accepting applications as of July 6, 2022 from eligible recipients:
- The Government of Canada announced The Unison Fund as a recipient of the Canada Performing Arts Workers Resilience Fund.
- Unison will be distributing this funding to qualifying live music workers as part of The Live Music Workers Fund program. This program launches July 6th, 2022.
- The Live Music Workers Fund program will provide financial relief to qualified independent and self-employed workers in the live music sector to support themselves and their families with basic living expenses – groceries, shelter (rent), and medical expenses.
- Applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria for the Live Music Workers Fund should apply to the Industry Assistance Fund.
- Successful applicants will receive a one-time payment of $2500.
- Check out their FAQ page for more information.
- To apply, visit www.unisonfund.ca or view our step-by-step instructions on how to apply.
If you have any questions about eligibility or the program itself, please contact Unison directly.
Click here for more information
Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (R.A.I.S.E.) is a service and grant program developed and administered by the Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA), the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association (OBIAA) and in partnership with the Parkdale Centre for Innovation (PCI) to support Indigenous, Black and other Racialized entrepreneurs in Ontario to start and scale a business. R.A.I.S.E. will provide access to business development training, culturally responsive support services and access to grant funding. The program is funded by the Government of Ontario.
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Northern Ontario Innovation Challenge
CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
The Northern Ontario Innovation Challenge invites northern Ontario-based innovative food & agri-tech SMEs to pitch their business for a chance to win a free one-year Access Membership to Bioenterprise, Canada’s Food & Agri-Tech Engine (‘the Engine’) and $5,000 cash!
Link to Website for more information
What is the Homegrown Innovation Challenge?
The $33-million Homegrown Innovation Challenge, delivered over six years, will identify teams and support the development of tools and technologies that enable Canadian farmers and producers to sustainably and competitively grow berries out of season.
Click here for more information
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE TRUE NORTH SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS
Good morning fellow entrepreneurs,
As a champion of entrepreneurs, my number one piece of advice for every entrepreneur is:
Surround yourself with a community that gets you, supports you and cheers you on through the ups, downs and in-betweens.
I always encourage entrepreneurs to seek out mentors, programs and opportunities that will give wind to their wings and help them reach their goals faster.
That’s why, today, I am so excited to announce I will be the moderator for Purolator’s True North Small Business Grant Contest selection panel for 2022!
The Purolator’s True North Small Business Grant Contest provides business owners at any stage of operations with $20,000 in cash and $5,000 in ‘pay it forward’ funds for community giving to make a more significant impact. This program genuinely understands the value entrepreneurs place in making a difference for their communities through their businesses, so I had to get involved.
Applications and nominations are now open, and even nominators have a chance to win a $500 Visa gift card. Participation can be through self-nomination by the owner/ founder or nominations by customers, employees, and others.
Don’t miss this great opportunity, apply now at purolator.com/TrueNorth or purolator.com/PleinNord
The new Strategic Agri-Food Processing Fund Program
The new Strategic Agri-Food Processing Fund Program, which was announced in the 2021 Fall Economic Statement, to increase the province’s food processing capacity, strengthen its food security and position the agri-food sector for economic growth, will launch on April 1, 2022. Agri-food processor businesses are eligible for up to $3 million in cost-share funding to either build new processing facilities, expand or modernize existing facilities and adopt new innovative technologies to improve current operations.
More information on eligibility, cost share and how to apply can be found in the program guidelines. The guidelines will be posted to this link in the near future.
Ontario Arts Council
OAC is an agency that operates at arm’s length from the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. The OAC’s grants and services to professional, Ontario-based artists and arts organizations support arts education, Indigenous arts, community arts, crafts, dance, Francophone arts, literature, media arts, multidisciplinary arts, music, theatre, touring, and visual arts. The OAC is directed by 12 volunteer board (council) members who come from communities throughout the province. They are appointed by the Government of Ontario for a three-year term. The OAC’s board is responsible for setting OAC’s policies and oversees the organization’s operation.
- Dance
- Literature
- Media Arts
- Multi and Inter-Arts
- Music
- Theatre
- Visual Arts
Link to OAC Website
Canada Digital Adoption Program
How Canadians do business has changed. To stay competitive and grow, small and medium-sized businesses need to adopt new digital tools.
In Budget 2021, the Government of Canada announced the $4 billion Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) to help get your business online, give your e-commerce presence a boost or help digitalize your business’s operations.
CDAP provides funding and support to businesses, as well as training and work opportunities for young Canadians.
We fund R&D and test prototypes in real-life settings
We have two streams with funding dedicated to Canadian innovators who want to start, grow and get to market
Get More information here
Access to capital and tailored solutions
We understand women’s barriers in accessing financing and solutions for the business they own and lead. If you’re a woman entrepreneur looking for access to capital for your business or ESG-focused services for your company, we’re here to help. As a program participant, you get access to a financial partner who can help support your growth and financial future. We offer creative financing solutions tailored to your strategic priorities, including working capital and inventory financing, funding for capital projects, expansions, mergers and acquisitions, and much more.
LINK to Scotiabank Women Iniative website
FAIR FINANCE FUND
The Fair Finance Fund is a social finance fund for Ontario’s local food and farm sector. The Fund supports local food and farm social enterprises in accessing the capital and mentorship they need to grow and thrive. Together, alongside our investors, we help build sustainable local food systems, grow local economies and strengthen climate resilience.
Access the capital you need to grow and thrive
APPLY
PROJECT LEARNING TREE CANADA
We offer a 50% or 80% wage match, with up to $32,000 CAD in reimbursements, to employers hiring youth aged 15-30 into Green Jobs. A Green Job is one that supports nature-based solutions for a more sustainable planet. Green jobs are typically involved in, but not limited to, jobs in the forest sector, parks, conservation, natural resource management, environmental education, sustainable food systems, climate change, carbon sequestration, species maintenance and recovery, water quality and quantity, and more.
Follow link to to see samples of eligible employment opportunities
Angel Investing
An angel investor, (also known as a business angel), is an individual or group of individuals who provide investment capital to new or growing businesses and expect a percentage of ownership equity in return.
Angel investing is a common business practice throughout North America and Europe. Most angels invest their own capital, although there are some angel groups (or angel networks) where several investors combine their capital so they can invest in more opportunities.
Angels typically seek investment opportunities in high growth, small-medium enterprises that are too young to qualify for bank loans or other traditional means of financing.
Angel investments in Northern Ontario provide a greater pool of capital and access to equity for innovative start-up and/or growing companies.
Northern Ontario Angels – LINK to their website
The Northern Ontario Angels is the #1 Angel Organization in North America for Northern Ontario entrepreneurs (looking for growth capital) and angel investors (looking for investments). The creative concept and foundation of this network was developed to take Northern Ontario businesses to the next level. NOA is continually growing, developing and updating it’s Angel Investment Groups throughout the north and around the World. Presently, NOA supports Angel Investment Groups in Sudbury, North Bay, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins/Kapuskasing and Kenora.
SNAPP Sustainable New Agri-Food Products & Productivity Program
- Cathy Bouchard – snapp@rainalgoma.ca or (705) 942-7927 ext. 3135
Tourism Relief Fund
The Tourism Relief Fund (TRF), administered by Canada’s regional development agencies and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), is a $500-million national program to support the tourism sector in Canada. Indigenous Sole Proprietors are eligible for this funding.
The TRF will help position Canada as a destination of choice when domestic and international travel is once again deemed safe, by:
- empowering tourism businesses to create new or enhance existing tourism experiences and products to attract more local and domestic visitors
- helping the sector reposition itself to welcome international visitors, by providing the best Canadian tourism experiences we have to offer the world
Initiatives under this fund will help tourism businesses and organizations:
- adapt their operations to meet public health requirements
- improve their products and services
- position themselves for post-pandemic economic recovery
Indigenous applicants
A minimum of $50 million of the TRF will specifically support Indigenous tourism initiatives. For more information and to apply, contact your regional development agency.
Carrot Cache
Carrot Cache
Carrot Cache is a non-profit organization that supports small projects in Ontario working toward a sustainable and just regional food system.
Over the last 18 years Carrot Cache granted over $2.1 million to organizations and individuals. These monies are given to people who are working on organic agriculture initiatives and developing regional food economies.
Equipment Purchase Financing
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Buying new or used equipment can help you pursue growth opportunities and improve competitiveness. However, it can also put a strain on cash flow. Count on a BDC loan* to cover past or upcoming expenses related to:
Get up to:
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Canadian Food Innovation Network Innovation Booster Funding
Small or medium-sized food manufacturers can apply for Innovation Booster funding if your high potential project is limited by lack of funds to: · Assess product market fit · Test your minimum viable product · Scale and expand globally · Prepare for investment · Leverage and protect your intellectual property Application package available –
Week of Oct 4, 2021 Information sessions – Oct 18 and Nov 1, 2021 Projects awarded – Ongoing starting in November More information visit the Canadian Food Innovation Network website.
Desjardins GoodSpark Fund
Desjardins GoodSpark Fund
Nov. 1, 2021: Desjardins is proud to announce that it is bringing back the Desjardins GoodSpark Grants program for a second year. After the success of last year’s program, which supported 75 local businesses across Canada, Desjardins is increasing its investment in this year’s program to double the number of recipients and double the amount of the grant. A total of $3 million will be given to benefit 150 small businesses across the country. For over 120 years, Desjardins has been serving its communities and the GoodSpark Grants program is a testament to its ongoing commitment to enriching the lives of people and making a positive impact.
Ontario Business Grants
This is an excellent place to start as it gives you a drop down menu to find all the various grants that are available.
ontariobusinessgrants.com. The Ontario Business Grants website will provide you with a drop down set of criteria to complete to help you find the type of funding, loans, grants that will suit your needs. HERE IS THE LINK
Examples of what you can find….
Female Entrepreneur Grants (2021) – there are currently 18 progams for Women-Owned Businesses – READ MORE
Ontario Startup Grants (2021) – there are currently 57 Start Up Business Grants for Ontario Enterepreneurs – READ MORE
Artist Grants (2021) – there are currently 171 Funding Programs for your Creative-Sector Business – READ MORE
CANADA HIRING RECOVER PROGRAM (CHRP)
For businesses that have been hit hardest by the pandemic, hiring the workers they need to grow is a cost they may worry about taking on. The federal government wants these businesses to be able to recover and grow by hiring more people.
The Hiring Program will help eligible employers hire the workers they need so that the economy can fully recover more quickly and without leaving people behind. The program will be available through the Canada Revenue Agency, just like the Wage Subsidy and Rent Subsidy. The application portal will open following Royal Assent of Bill C-30, the Budget Implementation Act.
It is estimated that this program will cost $595 million in 2021-22.
Ontario Helping 100,000 Workers Train for In-Demand Jobs
The Ontario government is investing $5.8 million in free online training to help 100,000 workers gain the skills they need to find good jobs and restart their careers. Courses will focus on building skills most in-demand by employers in fields such as information technology, finance and business administration.
PARO
The PARO program offers a grant/loan program. The first level is $1000 (50% grant that is not paid back, 50% paid back), the second level is $2000 (50% grant and 50% paid back). The program is managed through PARO who provide the grant and LAMBAC who manage the loan portion. For Manitoulin Island contact barbara.baker@sumthing.ca 705-368-3114
IFund Women
IFundWomen is the go-to funding marketplace for women-owned businesses and the people who want to support them with access to capital, coaching, and connections.
We offer immediate access to capital through a premium online fundraising experience, access to small business grants from corporate partners, expert business coaching on all the topics entrepreneurs need to know about, and a network of women business owners that sparks confidence, accelerates knowledge and ignites action.
NOW
Northern Ontario Women – NOW program A Project to stimulate women-owned and women-led business start-ups and scale-ups by increasing access to business development supports throughout the Northern Ontario region. – http://lambac.org/now/ . This is a grant program that has an open periods that you must work within, the current intake closes November 30th. Sue Whynott is the liaison and her email is now@lambac.org
DIGITAL MAINSTREET PROGRAM
Programs for Ontario Businesses As part of a partnership between the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario, Digital Main Street is proud to announce three new programs to support businesses across Ontario. Digitalmainstreet.ca
LAMBAC
LAMBAC. The contact person is Carolyn and she can be reached at 705-282-3215. Email carolyn@lambac.org. LAMBAC is a Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) sponsored by Innovation Science And Economic Development / FedNor, created to support small and medium-sized business and community economic development. LAMBAC supports businesses through small business loans and resources. The organization administers local investment funds to help finance new or existing small and medium sized business and social enterprises for start-up, expansion or stabilization that will maintain or create jobs. LAMBAC is a one-stop source for information and guidance on starting, expanding and operating a business in the LaCloche Manitoulin region. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or existing business owner, we are here to help.
FEDNOR
FedNor to check out their programs. FedNor is the Government of Canada’s economic development organization for Northern Ontario. Through its programs and services, and through its financial support of projects that lead to job creation and economic growth, FedNor works with businesses and community partners to build a stronger Northern Ontario. The contact person is Arik Theijsmeijer and he works out of the LAMBAC office in Gore Bay and he can be reached at 705-665-3185 or 1-877-333-6673 arik.theijsmeijer@canada.ca
NOHFC
Nohfc The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) was established in 1988 with a mandate to promote and stimulate economic development initiatives in Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects that stabilize, diversify and foster the economic growth and diversification of the region. Contact person is Kristen Luoma (Gore Bay office) Kristin.luoma@ontario.ca 705-282-1429
Blue Sky Net BTIF Program
BTIF is a FedNor-funded initiative which assists businesses develop their capacity for e-business and in effect their ability to compete and thrive in the digital age. Blue Sky Net, through BTIF, is committed to helping small-to-medium-sized businesses in the Blue Sky Net region within Northeastern Ontario who are looking to enhance their capacity for business technology and their ability for technology adoption. The BTIF grant helps to alleviate the costs of implementing innovative technology solutions for your business that will help take you to the next level.
BDC – Business Development Bank
Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
If your business has been directly or indirectly impacted by COVID-19, you may be eligible to access these credit options:
- Up to $60,000 interest-free loans through the Canada Emergency Business Account
- Up to $12.5 million for operational cash flow through the BDC Co-Lending Program
- Junior loans ranging between $12.5 million and $60 million through the BDC Mid-Market Financing Program
Indigenous Specific Funding
CCAB is proud to introduce the Indigenous Business Grant 2022, with grant support from Google. Click here for more information
Google Canada is committed to supporting Indigenous-owned businesses across Canada. This program helps to further empower Indigenous businesses by awarding a total of 75 recipients with grants and CCAB membership.
Together, we provide support to help Indigenous-owned businesses thrive as many have experienced challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The grant is administered through CCAB’s Tools and Financing for Aboriginal Business (TFAB) program to enhance Aboriginal entrepreneurship through providing access to digital development and growth opportunities. This program supports Google Canada’s commitment to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.
Wakenagun Community Futures Development Corporation
Description:
Wakenagun CFDC’s Investment Fund – “Women in Business” Loan provides funding for women to enter into business ownership. Funds may be used for new or existing businesses.
Indigenous women in the Wakenagun catchment area of Northern Ontario who have a great idea for a new business are in luck.
The Wakenagun Community Futures Development Corporation will give you up to $150,000 to start your women-owned or led business as long as you have 10% cash equity you can put up.
Waubetek
waubetek.com. The Waubetek Business Development Corporation is an Aboriginal-owned and controlled organization that delivers business financing and economic development services to First Nations and Aboriginal entrepreneurs in North-Eastern Ontario
NACCA, the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association
NACCA.CA. NACCA, the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, is a network of over 50 Aboriginal Financial Institutions (AFIs) dedicated to stimulating economic growth for all Indigenous people in Canada.
Age Specific Funding 18-39
Join the many aspiring entrepreneurs aged 18-39 we’ve helped turn great ideas into thriving businesses. FUTURPRENEUR CANADA – LINK
You’re not afraid of working hard, taking risks and disrupting the status quo. In fact, you don’t know any other way to live. You’ve got great ideas and all the passion in the world. You just need some help getting started.
- Apply for up to $60,000 to launch or buy a new business or to grow one that’s been fully operating for less than 12 months.
- Get matched with an experienced mentor to help you build confidence and tackle your toughest challenges for up to two years.
- Learn key skills like business planning, marketing and cash flow management through our online and in-person business resources.
Futurpreneur Canada is a non-profit organization helping Canadians become business owners with loan financing, mentoring and business resources.
Join the many Canadians aged 18-39 we’ve helped create their own future.
LAUNCH YOUR DREAM BUSINESS WITH SUPPORT FROM AN EXPERT TEAM WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE. LINK
Our team will guide you through all the steps to embark on your business journey—from planning to financing to launch. Our program for Black entrepreneurs age 18-39 provides startup loan financing and up to two years of mentorship, plus access to resources and networking opportunities with fellow entrepreneurs across Canada.
With Diversity & Inclusion as core values, Futurpreneur supports young Canadian entrepreneurs from all backgrounds, helping them launch and grow successful businesses.
We launched this tailored version of our core Startup Program specifically to help address some of the barriers to success faced by many aspiring Black entrepreneurs.
This program is funded by RBC, with additional loan financing from BDC.
Futurepreneur
INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURS AGED 18-39
At Futurpreneur Canada, we support Indigenous entrepreneurs aged 18-39, helping them launch or buy their own business. With up to $60,000* in financing, an expert mentor for up to two years, and access to resources, we’re here to help young entrepreneurs bring their business plan to life.
Take the first step in turning your dream into reality.