From LOCAL community projects and PERSONAL creative pursuits to BUSINESS growth and innovation, there are grants designed to support people from all walks of life.
Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, parent, or community leader, funding opportunities exist to help you bring your ideas to life — and these past examples prove it.
From local community projects and personal creative pursuits to business growth and innovation, there are grants designed to support people from all walks of life. Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, parent, or community leader, funding opportunities exist to help you bring your ideas to life — and these PAST and PRESENT examples prove it.
Funding to start, grow, or expand a business — from equipment and marketing to innovation and export support.
Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) — Provides up to $15,000 in non-repayable funding for small and medium businesses to adopt digital tools for ecommerce or productivity
CanExport SMEs
Provides up to $50,000 to cover 50% of eligible costs for Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises expanding into new international markets.
Agriculture and Food Export Program
Under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, this program supports Agriculture exports with grants of up to $225,000.
Starter Company Plus
Up to $5,000 for entrepreneurs to start, expand, or acquire a business. Includes training and mentorship alongside the grant.
Neighbourhood Small Grants
Offers up to $500 for residents to run grassroots community or creative events (workshops, pop-ups, etc.).
Celebration Grants
Up to $2500 to host a celebration where more than 10 local families are invited.
Environmental Grants
Provides grants for individuals or small groups facing environmental issues. It funds legal support for cases and case studies like habitat protection or community advocacy.
Wellness Grants
Offers micro-grants (often up to $2,500) to individuals and groups for impactful local projects—everything from art installations to neighborhood classes or community healing initiatives.
Arts Impact Grants
In 2024, over 8900 artists and arts groups received more than $97 million, funding a wide range of projects from performances to public artworks
Arts and Heritage – Local Festivals
Grants up to $200,000 for local festivals that showcase heritage, performance, and culture—great if your street party is part of a larger celebratory event.
Creative Communities Projects
This grant supports one-time arts initiatives that foster public engagement and collaboration between professional artists and community members.
Ideal for street art, pop-up performances, or neighborhood workshops.
Private Foundation Grants
As of 2024, there were approximately 7,378 registered private foundations in Canada.
Across all registered private foundations, total grants awarded reached over $7.6 billion for arts, music, creative projects, scholarships etc.
Professional Development Grants — Up to $15,000 awarded for professional learning and development opportunities.
Quebec – Formations de courte durée (COUD)
This program supports 100% of training costs—including participant wages—for short-term, work-study training programs delivered in partnership with recognized educational institutions. It’s ideal for employers helping employees re-skill or upskill into high-demand roles.
Canada Job Grants
Provides up to $10,000 per trainee in funding to employers for skills training for new or existing employees—a significant boost for professional development.
StrongerBC Future Skills Grant (BC)
This program supports short-term training at post-secondary institutions, making it easier for learners to upskill. It’s ideal for people upgrading their career tools.
Graduate Scholarship Programs
Merit-based support for graduate students—worth $5,000 per term—and awarded to high-performing students pursuing master’s or doctoral studies.
NRC IRAP (Industrial Research Assistance Program) — Funded with approximately $100 million per year, supporting R&D and innovation projects through advisory services and grants to Canadian SMEs.
Innovation Fund to Support Research Ideas
Up to $50,000 for early-stage, shop-floor, applied innovation projects led by individuals or small teams. Especially great for prototypes or proof-of-concept research.
New Beginnings Initiative
Offers up to $25,000 in operating funding to individual innovators.
'Manning Innovation Awards
Recognizes individual Canadian innovators with financial awards: up to $100,000 for Principal Award, $25,000 for Excellence — great for breakthroughs with public impact.
Carbonzero Community Micro Grant (CCMG)
Provides small but meaningful funding to registered charities and nonprofits undertaking local projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and foster community impact.
New Horizons for Seniors Program
A federal grant supporting community-based projects that engage seniors and strengthen intergenerational connections—typically offering funding ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.
Community Radio Fund of Canada (CRFC)
Supports not-for-profit community and campus radio stations with project funding—great for nonprofits using media to engage or inform local audiences.
Community Mobilization Fund – Canadian Race Relations Foundation
Offers project-specific grants between $5,000 and $20,000 to support anti-racism and community outreach programs aimed at fostering racial harmony.