As a new or established small business, accessing and obtaining funding can be quite challenging. What’s available, when are deadlines, who’s eligible, is it non-repayable or a loan? There are so many factors to consider, plus an extensive amount of time required to not only find applicable funding options but to also submit an application. 

That’s why we’ve taken to the internet to source upcoming and currently available grants and funding opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses in Canada. Browse the list to learn about upcoming grants, programs, and competitions that could score you more funding!

1. Building Back Better Program 
2. Orbiiit Pitch Competition
3. SoGal Foundation Black Founder Startup Grant
4. Telus Pollinator Fund for Good
5. The Amber Grant
6. Cassels Black-Owned Small Business Grant

Building Back Better Program 

The U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Canada is calling businesses who offer or are looking to create virtual programs dedicated to empowering women to pursue economic growth. If you’re partnering with a U.S. business, or have plans to break into the U.S. market, consider the Building Back Better Program. 

Dates & Deadlines: The deadline for applications is June 28, 2021, 12:00 pm EST. 

Eligibility: Eligible organizations are Canadian not-for-profit organizations, U.S. not-for-profit organizations with a Canadian partner,  Public & private educational institutions, or Public Int’l organizations and governmental institutions. Eligible organizations must have a DUNS number and register with System for Award Management (SAM) to apply. 

Funding: Grants available from $500-$25,000 USD

The submission is quite extensive (requires a proposal, program schedule & timeline, evaluation plan, and more) so we recommend getting started as early as possible!

Learn more about this grant & submit an application HERE

Orbiiit Pitch Competition

The Pitch by Michele Romanow is an online pitch competition that is an opportunity for startups to raise awareness and share their businesses with a new and larger audience. Businesses submit a pitch and try to gain as many votes as possible from the public, aiming to make it to the final round. 

Dates & Deadlines: The deadline for applications is May 18th, 2021. Voting begins May 18, 2021.

Eligibility: The online pitch competition is open to all businesses and industries

Funding: First place winner will receive $10,000 in cash, $15,000 in marketing credits, and a 30 minute 1-on-1 with Michele Romanow, a successful Canadian tech entrepreneur. 

Submissions require you to create and upload a video of your pitch to Youtube. (That’s easy enough!) Break out that ring light, find an awesome background, and hit record! 

Learn more about this competition & submit your video HERE.

SoGal Foundation Black Founder Startup Grant

SoGal is striving to raise awareness of the disproportionately low percentage between the amount of funding available, and what Black Women are receiving. Through this, SoGal is creating equal opportunities for Black Women who are entrepreneurs, innovators, and creators to find capital to fund their ventures with the Black Founder Startup Grant.  

Dates & Deadlines: Applications are continuously being accepted throughout the year. A grant recipient is typically awarded each month. 

Eligibility: To be considered for this grant you should identify as a Black Woman, or a Black Non-Binary entrepreneur with a registered business, that is looking to procure financing through investors now, or in the future to scale their business.

Funding: Grants available from $5,000 – $10,000 USD

Submission is easy and requires you to fill out a simple entry form with only 8 fields/questions!

Learn more about this grant & submit an application HERE.

Telus Pollinator Fund for Good

The Telus Pollinator Fund for Good is a $100m fund focused on investing in new businesses that are striving for positive social & environmental impact, plus economic growth with their products and services. They will provide financing, mentorship, access to Telus’ global network, and more.  

Dates & Deadlines: Applications are continuously being accepted throughout the year.

Eligibility: For-profit companies striving for innovation and economic development who are centered around 1 of 4 focus areas:

1. Transforming healthcare: Through the use of innovation and technology, your business is developing system to improve preventative healthcare and treatment.
2.   Enabling inclusive communities: If creating equal opportunity is the drive behind your business, and you’re creating solutions that will create a more inclusive economy.
3.  Supporting responsible agriculture: With your business, you are reating a sustainable food production system, eliminating food waste and increasing food security for communities.
4.  Caring for our planet: Your business is striving to implement greener practices, and solutions to reduce waste and detrimental impact on the environment.

For information on how your organization fits into one of these focus areas, learn about them here. 

Funding: Amount is based on evaluation from the advisory board of entrepreneurs.

Submission is pretty straightforward with a simple questionnaire-style form that asks for business details including key impact metrics, the problem your organization is solving, and more.

Learn more about the fund & submit an application HERE.

The Amber Grant

A grant created to remember the life of Amber Wigdahl, in the effort of supporting entrepreneurial ventures founded by women. Each month The Amber Grant awards $10,000  to a woman-owned business, with 1 of 12 winners also having the opportunity to win a $25,000 grant at the end of the year.

Dates & Deadlines: The deadline for applications for May 2021 is May 31st, 2021. Submissions reopen each month, with a deadline on the last day of the month. A $15 grant application fee applies. 

Eligibility: Eligible businesses must be 50% woman-owned, based in Canada or the U.S. and the applicant must be 18 years of age or older. Non-profits are eligible to apply. 

Funding: $10,000 CAD is awarded each month to a Woman-owned business. Other grants are awarded throughout the year ranging from $2,000-$25,000. Check out all of The Amber Grants here to see what other grants are available.

 The application process is simple and is open to all businesses and industries. As previously mentioned, there is a $15 fee for each application submitted.

Learn more about the grant & submit an application HERE.

Cassels Black-Owned Small Business Grant

Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP is a Canadian law firm that specializes in business law and works with organizations at various levels of operation. The Cassels Black-Owned Small Business Grant supports businesses that may have difficulty accessing funding due to the limitations that come with being a small business that is Black-owned. With growing diversity in the Canadian business community in mind, Cassels goal is ultimately providing economic opportunity for continued growth!  

Dates & Deadlines: The deadline for applications is May 14th, 2021.

Eligibility: Eligible businesses must be Black-owned registered businesses with a maximum of 50 employees located in Calgary, Alberta. Non-profit organizations are not eligible.

Funding: Up to $125,000 CAD worth of grant money will be awarded to recipients based on their application, plus Cassels will provide a matched amount of pro-bono legal service. 

Submissions require the completion of a 6-question application form. The questions require answers of 100-250 words which can take some time so we recommend getting started ASAP.  

Learn more about the grant & submit an application HERE.

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If you apply to any of these opportunities, let us know about the application process and how your experience was in the comments.

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