Updated July 2026 · Verified against Scotiabank guidelines
Lump Sum Est. 2021
Grant Private Active

ScotiaRISE Community Investment Grants

Scotiabank
Maximum Funding
$25K–$150K typical · up to $1.5M for institutional partnerships
Ongoing — rolling intake throughout the year
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Moderate
Payment
Lump Sum
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
—
Co-Funding
Varies
ScotiaRISE Community Investment Grants provides up to $25K–$150K typical · up to $1.5M for institutional partnerships. ScotiaRISE is Scotiabank's 10-year, $500 million community investment commitment — launched in 2021 and now dated to 2030 — delivered in part through open-intake community investment grants to CRA-registered charities and non-profits across Canada. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
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Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

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Program Description

ScotiaRISE is Scotiabank's 10-year, $500 million community investment commitment — launched in 2021 and now dated to 2030 — delivered in part through open-intake community investment grants to CRA-registered charities and non-profits across Canada. The program operates on a rolling intake with applications reviewed throughout the year; Scotiabank asks applicants to allow at least 90 days for a response. Beginning in 2026, ScotiaRISE is guided by a refreshed strategic framework anchored in four pillars: Education (equipping disadvantaged youth with the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to thrive amid challenges), Employment (creating inclusive employment and entrepreneurship opportunities to enhance financial security for individuals and families), Community Needs & Cohesion (strengthening community resources to meet basic needs and to promote participation in social and economic life), and Resilient Economy (supporting social, environmental, and technological initiatives that promote economic growth and sustainability). Grant size varies widely from $25,000 for smaller community organizations to $1.5M+ for larger institutional partnerships, making it one of the most expansive corporate grant programs accessible to Canadian non-profits.

Eligibility Requirements

  • CRA-registered charity or non-profit organization
  • Must operate in a country where Scotiabank conducts business (Canadian organizations eligible)
  • Programs must fit at least one of ScotiaRISE's four 2026 pillars: Education, Employment, Community Needs & Cohesion, or Resilient Economy
  • Organization must demonstrate a sustained achievement record with measurable impact
  • Programs must show alignment with ScotiaRISE's strategic focus areas
  • Employee engagement opportunities for Scotiabank staff are viewed positively but not required
Provinces
All Provinces
Industries
All
Business Stage
Startup Growth Established

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Moderate
Competition
Moderate
First-Timer
Not rated

Funding Details

Amount
$25K–$150K typical · up to $1.5M for institutional partnerships
Type
Grant
Level
Private
Deadline
Ongoing — rolling intake throughout the year

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
Moderate
Deadline
Ongoing
Approval
Varies
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win ScotiaRISE Community Investment Grants

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How to Win

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

ScotiaRISE application reviewers look for organizations with a sustained achievement record — vague impact claims without data will not advance.

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Success Profile

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Evaluation Criteria

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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

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Application Steps

1 Review guidelines and confirm eligibility Read the full ScotiaRISE funding guidelines at the program URL. Confirm CRA registration, that your program fits one of the four pillars (Education, Employment, Community Needs & Cohesion, Resilient Economy), and that your organization does not currently hold a Scotiabank pledge.

Required Documents 6

✓ Organization description including goals, mission, and major achievements
✓ Full project description with budget, expected outcome, benefits to end users, defined metrics, and recognition plan

Eligible Expenses 6

Ineligible Expenses 6

Intake Periods

Deadline Notes

Ineligible Organizations

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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) community programs Provincial newcomer settlement funding (e.g., Ontario IRCC-funded settlement agencies) United Way grants
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Low Risk

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How ScotiaRISE Community Investment Grants Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
ScotiaRISE Community Investment Grants up to $1.5M Moderate Lump Sum Ongoing — rolling intake...
Industrial Research Assistance Progra... Up to $1M Moderate Reimbursement Ongoing
CanExport SMEs Up to $50,000 Moderate Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Applications accepted...
Youth Employment and Skills Program Up to $25K Hard Advance Payment Between intakes —...
Innovative Solutions Canada up to $150,000 Hard Milestone-Based Challenge-specific — new...

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about ScotiaRISE Community Investment Grants

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Can sole proprietors apply for ScotiaRISE grants?
No — only CRA-registered charities and non-profits are eligible. Sole proprietors, for-profit businesses, and individual pursuits cannot apply.
What's the realistic grant size for first-time applicants?
$25,000–$75,000. Most first-time applicants receive $25,000–$100,000, but the realistic range for new applicants is $25,000–$75,000 unless they have a strong track record.
Do I need to provide audited financials?
No. Scotiabank's funding guidelines ask for current financial statements, not audited ones. Include your most recent year's statements.
Can I stack ScotiaRISE with other government grants?
Yes — compatible with ESDC community programs and provincial newcomer settlement funding. Disclose all confirmed government funding in your budget to avoid conflicts.
Why do most applications get rejected?
Programs that don't fit one of the four ScotiaRISE pillars (Education, Employment, Community Needs & Cohesion, Resilient Economy), missing financial statements or board list, or vague impact metrics without data. Applications must show measurable outcomes.

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