ScotiaRISE Community Investment Grants

Insider Tip

ScotiaRISE application reviewers look for organizations with a sustained achievement record — vague impact claims without data will not advance. Quantify your reach: number of individuals served, completion rates, income change or employment outcomes, and geographic scope. If you can offer a meaningful Scotiabank employee volunteer opportunity (e.g., mentoring sessions, skills workshops, site visits), include it — this is explicitly noted in their review criteria and gives the application a distinct business-case angle for Scotiabank's internal champion. Request amounts at the lower end of what you need for a first application; a successful smaller grant builds the relationship for larger future asks.

Success Profile

A mid-sized newcomer settlement organization or Indigenous economic development organization that has been operating for 5+ years, serves a clearly defined disadvantaged population, has current financial statements, and is seeking $50,000–$150,000 to expand an employment-skills or entrepreneurship-access program. The organization has quantifiable impact data from previous program cycles and can demonstrate community engagement capacity (mentoring, financial literacy workshops, volunteer programs).

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are assessed on strategic alignment with one of ScotiaRISE's four pillars (Education, Employment, Community Needs & Cohesion, Resilient Economy), demonstrated organizational achievement record and governance, clarity and credibility of impact metrics, project budget quality and financial health, and potential for Scotiabank employee engagement. Requests are reviewed at regional committee level for smaller amounts and national committee level for larger institutional requests; Scotiabank asks applicants to allow at least 90 days for a response.

Application Steps

Required Documents 6

Eligible Expenses 6

• Program staff wages and contractor fees for program delivery
• Training and curriculum development materials
• Technology and digital tools for program participants
• Outreach and recruitment activities targeting disadvantaged populations
• Program-specific operational costs directly tied to funded activities
• Evaluation and impact-measurement activities

Ineligible Expenses 6

• General organizational overhead not tied to the funded program
• Capital campaigns and infrastructure
• Fundraising events
• Political or advocacy activities
• Programs that do not fit any of ScotiaRISE's four pillars (Education, Employment, Community Needs & Cohesion, Resilient Economy)
• Scholarships or bursaries for individuals

Intake Periods

Continuous rolling intake throughout the year — no annual window or fixed deadline. Allow at least 90 days for a response.

Deadline Notes

ScotiaRISE operates with a continuous rolling intake — there is no annual window or fixed deadline. Applications are reviewed throughout the year, and Scotiabank's guidelines ask applicants to allow at least 90 days for a response. You may apply at any time, but plan on a 90-day minimum before expecting to hear back — 90 days is a floor, not a service commitment.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

• For-profit businesses
• Individuals and individual pursuits
• Service and private clubs and organizations — unless the applicant is a Registered Charity and the program is open to everyone
• Sports teams — unless the funding is pursuant to a Scotiabank local support program
• Religious organizations — unless the funded program is open to all regardless of faith, race or sexual orientation and does not incorporate religious teachings or participation in religious services/rites
• Political organizations, including political parties, campaigns, advocacy and lobby groups
• Private foundations and corporate foundations
• Private schools (private, charter or independent fee-based schools), and public pre-schools, elementary or secondary schools
• Individual member agencies of federated appeals (e.g. United Way locals) — unless not otherwise supported by Scotiabank's annual fundraising campaign or corporate commitment
• Charitable organizations with which Scotiabank is already in a pledge position

Compatible Programs

Clawback Risk

Low Risk

No formal clawback mechanism identified. Standard expectation that funds are used for stated program purposes. Multi-year grants may include annual performance checkpoints.