Grant
Municipal
Between Intakes
Toronto Economic Resiliency Initiative (TERI)
City of Toronto / FedDev Ontario
Maximum Funding
Up to $24,000
Annual — the Commercial Space Renovation Grant 2026 intake ran June 1-5, 2026...
Difficulty
Moderate
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
50%
Toronto Economic Resiliency Initiative (TERI) provides Up to $24,000 per business (Commercial Space Renovation Grant: $20,000 base + $4,000 AODA bonus). Up to $4 million federal investment supporting Toronto small businesses with space improvements, BIA support during transit construction, outdoor dining expansion, and equity-deserving business development. The program covers up to 50% of eligible costs. Annual — the Commercial Space Renovation Grant 2026 intake ran June 1-5, 2026 and is now closed; 2027 date TBD. (The TERI umbrella initiative remains active.).
Approval odds: ~30–50% (GrantCompass analysis)
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
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Program Description
Up to $4 million federal investment supporting Toronto small businesses with space improvements, BIA support during transit construction, outdoor dining expansion, and equity-deserving business development.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be based in the City of Toronto
- Eligible entity types: small businesses, Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), and not-for-profit organizations
- Project must relate to space improvements, transit construction impact mitigation, outdoor dining, or equity-deserving business development
- Must operate in the retail, hospitality, or community-facing sector
- Available only to businesses located within the City of Toronto.
Provinces
Industries
Business Stage
Quick Assessment
Difficulty
Moderate
Competition
Low
First-Timer
Friendly
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $24,000 per business (Commercial Space Renovation Grant: $20,000 base + $4,000 AODA bonus)
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Municipal
- Co-Funding
- Up to 50% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Annual — the Commercial Space Renovation Grant 2026 intake ran June 1-5, 2026 and is now closed; 2027 date TBD. (The TERI umbrella initiative remains active.)
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Competition
Low
Deadline
Between Intakes
Approval
Moderate
Approval Rate
~30–50%
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
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What's in this Playbook
Everything you need to win TERI
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 5 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 7-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 8-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 3-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
$19 covers this one program. $39/mo covers every program, plus the workspace that walks you through each application.
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
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Insider TipTERI is not one grant — it is an umbrella with four sub-programs.
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See what trips up most applicants for this program — and how to avoid it.
Rejection Pitfalls 5
- Property does not meet vacancy, CERS, or transit-corridor eligibility threshold
+4 more pitfalls
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Success Profile
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Evaluation Criteria
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Don’t lose this one to a preventable rejection
5 reasons applications get rejected, what winners look like, and exactly what reviewers score on
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
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8 steps
7 docs
Application Steps
1
Confirm eligibility Verify property is vacant, at risk of vacancy, was a CERS recipient, or is in a designated transit construction corridor (Ontario Line, Eglinton Crosstown, etc.).
Required Documents 7
✓ Completed application form
✓ Proof of commercial property ownership or lease
Eligible Expenses 9
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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3 partners
Compatible Programs
Commercial Façade Improvement Grant (City of Toronto
Main Street Innovation Fund (for BIAs/non-profits in Little Jamaica
Ontario Small Business Support Grant
Combined Funding Potential
See your total funding potential
Clawback Risk
Low Risk
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How TERI Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
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| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Economic Resiliency Initiativ... | Up to $24,000 | Moderate | Reimbursement | Annual — the Commercial... |
| CanExport SMEs | Up to $50,000 | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Applications accepted... |
| Export Development Canada (EDC) Finan... | Varies | Easy | Equity | Ongoing |
| SSHRC Partnerships | Up to $2.5M | Hard | Advance Payment | Partnership Grants:... |
| Creative Export Canada | Up to $2,500,000 | Hard | Varies | Annual Calls |
Related Programs
Other programs you might be eligible for
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about TERI
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Can sole proprietors apply for the Commercial Space Renovation Grant?
Yes, sole proprietors qualify as long as they meet all eligibility criteria: Toronto-based, retail/hospitality sector, and property meets vacancy/transit corridor requirements. Must provide 50% matching funds.
What's the realistic max award for interior renovations?
Up to $24,000: $20,000 base + $4,000 AODA bonus for accessible renovations. Requires $40,000 in total renovation costs (50% match).
Why do most applications get rejected?
Most fail because property doesn't meet vacancy/CERS/transit corridor criteria, or applicant can't prove 50% matching funds. Exterior renovations are also rejected (use Façade Grant instead).
Do I get paid upfront or on reimbursement?
Reimbursement only: Pay contractors first, submit receipts after project completion. Requires 50% upfront co-funding from business.
Can I stack this with other grants?
Yes: Combine with Commercial Façade Grant (exterior work) or Main Street Innovation Fund (BIAs). Ontario Small Business Support Grant may be stackable if available.
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Full Playbook: TERI
8 steps · 7 docs · reviewer insights