Updated March 2026 · Verified against City of Toronto / FedDev Ontario guidelines
✓ First-Timer Friendly Reimbursement Est. 2024
Grant Municipal Active

Toronto Economic Resiliency Initiative (TERI)

City of Toronto / FedDev Ontario
Maximum Funding
Up to $24,000
Check City of Toronto website
Visit Official Program →
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. Check City of Toronto website. (As of March 2026, verified against City of Toronto / FedDev Ontario program guidelines)

Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

Free

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
Provinces
Ontario
Industries
Retail Hospitality Services
Business Stage
Startup Growth

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Moderate
Competition
Low
Est. Hours
8h
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
Check City of Toronto website

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Hybrid
Competition
Low
Effort
~8 hours
Approval
Moderate
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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Approval likelihood, realistic amounts, competition level, and what winners look like
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win TERI — $19

Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.

Consultants charge $2,000–$5,000 per program. This Playbook is $19. Yours forever.
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Applying for TERI? Our Grant Proposal Template ($19) mirrors the section structure Canadian reviewers actually score on. Or get all 4 templates in the Founder Pack ($59 · saves $27) →

How to Win

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

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Insider Tip

TERI is not one grant — it is an umbrella with four sub-programs. The only one currently open to individual for-profit businesses is the Commercial Space Renovation Grant (up to $24,000 for interior renovations, 50% match). To qualify, your property must be vacant, at risk of vacancy, have received CERS, or be on a transit construction corridor. If you are near the Ontario Line or Eglinton Crosstown, you likely qualify.

Premium 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
  • Proposed renovations are exterior (covered by different program — Façade grant)
  • Applicant cannot demonstrate 50% matching co-investment
+2 more pitfalls
Premium See the most common reasons applications get rejected — before you submit yours.

Success Profile

Vacant or transit-impacted storefront operator in Toronto with at least $40,000 in planned interior renovation costs, ability to contribute 50% co-funding, and a clear business plan for occupying/reopening the space

Premium See what successful applicants for this program actually look like.

Evaluation Criteria

Eligibility-based matching grant — not a scored competition. Primary criteria: property is vacant, at risk of vacancy, received CERS, or is in a designated transit construction corridor. Applications that meet the vacancy/transit threshold and 50% co-funding commitment are generally approved.

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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

Premium 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.).
2 Gather documents Compile: application form, proof of property ownership or lease, evidence of vacancy/CERS/transit-corridor status, contractor quotes, co-funding budget, photos of existing space, business registration.
3 Obtain contractor quotes Get 2–3 quotes from licensed contractors. Grant covers 50% of the lowest approved quote.
4 Submit application Submit via City of Toronto BusinessTO portal when intake is open. Subscribe to BusinessTO newsletter for intake announcements.
5 Await approval letter City staff review for eligibility. Do not begin any work before receiving the written approval letter.
6 Complete renovation Execute approved renovation according to submitted scope. Keep all receipts and contractor invoices. Obtain all required building permits.
7 Submit completion documentation Submit final invoices, photos of completed work, and proof of co-investment. City staff may conduct a site visit.
8 Receive grant payment Payment issued after verification of project completion and co-investment. Allow 4–8 weeks from submission of completion documentation.

Required Documents 7

✓ Completed application form
✓ Proof of commercial property ownership or lease
✓ Evidence of vacancy, at-risk status, CERS history, or transit-corridor location
✓ Contractor quotes for proposed interior renovations
✓ Budget showing 50% co-funding commitment
✓ Photos of existing space
✓ Business registration documents

Eligible Expenses 9

  • Interior structural upgrades
  • Electrical work and interior lighting
  • HVAC system installation and upgrades
  • Plumbing and fixture installation
  • Interior painting
  • Flooring, ceiling, and wall finishes
  • Permanently affixed counters and merchandise displays
  • AODA accessibility improvements (ramps, accessible washrooms, door openers)
  • Architectural and engineering design fees (up to $2,000)

Ineligible Expenses 6

  • Exterior façade improvements (covered by separate Façade grant)
  • Moveable furniture, equipment, and appliances
  • Computers and IT infrastructure
  • Window coverings
  • Routine maintenance and repairs to existing elements
  • Work already completed or underway before approval

Intake Periods

Applications are currently closed. Subscribe to BusinessTO newsletter at toronto.ca for reopening announcements. Program funded by FedDev Ontario with a $4 million total TERI umbrella budget.

Deadline Notes

The Commercial Space Renovation Grant is the only TERI sub-program currently accepting applications from for-profit businesses. Transit Mitigation, Dining Districts, and Community Economic Development funds are all closed. Subscribe to BusinessTO newsletter for reopening notices.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

  • Places of worship
  • Public institutional buildings
  • Not-for-profit organizations
  • Residential-only properties
  • Franchise chains (one application per chain only)
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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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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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Stacking amounts, clawback details, government stacking limits, and tax implications
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How TERI Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

Free
Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
Toronto Economic Resiliency Initiativ... Up to $24,000 Moderate Reimbursement Check City of Toronto...
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Export Development Canada (EDC) Finan... Varies Easy Equity Ongoing
SSHRC Partnerships Up to $2.5M Hard Advance Payment Annual two-stage cycle....
Sport Canada Programs Varies Hard Reimbursement Ongoing

Related Programs

Other programs you might be eligible for

Free
Grant

Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program

Up to $12,500 (50% of costs) · Municipal
 Grant

Storefront Improvement Grant

Up to $25,000 (mid-block) or $50,000 (corner buildings with... · Municipal
 Grant

Storefront Refresh Grant

Up to $1,000 (50% of costs) · Municipal

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about TERI

Free
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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