Comprehensive guide to 14 social enterprise funding programs in Ontario
Businesses in Ontario can access 14 specialized social enterprise programs combining federal and provincial funding opportunities.
Organization: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $50 million
Supports large-scale, transformative and collaborative projects between industry, researchers and non-profit organizations that help grow Canada's economy.
Organization: City of Toronto
Level: municipal
Amount: Up to $50,000
Supports innovative and revitalization projects for main street business areas through grants to Business Improvement Areas and non-profits for creative solutions to local challenges.
Organization: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $500,000
Supported community-led projects that create jobs and economic opportunities in communities across Canada (program now closed).
Organization: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Supports business growth, innovation and community economic development in Southern Ontario through various contribution funding programs.
Organization: Canadian Heritage
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Offers numerous grants and contributions programs supporting culture, heritage, official languages, Indigenous languages and sport (e.g., Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, Canada Book Fund, Athlete Assistance Program, etc.).
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $10 million
A federal initiative to support innovative approaches to social challenges, including a $755 million fund to fund, finance, and support social purpose organizations (currently rolling out).
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $100,000 (small projects stream)
Supports capital projects that improve accessibility in workplaces and community spaces for people with disabilities through grants for renovations, retrofits or accessible technologies.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $25,000 (community stream)
Supports projects that empower seniors, encourage social participation and inclusion of seniors, and improve their quality of life, including small community-based grants and larger pan-Canadian projects.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Former federal program that funded community projects to reduce homelessness, now replaced by Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy as of 2019.
Organization: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $15,000 per participant (wage subsidy)
Provides funding to organizations to create internships that offer underemployed youth training and work experience in digital skills, helping them transition to careers in the digital economy.
Organization: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Level: federal
Amount: Varies (Repayable Contribution)
Provides interest-free, repayable contributions to help small and medium-sized enterprises in Atlantic Canada grow, improve productivity, and become more competitive.
Organization: City of Ottawa
Level: municipal
Amount: $5,000 - $50,000
Provides financial support to non-profit agencies for new or expanded projects that assist targeted residents (e.g., youth, newcomers, persons with disabilities) to overcome obstacles to creating new jobs and/or new enterprises.
Organization: Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC)
Level: federal
Amount: Varies
Part of the federal 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program, this fund provides funding to not-for-profit business-support organizations to deliver projects that help 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs develop skills and access resources.
Organization: Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)
Level: federal
Amount: Up to $75,000
Helps social purpose organizations (social enterprises, non-profits, charities, co-ops) build their capacity to participate in the social finance market and prepare for investment.