Indigenous Business Grants Ontario: 60+ Grants & More for Aboriginal Entrepreneurs

The Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) is a $680 million program that was launched in 2019. The program aims to address the lack of charging infrastructure and hydrogen refuelling stations in Canada, one of the key barriers to zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption, by increasing the availability of localized charging and hydrogen refuelling opportunities where Canadians live, work, and play.

This Request for Proposals (RFP) targets ZEV infrastructure projects to be carried out by Indigenous organizations. Only applications that meet ZEVIP’s requirements as outlined below will be considered for funding opportunities.

The intent of the Workforce Development Stream is to strengthen and develop Northern Ontario’s workforce through business partnerships by offering internships.

The Travel component of Creating, Knowing and Sharing funds First Nations, Inuit and Métis artists provides support to First Nations, Inuit and Métis arts/cultural professionals (including artists’ representatives), cultural carriers, artistic groups, collectives and organizations working in all disciplines to help them with the travel costs incurred to attend significant events within Canada or abroad.

The Translation component of Arts Across Canada provides grants to activities linked to the translation of Canadian literary works or dramatic works into French, English, an Aboriginal (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) language, American Sign Language (ASL), Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ), or any other regional Canadian or Indigenous sign language for Canadian publication or presentation.

The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) provides $108 million over 3 years to support Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, small and medium-sized businesses and not-for-profit organizations in developing local tourism products and experiences. The program also complements supports for the tourism industry provided through other federal, provincial and territorial programs.

The Talent to Watch Program supports emerging filmmakers looking to finance the production stage of their first feature film project(s).

The Indigenous Arts Projects program is an annual multi-disciplinary project grant specifically for Indigenous artists, collectives and organizations. For the purpose of this program, “Indigenous” refers to people who self-define as a First Nations (Status or Non-status), Inuit, or Métis person of Canada. TAC recognizes Indigenous peoples are the original inhabitants of what is now known as Toronto, which has great historical and cultural significance as a place for ceremony, gathering, trade, and exchange. This program is designed to increase participation in and access to Toronto Arts Council funding by Indigenous artists, while increasing the creation and presentation of high-quality Indigenous art in the City. The City of Toronto supports this program through a funding allocation approved annually by Toronto City Council.

The program recognizes a diverse range of art practices. You may apply in one of four categories described below. Grants awarded may be less than the full amount requested. With the exception of the Project Development and Creation categories, TAC will not fund 100% of a project: applicants must indicate other revenue sources, which may include donated goods and services.

The Publishing Support sub-component of the Canada Book Fund (CBF) assists the ongoing production, marketing and distribution of Canadian-authored books. Supplementary funding based on export sales is also available as part of Publishing Support.

The Strategic Partnerships Initiative (SPI) helps Indigenous communities participate in complex economic opportunities.
SPI promotes partnerships between federal and non-federal groups in key economic areas. This allows SPI to support opportunities that are not eligible for other federal funding. SPI initiatives can span multiple years, have regional economic impacts and serve multiple communities.

Seed Grants provide seed funding to kickstart small-scale innovation activities that explore and develop capacity, partnerships, and promising innovation ideas.

This component supports small-scale activities intended to explore and develop innovation projects that address systemic issues in the arts sector. Projects must respond to key strategic areas intended to rebuild a more resilient, sustainable, equitable, accessible, greener, healthier, and connected arts sector.

Cultivate Grants provide funding to implement, pilot and prototype innovation projects that address systemic issues and benefit the broader arts sector.

This component provides support for future-oriented innovation projects that address systemic issues in the arts sector and help rebuild a more resilient, sustainable, equitable, accessible, greener, healthier, and connected arts sector.

The Small-Scale Activities component of Creating, Knowing and Sharing provides funding to First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals, artistic groups, collectives and organizations working in all disciplines for activities that will advance their artistic career or practice. This may include acquiring materials for artistic production, engaging in career or artistic development activities or benefitting from specific expertise, advice or training from a professional artist or cultural carrier.

The Skode Program will match 3 Finalists with a mentor and provide a $5,000 non-repayable financial contribution to advance their new Indigenous culinary tourism ideas to the next level.

This program supports Ontario-based Indigenous arts professionals and arts professionals of colour, or ad hoc groups and collectives made up of Indigenous arts professionals or arts professionals of colour for professional development and skill-building opportunities that advance applicants’ work and careers. It funds all contemporary and traditional art practices that are supported at OAC. Projects can include: study and training, mentorship, internship and apprenticeship and documentation of art work.

The Sector Innovation and Development component of Supporting Artistic Practice provides grants to projects by Canadian and First Nations, Inuit and Métis arts professionals, cultural connectors, groups, and organizations. These projects must grow and improve the arts sector.

The Public Outreach component of Arts Across Canada provides grants to support activities of Canadian groups and organizations, as well as professionals in architecture, that contribute to the public appreciation and enjoyment of the arts. Grants fund a wide range of live events, publications and other initiatives that build connections between artists and diverse audiences.

The Professional Development for Arts Professionals component of Supporting Artistic Practice supports the career growth of Canadian arts professionals by encouraging knowledge-sharing and participation in a wide range of development opportunities. Grants fund activities that contribute to the advancement of Canadian arts professionals.

The program supports Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) artists to research, develop and create new work and engage with their communities, as well as opportunities for Indigenous organizations and communities to strengthen their relationships with the arts.

Through their Challenge programs, the NRC is partnering with private and public sector, academic and other research organizations in Canada and internationally to advance transformative, high-risk, high-reward research that address Canadian priorities.
These R&D programs bring together researchers and facilities from across the NRC’s 14 research centres, with academic and industrial partners.

The opportunities for collaboration are in any of the following areas:
1. Pandemic Response – to address challenges requiring further R&D for solutions to meet COVID-19-related needs;
2. Materials for Clean Fuels – to develop new materials for clean and sustainable sources of energy;
3. High-throughput and Secure Networks – to develop high-performance, rapid and secure communication for rural and remote communities;
4. Artificial Intelligence for Design – to improve the quality of life of older adults and their personal caregivers through innovation that will support safe and healthy aging;
5. Disruptive Technology Solutions for Cell and Gene Therapy – to improve the quality of life of older adults and their personal caregivers through innovation that will support safe and healthy aging;
6. Aging in Place – to improve the quality of life of older adults and their personal caregivers through innovation that will support safe and healthy aging;
7. Internet of Things: Quantum Sensors – to develop revolutionary sensors that could be engineered and commercialized for applications in the environment, natural resources, health care, and defence.
8. Arctic and Northern – to address pressing issues impacting the quality of life of northern peoples;
9. Applied Quantum Computing – to support commercial and government innovations in quantum algorithms and applied quantum computing.

The New Relationship Fund (NRF) supports First Nations, Métis communities, and Indigenous organizations efforts to:
– build consultation and engagement capacity and expertise
– create jobs
– develop business partnerships
– improve economic opportunities

Mitacs Accelerate Fellowship provides a long-term funding and internship option for master’s and PhD students. Recipients can also access professional development training that helps them ensure project success and gain in-demand career skills.

The Market Access Strategy for Official Language Minority Communities (OLMC) Fund aims to increase access of applicants from OLMCs to a diversity of markets and publics.

This fund supports Canadian professional artists, arts professionals, artistic groups and arts organizations who self-identify as belonging to an OLMC (defined as groups of people whose maternal or chosen official language is not the majority language in their province or territory – in other words, Anglophones in Quebec and Francophones outside of Quebec).

The Long-Term Projects component of Creating, Knowing and Sharing funds First Nations, Inuit and Métis professional artists, cultural carriers, arts/cultural professionals, groups, collectives and arts/culture organizations. Grants provide support for any combination of eligible Creating, Knowing and Sharing activities for projects lasting more than 1 year, up to 3 years.

First-time applicants are strongly encouraged to speak to a Program Officer to determine project eligibility before applying.

Under the Industrial Facility track, eligible projects include those that support the implementation of energy efficiency and energy management solutions. These activities are intended for industrial facilities that are engaged in energy consuming processes that involve the physical or chemical transformation of materials or substances into new products.

The intent of the Indigenous Workforce Development Stream is to strengthen and develop Northern Ontario’s Indigenous workforce through business partnerships by offering internships to Indigenous persons.

The program supports Ontario-based First Nations, Inuit, and Métis artists working in the visual arts, crafts or traditional/customary Indigenous art forms to create artwork. Grants of $500 help cover the cost of buying art materials and supplies.This is a third-party recommender program. Artists apply to the Indigenous organizations designated as recommenders for the program. Recommenders assess applications and submit grant recommendations to OAC.

The Creating, Knowing and Sharing program provides grants to support activities in three broad areas:
1. Creating provides support for research, production and creation of new works of art. 2. Knowing provides support for the retention, maintenance, innovation and transmittal of cultural knowledge and creative practice.
3. Sharing provides support for the dissemination, exhibition, presentation and distribution of works of art by First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, which enrich and engage communities in Canada and abroad.

The objectives of the Indigenous Languages Component—First Nations Languages Funding Model are to:
support the efforts of First Nations communities and First Nations-led organizations to reclaim, revitalize, maintain and strengthen their First Nations languages; and,
create new First Nations language speakers, increase fluency, immersion opportunities, use of First Nations languages, and the documentation of all First Nations languages.
The Indigenous Languages Component also contributes to the broader objectives of the Indigenous Languages Program with respect to First Nations languages.

The Indigenous Forestry Initiative (IFI) provides funding to support Indigenous-led economic development in Canada’s forestry sector. Benefits of the program include:
1. increased Indigenous participation in forestry-related opportunities, businesses, careers and governance;
2. increased engagement and economic development for Indigenous communities and peoples involved in the forest sector;
3. increased investment and collaboration between Indigenous peoples and other natural resource development stakeholders, including governments, industry and non-governmental organizations.

The Indigenous Economic Development Fund (IEDF) provides grants and financing to Indigenous entrepreneurs, businesses, communities and organizations. The fund helps promote economic development and improve employment opportunities for Indigenous people.

The Indigenous Community Capital Grants Program (ICCGP) funds the development of community capital projects that contribute to a sustainable social base and support economic participation in Indigenous communities, both on and off reserve.

Indigenous Artists in Communities and Schools Projects is a multidisciplinary program supporting projects that bring together Ontario-based, professional Indigenous artists and arts professionals in communities and schools to provide access to the arts and create meaningful art experiences that transmit Indigenous artistic skills and cultural knowledge to participants.

The Indigenous Art Collection in Gatineau, Quebec is one of the most significant public art collections of contemporary Indigenous art in Canada. Since the early 1960s, the Indigenous Art Centre has been collecting works by living artists to create a unique collection that represents the artistic practices of community-based and urban Indigenous artists throughout Canada.

The Ontario Creates-CMF IDM Futures Forward Program is a partnership with Ontario Creates and the Canada Media Fund (CMF) that provides funding for early-stage project-related development.

This program seeks to support companies that often have barriers to accessing project funding and to support the very beginning of a project’s creative process with the objective of giving a project a better chance to succeed in future stages of funding.

ECCC’s Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP) provides grants for projects submitted by Canadians that contribute directly to the recovery objectives and population goals of species at risk listed on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) and that prevent others from becoming a conservation concern.

The Industrial Facility track offers financial assistance for projects that enhance energy efficiency. You could receive up to 50% of eligible costs (up to 100% for Indigenous or not-for-profit organizations), from a minimum of $40,000 to a maximum of $10 million per proposal. Eligible recipients are Canadian facilities engaged in energy-consuming processes that transform materials into new products. Apply now for the opportunity to make your facility more energy-efficient with the Industrial Facility track.

ECCC’s Great Lakes Protection Initiative: Restoring Areas of Concern provides grants to businesses seeking to implement projects that will restore water quality and ecosystem health in Canadian Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs).

The ARTicipate Events and Performance Grant supports public-facing artistic presentation and activity at the Shenkman Arts Centre.

For provinces, territories, utilities and Indigenous organizations with sufficient capacity and experience.

The Energy Efficiency Solutions Track supports the industrial energy efficiency initiatives undertaken by those entities that align with Government of Canada objectives. Under the Energy Efficiency Solutions Track, eligible projects include those that support the implementation of energy efficiency and energy management solutions. These activities are intended for industrial facilities that are engaged in energy consuming processes that involve the physical or chemical transformation of materials or substances into new products.

The Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF) is a national, competitive, merit-based contribution program. The DMAF is aimed at strengthening the resilience of Canadian communities through investments in infrastructure projects, including natural infrastructure projects, enabling them to better manage the risk associated with current and future natural hazards, such as floods, wildfires and droughts.

DFO’s Indigenous Marine Servicing Initiative (IMSI) is designed to increase Indigenous participation in the marine industry supply chain, which supports Indigenous communities and commercial fishing enterprises (CFEs) that want to expand and diversify into Indigenous marine-related service industries.

DFO’s Ecosystems and Oceans Science Contribution Framework provides funding to build expertise in ocean and freshwater science and technology in areas that support the mission of the Department to increase its understanding of ocean and freshwater environments. Through this, DFO seeks to better protect, sustain and restore fisheries resources as well as the aquatic ecosystems that support them.

The program funds the work of Ontario-based Indigenous curators and curators who are people of colour. It aims to increase the ability of Ontario public galleries, artist-run centres and other organizations to present projects by Indigenous curators and curators who are people of colour in contexts determined by the participants. The program supports relationship building between curators, galleries, and audiences. The program has two categories:

Curatorial projects by Indigenous curators
Curatorial projects by curators who are people of colour

The ARTicipate Creation and Development grant supports the exploration, experimentation, and development of new artistic work for one week in the Richcraft Theatre at the Shenkman Arts Centre.

The Cooperation with the Community Sector subcomponent supports engagement by community organizations and strengthens their ability to act while encouraging innovation and excellence.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation component of the Commemorate Canada program provides funding (up to a maximum of $10,000 per organization) to eligible recipients for initiatives that increase awareness and commemorate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30).

The Co-productions component of Arts Abroad provides grants to support the realization of new works or exhibitions developed by Canadian artistic groups and arts organizations in partnership with foreign arts organizations. Support is for artistic co-productions or financial co-productions.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada launched the Global Innovation Clusters to support business-led innovation and large-scale collaboration among industry leaders, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and post‑secondary institutions, to develop and scale high-potential technologies in advanced manufacturing, agri‑food, clean technology, digital technology, health, bioscience and clean resources, infrastructure and transportation.
Cluster support programs:
1. Advanced manufacturing (Funded collaborative R&D in support of Canada’s Next Generation Manufacturing cluster. automation and robotics; machine vision; inspection and sensors; simulations and modelling; additive manufacturing; and advanced materials manufacturing);
2. Digital Health and Geospatial Analytics (Funded collaborative R&D in support of Canada’s Digital Technology Supercluster in the areas of: Artificial intelligence and digital enablement for health – using artificial intelligence and digital technologies to improve healthcare delivery and connect it to real-world, evidence-based clinical research; and Geospatial Analytics – using digital geospatial technologies to solve compelling challenges in areas such as agriculture, forestry, environmental monitoring, transportation, and clean energy);
3. Ocean (Funded collaborative R&D in support of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster in the areas of: bio assets; intelligent ocean assets; coastal resilience; and pollution remediation);
4. Sustainable Protein Production (Funded collaborative R&D in support of Canada’s Protein Industries Supercluster in the areas of: genetics and genomics; pre‑breeding crop development and plant technologies; microalgal and macroalgal protein; microbial communities; processing and ingredients; food safety, traceability and sustainability);
5. Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Logistics (Funded collaborative R&D in support of Canada’s AI- Powered Supply Chains Supercluster (Scale AI) in the areas of: transportation and warehousing; condition of infrastructure and goods; cybersecurity for logistics; and Canadian logistics AI‑powered modelling.

We recognize the unique opportunity clean fuels present for Indigenous businesses and communities and encourage Indigenous participation on all projects. We have designed a distinct process with measures to increase funding of Indigenous-led clean production capacity projects in Canada.

The Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF) is a $6 billion fund that aims to accelerate new construction, rehabilitation and expansion of housing-enabling drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste infrastructure, directly supporting the creation of new housing supply and improved densification.

The Atlantic Fisheries Fund is intended to help the fish and seafood sector in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island to transition to meet the growing demand for seafood globally. Its aim is to bring high value, high quality and sustainable products to markets at home and around the world.
It supports: innovation to encourage new products and technologies, infrastructure to encourage capital investments in new products, processes or technologies, and science partnerships between industry, academia, and other research institutions to improve knowledge.

The program supports the research, development and realization of community-engaged arts projects in Ontario. Activities involve professional Ontario artists and community members working together to design, develop and realize collective creative experiences.

ARTicipate grants are intended to spark and support artistic activity at the Shenkman Arts Centre. The ARTicipate LaLande + Doyle Exhibition Space Grant supports public presentation and exhibition by visual artists and visual arts groups within the Shenkman Arts Centre’s LaLlande + Doyle Exhibition Space. This may include individual, collaborative, or group exhibitions.

This Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund supports efforts that will help prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species.

Priority will be given to projects to focus on:
improving relationships with provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples and key stakeholders
involving multiple partners
providing Canadians with tools to take action on aquatic invasive species
monitoring and prevention of aquatic invasive species

The Agricultural Workforce Equity and Diversity Initiative (the Initiative) provides funding to organizations to support underrepresented groups in starting or growing their own business in the agri-food sector.

This option of the Affordable Housing Fund provides low-interest repayable loans, forgivable loans, and contributions to renovate and repair affordable and community housing. The Fund prioritizes partnerships between governments, non-profits, private sector and other partners.

To qualify, you need to partner with a level of government to ensure a coordination of investments.

The Affordable Housing Fund focuses on developing and repairing affordable and socially inclusive housing that is mixed-income and mixed-use.

The Community Housing Sub-Stream supports the construction of new affordable housing supply. Eligible projects include mixed-income and mixed-use developments that integrate supports and services. CMHC requires projects to meet specific affordability, energy efficiency and accessibility outcomes.

“ECCC’s Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR) supports the development of Indigenous capacity to participate actively in the implementation of the Species at Risk Act (SARA).
AFSAR provides grants to projects seeking to support and promote the conservation, protection and recovery of target species and their habitats on Indigenous lands or lands where traditional food, social, and ceremonial activities are carried out by Indigenous peoples.”

This program promotes entrepreneurship in Indigenous communities and seeks to increase the number of viable Indigenous-owned businesses. The program has 2 components: access to capital and business opportunities.
The Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program: Access to Capital provides Indigenous businesses with access to non-repayable contributions of up to $99,999 for: supporting eligible business proposals and leveraging additional funds.

This program promotes entrepreneurship in Indigenous communities and seeks to increase the number of viable Indigenous-owned businesses. The program has 2 components: access to capital and business opportunities.
The Access to Business Opportunities stream provides national level funding to promote a culture of entrepreneurship through national Indigenous organizations to improve access to business opportunities and to enhance the capacity of Indigenous businesses. Support will vary depending upon the needs of the recipient, the availability and sources of funding, the eligibility of costs, the economic benefits, and the project viability.