Funding Programs and Incentives

Canada Summer Jobs Wage Subsidy (CLOSED until Nov 2025)

Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) is an annual program that provides wage subsidies to employers from not-for-profit organizations, public sector, and private sector organizations with 50 or fewer full-time employees, to create quality summer work experiences for young people aged 15 to 30 years.

Applications will open up again in November 2025. Check back for details.

For more information on the program click here.

Community Development Corporations - Business Loans 

Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) support community economic development by assisting communities to strengthen and diversify their economies. As a community-based, not-for-profit, organization, the CFDCs are run by a board of local volunteers and staffed by professionals who encourage entrepreneurship and the pursuit of economic opportunities.

The CFDCs are supported by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario and offer the following services:

• strategic community planning and socio-economic development;
• support for community-based projects;
• business support services; and
• access to financing.

Dairy Processing Modernization Initiative

The purpose of the Initiative is to provide cost-share support to Dairy Processors for equipment upgrades that create or increase processing efficiencies and/or improve food safety. 

A Recipient is eligible to be approved for 50% of Eligible Costs up to a maximum of $200,000 in funding under the Initiative.

The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. EST November 30, 2025, or until funding runs out — whichever comes first.

For more information, visit the program website. 

DELIA Microloan for Women-Owned Business

DELIA offers $15,000 microloans to Women-owned businesses in Canada with an attractive term sheet, and prioritizes diverse, intersectional and under-served Women.

Successful DELIA applicants will be contacted by a member of the DELIA team who will organize an onboarding and orientation session.

Select DELIA loan recipients may benefit from additional 1:1 mentoring and support including business advisory, networking and referrals, group-based training and workshops and other supports.

Click here for more information. 

Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) (CLOSED)

The Eastern Ontario Development Fund provides support for projects and investments to businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in eastern Ontario.

• funding support
• complementary services and support

• create jobs and build talent
• attract and encourage private sector investment
• lead to business growth and broad positive economic impacts
• encourage innovation, collaboration and cluster development

EDC Loan Guarantee for Small and Medium Sized Businesses

• EDC guarantees a new one-year term or operating line of credit for 80% of its value, up to $6.25M allowing businesses to deal with payroll and operating cost issues and enabling their financial institution to take on less risk. Available for all Canadian companies, including non-exporting businesses that sell domestically.
• Apply now.

Futurpreneur Canada

• Financing and mentoring to aspiring business owners aged 18-39 to launch successful businesses across Canada.
• Up to $75,000 in financing (in partnership with the BDC), an expert business mentor for up to two years, and resources to help you plan, manage and grow your business.
• Collateral-free loans at better interest rates than most banks.
• For more information on eligibility or to apply, visit the Futurpreneur Canada website.

Grassroots Growth Initiative

The objectives of the GGI are to:

• increase public engagement and support for agriculture, local food and rural development
• build youth leadership capacity and increase youth involvement in the agri-food sector
• enhance safety and risk management practices in the agri-food sector
• strengthen public trust and public knowledge about Ontario’s agri-food systems
• encourage agri-food and rural development outcomes

For full details about the program and application process, visit the Grassroots Growth Initiative website.

Labour Force Management Strategies Initiative

• innovative attraction strategies
• recruitment strategies
• retention strategies

You must be one of the following:

• a primary producer
• a processor
• an industry organization

Projects must include at least one of the following activities:

• piloting incremental worker supports
• piloting incremental recruitment strategies in Ontario
• development of new or incremental human resource policies and programs
• planning for certain on-site amenities for employees

Funding

You could get 50% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of $40,000 in funding for a project under the Initiative.

For industry organizations or collaborations between 2 or more businesses, you could get up to 50% of eligible costs, up to a maximum of $100,000 in funding for a project under the Initiative.

Deadline: September 2, 2025. 

For more information, visit the website.

Landing-Pad Accelerator Program for Newcomer and Female Entrepreneurs

Spark Centre, in partnership with Launch Lab and PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise, and funded by the Government of Canada through FedDev Ontario, the Landing-Pad Accelerator Program is offering $10,000 grants — but only for eligible female-led founders and newcomer startups in the EN3 sectors (Energy, Environment, and Engineering).

Aside from the $10,000 accelerator grant, program perks include a customized action plan, dedicated advisors, targeted workshops and masterclasses, support in protecting IP assets, access to networking, industry partners and so much more. 

Take this short quiz to find out if you're eligible: https://sparkcentre.org/landing-pad-accelerator-program-questionnaire/

Questions? Please contact info@sparkcentre.org 

Ontario Together Trade Fund

The Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) provides financial support to help businesses near-term investments so they can serve more interprovincial customers, develop new markets and re-shore critical supply chains in the face of U.S. tariffs. With a focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the program will help businesses, build local capacity, enhance trade resiliency, and make the necessary investments to successfully expand into new markets.

Projects must address the impacts of U.S. trade disruptions and align with Ontario’s key economic priorities, including:

Trade diversity:

• Diversifying sales portfolios: Expanding market reach to new markets, with a focus on interprovincial trade.

Trade security:

• Enhancing competitiveness: Increasing manufacturing capacity and capabilities and increasing profitability through investments in advanced technology and innovative processes.
• Contributing to regional and sectoral ecosystems: Strengthening Ontario’s supply chains through reshoring and efforts to procure more equipment and supplies from Ontario and Canada.
• Creating and or retaining jobs

To be eligible, businesses need to:

• operate within Ontario
• have at least three years of operations/financial statements (refer to Operating Experience section in program guidelines to determine financial statement requirements)
• employ at least 5 full time equivalent (FTE’s) active employees
• demonstrate any of the following impacts due to the imposition of U.S. tariffs:
  • operates in a sector extensively targeted by U.S. tariffs (for example, steel sector, auto sector, aluminum)
  • significant exposure to trade risk (for example, revenue loss of 30% or higher), or pivoting operations to supply a customer that is looking to replace a current supplier due to tariffs
    
    The application intake period will be open on April 23, 2025. The intake period is continuous which means applicants can submit their application any time while the program is open.
    
    For more information visit the program website. 

RTO9 Tourism Partnership Program (CLOSED for 2025)

RTO 9’s Partnership Fund initiative is available to tourism businesses and is designed to introduce new tourism products and build on existing tourism products that enhance the region’s diversity of tourism attractions. 

All applications to the Partnership Fund Program must fit into one of the following four funding categories:

• New Indigenous Tourism Experiences
• Videography/Photography
• Marquee & Wayfinding Signage
• Translation

For full program details, visit the website. 

In addition to other requirements, all applications require a letter of support. Please reach out to shelbi.mcfarlane@uclg.on.ca to discuss your project.

Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program

Program opens for applications on June 3, 2024.

As part of the Ontario Agricultural Sustainability Initiative, the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP) provides funding to eligible Ontario farmers to implement projects focused on addressing climate change through reducing greenhouse gas emissions and sequestering carbon. Funding is available for:

•           Natural Grassland Establishment;

•           Perennial Biomass Crops;

•           Perennial Warm Season Pastures;

•           Reduced Tillage;

•           Tree and Shrub Planting;

•           Water Retention Features, and;

•           Wetlands.

The maximum RALP funding allocation for a single project is $150,000, and effective for applications submitted after April 1, 2024, a single applicant (farm business) may receive approval for new projects up to a maximum of $400,000 in total RALP funding for the duration of 5 year lifespan of the RALP (2024-2028).

Information on the program is now available in the online Program Guide at https://programguides.ontariosoilcrop.org/. The Program Guide provides information on eligible activities and costs, available funding, documentation required to be submitted with an application, and a link to the application form.

For more information, please contact us at s-cap@ontariosoilcrop.org.

Save On Energy Programs

Becoming more energy efficient doesn't take a lot of time, even for the busiest business owners. Find the right program for your needs. Learn which program is the right fit for your business. 

1. Instant Discounts Program

   Receive upfront discounts from participating distributors on the purchase of energy-efficient lighting products that will help to lower your business’s energy consumption, improve your bottom line and transform your space.

2. Small Business Program

   Drive your business forward with Save on Energy incentives of up to $3,000 for eligible lighting equipment and up to $2,500 for eligible non-lighting equipment.

3. Retrofit program

   For a small business, energy costs can add up. The good news is that the Save on Energy Retrofit program can help you make your business more efficient.

For more details, visit the program website. 

thriveFORWARD

thriveFORWARD is a new initiative, aimed at accelerating sustainable industrial investment in innovation capital across southern Ontario. thriveFORWARD will assist participants in future-proofing their business, building resiliency, and preparing for long-term growth by transitioning to a green economy.

Eligible projects include the commercialization of innovation or the adoption of an innovation by start-ups and SMEs that are investing in sustainable and inclusive growth. This new program is coordinated through the Northumberland CFDC and is available to eligible SME across Southern Ontario.

For more information about the program, please visit the website.

Work Share Program

The Work-Sharing Program helps employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary decrease in the normal level of business activity that is out of control of the employer.

Employees on a Work-Sharing agreement must agree to a reduced schedule of work, and share the available work equally over the term of the agreement.

To be eligible for a Work-Sharing agreement, your business or organization must:

• be a year-round business in Canada for at least 2 years
• have experienced a minimum 10% reduction in their business activities within the last six months
• have at least 2 eligible employees in the Work-Sharing unit that must share the available work equally

For full eligibility and program details, visit the website.

Community Futures Grenville Economic Development Initiative

This program provides non-repayable funding to support community economic development projects, up to 50% of eligible project costs to a maximum of $3000. The grant supports projects that:

• address strategic economic development priorities;
• support the business community;
• have a significant, measurable impact;
• demonstrate collaboration with community economic development partners;
• support community capacity for economic development.

The following organizations are eligible to apply for a microgrant:

• Not for profit organizations operating within Grenville County;
• Business Improvement Areas located in Grenville County;
• Municipalities located within or comprising Grenville County.

For full details about the program, click here.

All potential applicants are encouraged to contact the Grenville Community Futures office to discuss their potential project prior to completing an application. Katie Nolan, Executive Director 613-925-4275 ext. 1 or katie@cfgrenville.ca 

Community Futures Grenville Futures Grant

Offering non-repayable funding to support legacy projects that will enhance our community in the decades to come, covering up to 100% of eligible project expenses. Examples include but are not limited to:

• Investments that enable arts and culture activities;
• Restoration, protection or enhancement of natural resources;
• Community art, education, or heritage installations;
• Projects that increase community engagement and vitality;
• Initiatives that reduce carbon emissions or make it easier for others to do so.

For full details about the program, click here.

All potential applicants are encouraged to contact the Grenville Community Futures office to discuss their potential project prior to completing an application. Katie Nolan, Executive Director 613-925-4275 ext. 1 or katie@cfgrenville.ca 

Community Improvement Plan Programs

Community Improvement Plan programs (CIPs) are funds used to support business upgrades. Individual municipalities may designate a portion of the annual budget for CIPs. Funds are available through an application process to private property owners to help offset project costs that achieve community planning and development goals. They emphasize business sustainability, increases local investment, and helps support job creation. CIP funding varies by municipality, location, type and timing.

Listed here are local programs with links to their respective information:

Brockville

• Downtown CIP - download
• Brownfields CIP - download

Edwardsburgh Cardinal

• Website info
• Cardinal - download guide
• Spencerville - download guide

Gananoque

• Website info and application

Leeds and the Thousand Islands

• Website info and application

North Grenville 

• Website info
• Downtown Kemptville CIP - fully utilized for 2024
• North Grenville CIP Matching Loan - email

Prescott

• CIP Investment Program - download
• Application form - download

Rideau Lakes - Chaffeys Lock, Delta, Elgin, Lombardy, Newboro, Portland

• Website info & application

Community Futures Grenville CIP Matching Loan Program

Proof of municipal CIP approval is required.

For more details, email Darren Gallacher, call 613-213-8575 or visit the program website. 

Rural Economic Development Program (CLOSED)

Ontario’s Rural Economic Development (RED) program provides cost-share funding to support activities that create strong rural communities in Ontario, and opens doors to rural economic development through:

• funding assistance to address barriers to economic development and labour force challenges, better position rural communities to attract or retain investment, and enhance economic growth
• funding to build community capacity and support for economic development in Ontario’s rural communities
• investments in rural communities to help diversify and grow local economies – making economic growth more inclusive so rural Ontario continues to share in the province’s economic prosperity

To be eligible to apply to the RED program, you must be:

• a municipality
• a not-for-profit entity
• an Ontario Indigenous community or organization
• a Local Services Board

For more information visit the program website.