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Below is a list of funding resources and supports HCDC is aware of to help you grow your business/not-for-profit. Please click on each link for more information about the program and how to apply. HCDC also shares information on funding opportunities routinely through our Social Media.
FOR-PROFIT & NON-PROFIT BUSINESS/ORGANIZATIONS FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Business Benefits Finder
The Government of Canada offers this tool for helping to discover supports for both for-profit businesses and not-for-profit organizations as well as entrepreneurs.
Visit here to use the Business Benefits Finder Tool.
Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program
Funding from the Government of Ontario to help create strong businesses, boost economic growth, protect jobs and improve infrastructure in small communities. The Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program replaces the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program.. This program supports the objectives of Enabling Opportunity: Ontario’s Rural Economic Development Strategy.
The ROD Program provides cost-share funding for projects that help rural communities:
• address barriers and build capacity for economic development
• to attract, retain and expand businesses
• attract and retain investment and jobs
• strengthen regional partnerships and economic resilience
• address workforce development challenges
• transform community assets to drive economic development
The ROD program has two streams:
• Community Development (for Not-for-profit organizations)
• Business Development (for small, rural businesses with 1-20 employees)
Visit here for more information and application intake deadlines.
FOR-PROFIT/BUSINESS FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
FedDev Ontario invests to build, compete, strengthen and support businesses and organizations across southern Ontario, driving economic growth and reinforcing Canada’s economy. FedDev supports the following activities:
• Developing, commercializing and/or producing new and innovative products, processes and services
• Improving productivity, capacity and competitiveness
• Scaling-up or expanding business lines to tap into new markets or reach new customers
Your project proposals should help create broad and long-term economic benefits for southern Ontario.
To contribute to the local economy, projects will:
• create and maintain jobs
• grow revenue
• increase exports
• build economic partnerships and collaborations
• leverage private sector funding
• generate sales from new products, services, or processes commercialized (if applicable)
Visit here for more information on FedDev funding supports, programs accept applications continuously.
FedDev – Regional Tariff Response Initiative for Businesses
For businesses that have a minimum 5 full-time employees and have at least 25% of their sale in the market targeted by tariffs or can demonstrate a direct affect from ongoing trade disruptions. Interested businesses can complete a self-screening tool.
Visit here for more information.
Digitalization Competence Centre (DCC)
Digitalization is redefining what’s possible for Ontario small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). By integrating digital tools into everyday processes, businesses are boosting productivity, cutting costs, and delivering smarter and faster service while staying ahead of the curve. The Digitalization Competence Centre (DCC), supported by the Ontario Government, is at the forefront of the province’s SME digital transformation.
DCC has three program streams to support SMEs in the adoption and implementation of digital technology:
Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP):
• Grant of up to $15k to support a consultant (Digital Adoption Consultant) to develop a digital modernization and adoption plan (DMAP) tailored to the organization’s digital needs
Best suited for:
• SMEs looking to understand their digital needs and adopt and implement digital technologies to grow their company
• Ontario-based for-profit SMEs with between 1-499 employees
Technology Demonstration Program (TDP):
• Grant of up to $100k to implement DMAP recommendations for your digital transformation.
Best suited for:
• SMEs with at least $500K of annual revenue in one of the last three tax years
• SMEs who have completed a DMAP project and are looking to adopt and implement the digital technology laid out in the DMAP
• Ontario-based for-profit SMEs with between 1-499 employees
Retail Modernization Project Grant (RMPG):
Receive up to $5K in support to adopt and implement digital technologies, hardware and software.
Best suited for:
• Minimum 1 year in business with at least $100K of annual revenue
• Direct-to-Consumer business with a physical storefront (i.e., retail, restaurants & food, professional services such as hairstyling, florists, etc.)
• Ontario-based-for-profit business with between 1-50 employees
• First-come-first served model, while funds last
Visit here for more information on DCC, including how to apply and application deadlines.
WSIB Health and Safety Excellence Program
The WSIB Health and Safety Excellence program helps you make your workplace safer, while earning rebates on your WSIB premiums. Through our program, you’ll benefit from:
• Reduced risk of injuries and illnesses in your workplace and a stronger health and safety culture
• Recognition to show your commitment to health and safety to your employees, customers and community
• And you’ll receive an extra $1,000 once you get started!
Visit here for more information on WSIB’s program, including how to apply.
Starter Company PLUS
The Starter Company PLUS program will help you start, expand, or purchase an early-stage business (no more than three years old) and connect you to the next generation of local entrepreneurs. With free access to training and mentorship, you will also be eligible for a grant of up to $5,000. Residents of Haliburton County are eligible to apply via the Kawartha Lakes program.
Visit here for more information on Starter Company Plus, including application deadlines.
Save On Energy
Get financial incentives to upgrade equipment that will lower energy costs, improve productivity and support your business’s sustainability goals. Get up to 50% of your eligible costs covered for energy efficiency upgrades.
Visit here for more information.
Canada-Ontario Job Grant (COJG)
Employers can apply for funding to train their employees, update their skills and help Ontarians find new jobs. In Haliburton County, contact:
Fleming CREW – Integrated Employment Services
NOT-FOR-PROFIT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Funding for Not For Profits is constantly evolving. At HCDC we monitor as many channels as possible and list relevant funding to support community economic development in our community.
Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF)
The mission of the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is to build healthy and vibrant communities throughout Ontario by investing in community-based initiatives and strengthening the impact of Ontario’s non-profit sector. Three streams of grants for non-profit organizations: Seed, Grow and Capital.
• Seed Grant: Seed grants help organizations build resilience and enhance their ability to deliver programs and services that directly benefit community members.
• Grow Grant: Take a successful program to a new level. Grow grants provide a higher level of funding over 2 or 3 years to help proven community projects increase their impact.
• Capital Grant: Capital grants are a good fit for projects that update buildings, enhance spaces, and purchase fixed and non-fixed equipment.
Visit here for more information on OTF, including application deadlines.
Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (OCAF)
OCAF provides Ontario cultural organizations with investment to increase cultural tourism, earned revenue, private sector sponsorship, economic growth and job creation. OCAF has a two-step application process, First-time applicants should contact OCAF prior to submitting a Stage 1 application. This process needs to be started approximately 8 months prior to an event.
Visit here for more information on OCAF including application deadlines.
Ontario Arts Council (OAC)
The OAC provides grants to Ontario-based individual artists and arts professionals, ad hoc groups, collectives and organizations. Grants support a range of arts activities and disciplines.
The OAC offers two types of grant programs:
• Project grants – one-time grants for specific projects, available to individual artists, ad hoc groups, collectives and organizations
• Operating grants – ongoing support for Ontario-based, not-for-profit arts organizations and for-profit book and magazine publishers
Visit here for more information.
More coming soon!