Welcome to a new year of opportunity and impact! This January 2026, we’ve rounded up a list of current grants for Black-led (B3) nonprofits and charities across Canada.
Whether you’re launching a new project, expanding community programs, or strengthening organizational capacity, these funding opportunities are designed to help Black-led organizations grow their impact and sustainability.
1. LEVEL BIPOC Grants (Vancouver Foundation)
What’s Offered
Flexible, general operating funding of $150,000 over three years (≈ $50,000 per year) for BIPOC-led or BIPOC youth-led registered charities and nonprofit societies in British Columbia.
Funds support operational sustainability and long-term adaptability to meet evolving community needs.
Eligibility
- Registered charities and nonprofits in British Columbia
- Leadership/board must be majority BIPOC or BIPOC youth-led
🔗 Learn more: Visit the Vancouver Foundation “LEVEL BIPOC Grants” page.
Status / Deadline: Applications open January 2026. Vancouver Foundation
2. Black Entrepreneurship Program – Ecosystem Fund
What’s Offered
Non-repayable funding for Black-led nonprofit organizations delivering mentorship, networking, training, outreach, and other programs that strengthen the Black entrepreneurship ecosystem in Canada.
Funding Amount
💰 Between $125,000 and $3,000,000 per project, depending on scope.
Eligibility
- Incorporated Black-led nonprofit organizations (two-thirds Black governance)
- National and regional projects across Canada
🔗 Learn more: Visit your regional Economic Development Agency website.
Status / Deadline: Applications are open: January 9, 2026, 4:59 pm Eastern Standard Time For Southern Ontario. December 12, 2025 for Atlantic Canada.
- Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) (Applications Friday, December 12, 2025)
- Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) (applications closed)
- Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) (applications Closed)
- Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) (Friday, January 9th, 2026)
- Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor)
- Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) (Applications ongoing)
- Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) (Applications ongoing)
3. Free to Play – Toronto Foundation (New)
Supports creative outdoor play initiatives that help children reconnect with nature, physical activity, and imaginative community play.
💰 Funding: $20,000–$150,000 per project
📅 Deadline: February 24, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET
4. Public Safety Canada – Grants & Contributions Program (New)
Funding for voluntary organizations providing services in corrections, conditional release, and community reintegration — with dedicated funding for Black-led and Black-serving organizations under Canada’s Black Justice Strategy.
💰 Funding: Up to $500,000 per year
📅 Deadline: January 23, 2026, at 12:00 PM PST
Apply now!
5. Ontario Trillium Foundation – Capital Grant
Funding to improve community facilities and spaces across Ontario. Ideal for nonprofits investing in renovations, equipment, or infrastructure.
💰 Funding: $10,000–$200,000
📅 Deadline: March 4, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET
Apply now!
6. Ontario Trillium Foundation ( OTF) System Innovations Grant (Youth Opportunities Fund)
Supports multi-year collaborative projects (2–5 years) creating systemic change for Indigenous, Black, and racialized youth in education, justice, and employment.
💰 Up to $250,000 per year (max $1.25M over 5 years)
📅 Key dates:
- Coaching call: Feb 11, 2026
- Lead org submission: Feb 18, 2026
- Application deadline: Mar 11, 2026
7. Toronto Pearson Uplift Fund
Funding for employment-focused programs helping residents of Brampton, Mississauga, and Etobicoke access meaningful work opportunities.
💰 $150,000–$200,000
📅 Rolling intake (year-round)
Who’s eligible:
- Nonprofits, academic institutions, and professional associations
- Programs benefiting residents of Brampton, Mississauga, or Etobicoke
- Projects must run no longer than one year
💰 Funding range: $150,000–$200,000
Funding streams:
- Breaking Down Barriers to Meaningful Employment
- Growing the Construction Skilled Trades
Application window / Deadline:
- Rolling intake (applications accepted year-round)
8. Starter Company Plus (Ontario)
Grants and mentorship for entrepreneurs starting or expanding small businesses in Ontario.
What’s offered: Training, mentoring, and grant funding to help entrepreneurs start, expand, or purchase a small business in Ontario. Participants receive business plan support, coaching, and networking opportunities.
Who’s eligible: Ontario residents 18 years or older who are not full-time students, and are starting, expanding, or buying a small business.
💰 Funding amount: Up to $5,000 in grant funding plus business training and mentorship.
💰 Up to $5,000 + business training
📅 Year-round through local Small Business Enterprise Centres
Apply for the Starter Company Plus program here
Deadline: Applications open year-round through local Small Business Enterprise Centres.
9. Innovation Asset Collective (IAC) Grant
Funding to help cleantech SMEs develop and protect intellectual property.
What’s offered: Grants to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the data-driven clean technology sector remain competitive while scaling their businesses. The program supports intellectual property (IP) development, strategy, and growth.
Who’s eligible: Canadian SMEs involved in data-driven cleantech that are or become members of the Innovation Asset Collective (IAC).
💰 Up to $50,000
📅 Open year-round
Apply for the IAC Grant here
Deadline: Open year-round while funding remains available.
10. Costco Canada – Community Relations Grants
Supports community-based nonprofits focused on children, education, and health.
Focus: Supporting children, education, and health and human services.
Eligibility: Charities, nonprofits, and community-based organizations aligned with Costco’s philanthropic priorities.
Grant Amount: Warehouse donations and grant funding available.
Deadline: Rolling basis
Apply for Costco Community Relations Grants
11. Promise 1000 Youth Fund
Empowers youth (ages 15–30) to lead community development initiatives in the GTA.
Eligibility: Youth-led initiatives and organizations supporting youth engagement and leadership.
Grant Amount: Based on project needs ($50-500)
Apply for the Promise 1000 Youth Fund
12. CIBC Community Investment Funding
Three key funding streams for nonprofits:
- Financial Education & Inclusion – improve financial literacy
- Youth Empowerment – education & wellness for underserved youth
- Health & Wellness – cancer care and patient support
Apply for The CIBC Financial Education Funding
13. Amber Grant for Women Entrepreneurs
The Amber Grant Foundation awards a $10,000 grant each month to a woman-owned business in the U.S. or Canada, with an additional $25,000 year-end grant awarded to one of the monthly winners.
What’s offered:
- $10,000 monthly grant
- $25,000 year-end grant opportunity
- Recognition and exposure through the Amber Grant platform
Who’s eligible:
- Women entrepreneurs in the U.S. or Canada as well as
- All types of businesses and non-profits are welcome to apply — from idea stage to established companies
👉🏾 Apply for the Amber Grant here
Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis – apply by the end of each month to be considered.
14. Maytree Foundation Grants
Maytree believes that when human rights are protected, individuals and communities experience less poverty and we create a society that is inclusive, equitable, and prosperous. Maytree welcomes proposals from registered charities and community-based, non-profit organizations that have an explicit mandate to reduce poverty and build strong civic communities by advancing economic and social rights in Canada.
Apply for the Maytree Foundation Grant here
Deadline: Review of applications will continue on a rolling basis.
Please contact info@maytree.com with any questions.
15. Skills Development Fund – Capital Stream
Helps organizations build or upgrade training centres for skilled trades.
What’s offered: Funding for organizations to build, upgrade, or convert skilled trades and training centres. Supports construction, renovations, and equipment for training delivery in high-demand fields.
Who’s eligible: Ontario-based organizations with experience delivering training or managing infrastructure—this includes Training Delivery Agents, not-for-profits, and Indigenous organizations.
💰 Up to 70% of eligible costs covered.
There are two funding streams:
- SEED: Planning and design costs
- GROW: Capital construction or expansion
Learn more and apply for the SDF Capital Stream here
Deadline: Rolling intake (apply early)
16. Ontario Arts Council – Accessibility Fund
Grants for Deaf artists and artists with disabilities to remove barriers during project delivery.
What’s offered: Funding to help Deaf artists and artists with disabilities reduce barriers when applying for or delivering an OAC-funded project. Covers costs like interpretation, personal support workers, adaptive tech, or accessible travel.
Who’s eligible: Artists or collectives who are Deaf or have disabilities and are applying for—or have received—an OAC project grant.
💰 Up to $5,000 (up to 50% of your main project grant)
Apply for the Accessibility Fund here
Deadline: Rolling (decisions made within 8 weeks)
17. TELUS Friendly Future Foundation Grants
Supports local youth health and education programs across Canada.
- What’s offered: Up to $20,000 for single-year funding (up to $10,000 in Barrie and Central Ontario).
- Focus: Local, grassroots health and education programs supporting youth up to age 29.
- Eligibility: Canadian registered charities and qualified donees.
- Deadline: Rolling; one application per calendar year per Community Board region.
💰 Up to $20,000 per project
📅 Rolling applications
Apply for The TELUS Friendly Future Foundation Grants
Additional Grant Writing Resources
Before applying, review our guide on how to write winning grant proposals to strengthen your applications.
If you’d like personalized support, join our Black Builder Network (BBN) — a growing community of Black-led organizations, entrepreneurs, and changemakers dedicated to driving social and economic progress in Canada.
👉🏾 Join the Black Builders Network today to access:
- Grant writing resources
- Funding alerts
- Collaboration opportunities
About the Black Builders Network
The Black Builders Network is a Canada-wide resource hub supporting Black nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and leaders through funding insights, training, and community partnerships.
About the Federation of Black Canadians (FBC)
The Federation of Black Canadians (FBC) is a national organization advancing the social, economic, and cultural well-being of Black communities through advocacy, education, and community empowerment.
Stay tuned each month for updated grants for Black-led nonprofits in Canada — and subscribe to our newsletter at fbcfcn.ca.
