Social Enterprise & Scaling Impact Streams

Innoweave provides funded coaching access for organizations looking to expand a program or implement a new approach or deepen their social impact. Yes, Purppl can provide the coaching.

Who Should Apply

Any organization with a clear and shared definition of the impact they seek to achieve.

Maximum Amount: $10,000
Deadlines: April 15, August 15, December 15
Apply Now: innoweave.ca

 

Grow Your Business Online

Grants help with the costs related to adopting digital technologies.

Who Should Apply

Consumer-facing organizations (including for-profit social enterprises and co-operatives) who are committed to maintaining digital adoption strategy for six months.

Maximum Amount: $2,400
Deadline: Until funds run out
Apply Now: ic.gc.ca

 

Boost Your Business Technology

Eligible businesses can leverage the grant to pay for the services of a digital advisor. These advisors will work with companies to recommend digital pathways and strategies that will help them achieve their business goals and increase their competitiveness in the digital economy.

Who Should Apply

For-profit with 1-499 employees and $500,000 of annual revenues in last three tax years.

Maximum Amount: The grant covers up to 90% of the eligible costs (max of $15,000 per SME)
Deadline: Until funds run out
Apply Now: ic.gc.ca

 

Innovator Skills Initiative

Designed to increase diversity in the tech sector and help B.C.-based businesses fill talent shortages and grow.

Who Should Apply

Employers that are hiring for tech or tech-related roles.

Maximum Amount: $10,000 per candidate
Deadline: March 11, 2022
Apply Now: innovatebc.ca

 

Co-operative Development Program (CDP)

CDP grants are made to cover costs associated with co-operative business development, including feasibility studies and market research, business planning, marketing and promotion, member engagement, and legal and financial supports.

Who Should Apply

Co-operatives that operate in the following sectors to consider applying for CDP funding: Social Wellness, Inclusive Economy, Environmental Prosperity.

Maximum Amount: $20,000
Deadline: March 31, 2022
Apply Now: cooperators.ca

 

Canada Post Community Grants

Eligible projects should increase the capacity of an organization and create or expand services, rather than maintaining existing services. For example purchasing new equipment or launching new programs.

New Indigenous Truth and Reconciliation Signature Grant: will be awarded to a national organization offering programming anchored in the principles of Indigenous truth and reconciliation and supports Indigenous children and youth across the country.

Who Should Apply

Registered charities, non-profits, national charities and organizations.

Maximum Amount: $50,000
Deadline: March 31, 2022
Apply Now: canadapost-postescanada.ca/

 

Osoyoos Community Giving Fund

Supports local non-profit organizations and community groups with projects and initiatives that contribute to economic revitalization and improved quality of life, while breaking down barriers in order to help families achieve economic success and enhanced quality of life.

Who Should Apply

Non-profit organizations and community groups with projects benefitting Osoyoos, Rock Creek, and Oliver

Maximum Amount: Not provided
Deadline: March 31, 2022
Apply Now: ocubc.com

 

Telus Friendly Future Foundation

The TELUS Friendly Future Foundation is dedicated to funding health, education and technology focused charitable programs for at-risk youth in communities across Canada.

Who Should Apply

Registered Canadian charities with a focus on education, health and technology initiatives for at-risk youth.

Maximum Amount: $20,000 (or up to $200,000 for national, territorial or provincial charities).
Deadlines:

• Thompson Okanagan – April 6, September 9, January 28
• Vancouver – March 18, July 29, September 9
• Vancouver Island – April 5, August 9, September 27

Apply Now: friendlyfuture.com

 

BC Interior Project Grants

Supports community-based projects/programs in the areas of Arts & Culture, Health & Welfare, Sports & Recreation, and other charitable activities.

Who Should Apply

Registered charities or organizations with a registered charity sponsor within the region of the Thompson, Nicola, and South Cariboo and within the communities of Lillooet, Lytton, Clinton, 70 Mile House, Ashcroft, Cache Creek, Kamloops, Clearwater, Barriere, Chase, Logan Lake and Merritt.

Maximum Amount: $1,500
Deadline: April 1, 2022
Apply Now: bcicf.ca

 

Economic Development Grants

Programs, projects and initiatives that support women, Two-Spirit, trans, and non-binary people, and who experience barriers to employment and/or economic security.

Who Should Apply

Registered charity or First Nation that is designated by Canada Revenue Agency as a qualified donee or be working with a partner who fits this eligibility requirement.

Maximum Amount: Up to $65,000 annually for 4 years
Deadline: April 14, 2022
Apply Now: canadianwomen.org

 

Vernon Council Discretionary Grants

This stream provides one-time seed money to build agency capacity through engaging in customer driven revenue development models to help improve their sustainability while solving long term community, social, and environmental challenges.

Who Should Apply

Community based Not-for-Profits or Registered Societies that contribute to the general interest and quality of life for Vernon residents.

Maximum Amount: Up to $25,000
Deadline: April 30, 2022
Apply Now: vernon.ca

 

Central Okanagan Foundation Project Grants

Supports new initiatives/projects, enhancement of current program(s), and organizations with sound fiscal management and diversified sources of revenue.

Who Should Apply

Central Okanagan registered charities.
Maximum Amount: $15,000
Deadline: May 3, 2022

Apply Now: centralokanaganfoundation.org

 

Clean Energy Grants

The province of BC and the federal government are making $134 million available for projects that reduce pollution, increase health and expand opportunities in response to a changing climate.

Eligible projects will build tangible physical infrastructure (capital assets) in BC primarily for public use and benefit. Projects must meet at least one of the following outcomes:

• Increased capacity to manage renewable energy
• Increased access to clean-energy transportation
• Increased energy efficiency of buildings
• Increase generation of clean energy

Who Should Apply

Local Government, Indigenous Ultimate Recipients, Not-For-Profit organizations, For-Profit entities.

Maximum Amount: % of project costs

Deadline: May 25, 2022
Apply Now: gov.bc.ca

 

First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC)

All the programs they fund support the vitality of Indigenous languages, arts and cultural heritage, with an aim to rebuild cultural systems impacted by colonization and support Indigenous self-determination.

Who Should Apply

Many grants available with varying application criteria.

Maximum Amount: n/a
Deadlines: many deadlines
Apply Now: fpcf.ca

 

IMPACT INVESTMENTS AND LOANS

 

Thrive Impact Fund

Thrive Impact Fund is a place-based fund that sees untapped potential in local communities and a desire for investors to see their money make both financial and impact returns.

Who Should Apply

Non-profits, charities, and enterprises operated by people who traditionally are overlooked by conventional lenders.

Maximum Amount: not provided (loan)
Apply Now: thriveimpactfund.ca

 

Impact Investment Fund

If your organization needs a loan for a credible business opportunity, but isn’t able to secure conventional financing, this fund may be able to help.

Who Should Apply

The Impact Investment Fund provides loans to First Nations organizations, social enterprises, non-profits and businesses that are not able to secure conventional financing to support credible investment opportunities which have significant positive and measurable community benefits.

Maximum Amount: Not provided.
Deadline: Not applicable.
Apply Now: ourtrust.org

 

Indigenous Growth Fund

The Indigenous Growth Fund (IGF) is a new $150M investment fund that will provide access to the capital that Indigenous small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have long sought and lacked. Indigenous entrepreneurs across all industries, including emergent exporters and food and agriculture related businesses, will be able to access the Fund via business loans from a network of Aboriginal Financial Institutions (AFIs) throughout the country.

Who Should Apply

Indigenous small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country.

Maximum Amount: Not provided (loan)
Deadlines: Not provided.
Apply Now: nacca.ca

 

Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund

With an investment of up to $350.8 million over four years, it will help Black Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs grow their businesses and succeed now and into the future.

Who Should Apply

Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country.

Maximum Amount: $250,000 (loan)
Deadlines: Not provided.
Apply Now: ic.gc.ca

 

Women Entrepreneurship Strategy

The government is advancing women’s economic empowerment with the first ever Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES), a more than $6-billion investment that aims to increase women-owned businesses’ access to the financing, talent, networks and expertise they need to start up, scale up and access new markets.

Who Should Apply

Women business owners and entrepreneurs.

Maximum Amount: Loans of up to $50,000 + mentorship and knowledge expansion opportunities.
Deadline: Not provided.
Apply Now: ic.gc.ca/

 

Vancity Unity Women Entrepreneurs Program

Vancity and Women’s Enterprise Centre give women, and anyone who identifies as women or non-binary, more access to the funds they need, more networking opportunities with like-minded people, and more advice from experienced mentors.

Who Should Apply

Start-up and growth stage businesses that are majority woman-owned and controlled, and struggling to meet working capital needs due to COVID-19.

Maximum Amount: Not provided.
Deadline: Not provided.
Apply Now: join.vancity.com

 

OPEN APPLICATION PROGRAMS

 

Community Investment Fund

We are seeking community partners who we can help in a meaningful way and who, in return, will be advocates for Interior Savings, committed to helping our credit union achieve success and further our community impact objectives.

Who Should Apply

Community-based non-profit, volunteer, or charitable organizations.
Serving Okanagan, Thompson and Nicola Valley communities (Osoyoos, Oliver, Okanagan Falls, West Kelowna, Kelowna, Lake Country, Vernon, Chase, Kamloops, Barriere, Clearwater, Ashcroft, Lillooet, or Merritt).
Submitted at least eight (8) weeks in advance of the event or project.

Maximum Amount: $15,000
Deadline: not provided
Apply Now: interiorsavings.com

 

Youth Entrepreneurship Program

14-week program for aspiring entrepreneurs to help them research and develop their business idea, write their business plan, and launch and implement their business.

Who Should Apply

Between the ages of 15 and 29, resident of British Columbia
living in the Central Okanagan, currently unemployed or precariously employed.

Maximum Amount: Participants may also be eligible for living supports and/or business seed money of up to $5,200.
Deadline: not provided
Apply Now: cfdcco.com

 

Jobs and Growth Fund

Provides funding to businesses and organizations to help create jobs, and position Canada’s economy for an inclusive recovery and long-term growth.

Who Should Apply

businesses (primarily small and medium sized enterprises, fewer than 500 FTEs); not-for-profit organizations; and
Indigenous organizations.

Maximum Amount: not provided
Deadline: When funding runs out
Apply Now: wd-deo.gc.ca

 

Training & Wage Subsidies for Environmental Jobs

These programs help employers attract new talent, while saving initial wage and training costs. Best of all, young practitioners and students will be able to kickstart their career journey and gain meaningful work experience.

Who Should Apply

Youth (30 and under) and Host Employers in Canada.

Maximum Amount: Up to 80% of wages.
Deadlines: Not specified.
Apply Now: eco.ca

 

Community Gaming Grants

Community Gaming Grants funding enhances community life through supporting programs that: provide opportunities for enrichment through participation in sport and the arts, enhance and protect our local environment, improve quality of life for community members; and,  enhance and support the safety of our communities.

Who Should Apply

Not-for-profit organizations providing programs or services of direct benefit to the broader community.

Maximum Amount: $250,000
Deadlines:

• Arts & Culture: Apply between February 1 and April 30
• Sport: Apply between March 1 and May 31
• Public Safety: Apply between July 1 and August 31
• Environment:  Apply between July 1 and August 31
• Human and Social Services: Apply between June 1 and November 30

Apply Now: gov.bc.ca

 

Venture Internship Program

Internships for post-secondary students across Canada. Dynamic, aspirational young people find their way to the Venture for Canada community. We select the ones with the character traits Canadian startups and SMEs say they need and we train them to stick a landing.

• 75% subsidy
• Each funding round can cover up to 20 weeks of employment
• Employers can participate in multiple semesters, and even hire the same eligible student for up to two consecutive semesters

Who Should Apply

• < 500 employees
• Any industry, offering an entrepreneurial role
• Located in BC, AB, MB, SK, NB, NS, PEI or NL

Maximum Amount: Up to $2,800
Deadline: Not provided.
Apply Now: ventureforcanada.ca