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Sources of Funding

• Grant-Giving Foundations and more
• Canadian Information Sources of Funding
• Arms-Length Agencies and Independent Sources of Funding
• Corporate Funding Programs for your Nonprofit
• Government Funding Programs
• Microcredit Funding Program - to explore

Northern Information Sources

• Blue Book of Canadian Business

  Free executive and corporate profiles for "Canada's most significant businesses." Access to the database of 2,500 top businesses and 15,000 board members, senior executives and CEOs is by subscription.

• Canadian Environmental Grantmakers' Network (CEGN)

  Offers a database of potential grant sources for Canadian environmental work, including information by issue and region.

• Canadian Trade Index (CTI)

  A directory of thousands of Canadian corporations, including contact information and web site links.

• CharityVillage Funder Focus

  Features indepth interviews with some of Canada's major funders.

• CharityVillage Nonprofit Neighbourhood: Grant-Giving Foundations

  Links to to the Home pages of Canadian foundations with grant programs.

• CharityVillage Online Resources: Government Agencies and Departments

  Links to to the Home pages of federal and provincial government agencies and departments. Find general information and funding guidelines.

• CharityVillage Online Resources: Economic, Financial and Investment Information

  Links to Canadian public company filings, reports and media releases.

• CharityVillage Marketplace: Funding Sources Databases

  Links to commercially available sources for foundation, corporate, and government funding information.

• Community of Science --- Funding Opportunities for Canadians

  A searchable database of funding opportunities available to Canadians in Biomedical and Health Sciences, Science and Technology, Mathematics, Computer Science, Agriculture and Food Sciences, Arts, Humanities, Behavioural and Social Sciences, Education, Engineering, Energy and Law.

• Database of Funding Agencies

  From the University of British Columbia's Office of Research Services. Searchable by keyword, grant type, research area and deadline, and covers Health Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities. In addition to a long list of Canadian funding sources, the database contains a good cross-section of foreign agencies. The service also provides direct links to the home pages of major granting agencies.

• Directory of Funding Agencies and Other Organizations of Interest

  From University of Alberta's Research Grants Office. Provides links to to the home pages of foundations and agencies, organized by country.

• Directory of Potential Sources of Funding for Injury and Substance Abuse Prevention Projects in Ontario

  This directory features both private and public funding sources, as well as practical tips, links, resources, and worksheets for developing successful funding proposals, managing the funding relationship, and working with community partners. While targeted to individuals active in substance abuse and injury prevention, this directory will be useful to a wide range of grassroots community groups.

• Envision.ca Guide to Funding Sources

  Compiled by the Community Services Council Newfoundland and Labrador, this guide features provincial and federal government funding sources, as well as foundations, companies, and other grantmaking agencies.

• Funding Agencies and Deadlines

  From the Dalhousie University Office of Research Services. A list of deadlines for major granting programs from government, agencies, and foundations. The site doesn't list contact information for the different granting organizations, but it does offer programs' specific deadlines organized by month. 

Arms-Length Agencies and Independent Funding Sources

• BC Technology Social Venture Partners

  BC Technology Social Venture Partners is a charitable foundation created by individuals in B.C's technology industries, that supports innovative nonprofit groups serving children, women at risk, and people living in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

• Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund

  Advances the Canadian broadcasting system by encouraging and funding the creation of excellent Canadian digital media, promoting partnerships and sustainable businesses in the broadcast and new media sectors, engaging in research and sharing knowledge, and enhancing the national and international profiles of industry stakeholders.

• Canadian Alternative Investment Cooperative

  CAIC was formed in the early 1980s by Catholic religious communities who wanted to pool financial resources in order to make investments promoting social justice. CAIC invests in groups working for positive social change and community economic development in Canada that lack access to traditional financing.

• Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund (CIFVF)

  Dedicated to supporting the development of film, video and new media, the Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund (CIFVF) supports projects that promote lifelong learning and are produced by Canadian independent producers. CIFVF also supports an online mentoring program for new producers.

• Children First: School Choice Trust

  Helps Ontario parents with financial need send their children to an independent school of their choice. Tuition assistance grants will pay 50% of the tuition at any of the 800 independent schools in Ontario, to an annual maximum of $3,500.

• FutureWorks

  Provides wage funding to organizations filling full time positions in the Vancouver region. These funds are provided to off-set the cost of bringing a new employees skills up to speed and can cover up to a maximum of 60% of the wage over a period of up to 24 weeks.

• Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council

  A nonprofit organization whose purpose is to foster the arts of the province by operating financial assistance programmes; providing services and resources; and by working with government and the community for development in the arts.

• Ontario Arts Council

  OAC is an independent agency of the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation that supports artists and arts organizations in Ontario through grants, awards and services. Since its establishment in 1963, OAC has played a vital role in promoting and assisting the development of the arts and artists for the enjoyment and benefit of Ontarians.

• Social Venture Partners Calgary

  Seeks to develop philanthropy and volunteerism to achieve positive social change in the Calgary region. Using the venture capital approach as a model, SVPC is committed to giving time, money and expertise to create partnerships with non-profit organizations.

• Worker Co-op Fund

  Owned and managed by the Canadian Worker Co-operative Federation (CWCF), the CWCF was formed to work for the development and expansion of businesses organized according to co-op principles and the principles of worker ownership and control, and to promote the ideals of democracy in the workplace. The $1.5 million Fund helps create new and existing worker-owned co-ops in all regions of Canada.

Corporate Funding Programs

• Adobe

  The company donates copies of their software for a US$35 administrative fee through Gifts in Kind International. The program includes products like Adobe Acrobat, Photoshop, PageMaker, InDesign and Premiere.

• Air Canada

  The company considers requests for donations from organizations working to improve the lives of Canada's youth as well as those conducting research into diseases. In some cases they make cash donations, in many others they donate promotional tickets.

• Alcan Inc.

  Through its community investment program, Alcan contributes to Canadian nonprofits and charities in the areas of youth, education, technology, health care research, environment, sports, community services, and the arts.

• Aliant Telecom (Regional: Halifax, NS)

  The company seeks programs that help Atlantic Canadians learn in new ways - through the creative use of communications technology. Areas of interest include arts and culture, community, education, and health.

• Allstate Foundation of Canada (National: Markham, ON)

  Provides grants to charities and not-for-profit organizations that are involved in a variety of activities and/or educational initiatives around crime prevention, road safety, and home safety.

• Altamira Foundation (National: Toronto, ON)

  Provides grants to fund child and youth-related charitable organizations that focus on health and education initiatives. Through the foundation, Altamira gives disadvantaged children the opportunity to grow up in a safe environment, access to a good education, and the skills needed to assist them in securing employment and becoming productive citizens.

• BC Hydro Employees' Community Services Fund (HYDRECS)

  HYDRECS is an employee facilitated fund that provides donations and volunteer support to British Columbian-based registered charities in the health and social service sector. HYDRECS contributes approximately $800,000 annually.

• BMO Financial Group

  BMO welcomes the opportunity to contribute to both large and small organizations across a variety of areas including education, health, arts and culture, civic and community, and sports and athletics. Although support is broadly based, the focus is on assisting organizations and initiatives that encourage and facilitate learning.

• Calgary Co-op

  Calgary Co-op supports and contributes to local organizations, including providing support to the United Way, the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank, sponsoring numerous charitable fundraising activities and initiating work experience programs for the physically and intellectually challenged.

• Clarica Life Insurance Company

  Invests approximately one-third of corporate donations in programs that promote the best possible future for Canada's children; promotes effective organ donation programs in hospitals throughout Canada; channels funds to skills enhancement education programs that build the confidence and qualifications of Canada's workforce; and offers a matching gifts program and volunteers program.

• Co-operators (The)

  As a financial services organization providing insurance and financial service products, we have a responsibility to support the efforts of charitable organizations in Canada to ensure a safer, healthier and happier environment. In reviewing requests for funding, the following four main criteria are considered: to help a significant number of people; to help people help themselves; to have local Co-operators Board and/or staff involvement and/or support; to have broad community support.

• EnCana (International: Calgary, AB)

  The company's four focus areas include: youth & education; health & wellness; the environment, and community development; with an emphasis on the communities and regions where EnCana has an operating interest.

• Fairmont Hotels and Resorts (International: Toronto, ON)

  The Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Charitable Donations Program aspires to epitomize "Social Partnership," by ensuring that relationships are developed and fostered that address broader social issues, allowing an environment of both increasing involvement and increasing benefits to all concerned.

• First Calgary Savings

  First Calgary Savings' Learning Opportunities Donation Program provides funding for staff training and organizational development for nonprofit groups based in Calgary.

• GlaxoSmithKline Canada

  Committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. Charitable and community programs support projects that are innovative, sustainable and results-oriented.

• Honda Canada Foundation

  At the heart of its charitable focus, the Honda Canada Foundation values: education, environment, and engineering. The Foundation uses these three areas as guiding principles in its charitable focus on the belief that a healthy understanding of each area will help both individuals and communities flourish.

• Hewlett Packard (HP) Canada

  HP's philanthropy and education programs focus on developing and supporting programs and partnerships that showcase HP technology while promoting educational opportunity and e-inclusion for people in underserved communities in Canada and around the world.

• Imperial Oil Charitable Foundation

  Over half of the foundation's grants are in the field of education. About 30% are made to programs in the fields of community activities, health, social services and civic causes, and about 15% of grants are made to arts and culture activities in communities where Imperial Oil has employees.

• Irving Oil Company - Community Giving Program (Regional: Atlantic Canada)

  A strong supporter of communities throughout Atlantic Canada, Irving is involved in the regions where its employees and customers live and work. The company has identified three key areas of giving: environment, education, and community need.

• KidReach

  Microsoft Canada's national donations program that empowers young people by providing access to technology.

• Manulife Financial

  By promoting healthy futures, supporting leaders of tomorrow and by being a partner in the community, globally, Manulife Financial is committed to giving back to the community.

• Maple Leaf Foods

  Philanthropic giving focuses on three sectors: effective health research and services; community and social services programs; and education, particularly in the area of food nutrition research.

• Matching Gift Companies

  This list includes more than 500 companies that have matching gift programs in Canada, as well as basic information about the types of gifts that will be matched.

• Molson Inc.

  Molson gives to the community through a variety of initiatives that help build consumer loyalty and establish the Molson presence in large and small communities across Canada. Funding interests include youth leadership, volunteers, education, and sports.

• Mountain Equipment Co-Op (MEC)

  MEC focuses their community funding and support on wilderness conservation and environmental education; and supporting people in achieving the benefits of self-propelled wilderness-oriented recreation in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. MEC also supports the promotion of cooperative principles and sustainable business practices.

• Nissan Canada Foundation

  Dedicated to serving Canadian senior citizens, the foundation helps raise and distribute funds to nonprofit organizations that serve seniors. It also works to raise awareness about the needs and concerns of seniors.

• Ontario Power Generation

  The company's corporate citizenship program complements employees' individual contributions by supporting not-for-profit organizations and local groups undertaking innovative programs to strengthen and support healthy, vibrant communities. Of particular interest to Ontario Power Generation are programs that promote environmental initiatives and excellence in science and technology.

• Petro-Canada National Community Involvement Programs

  Although education is the focus of the National Community Investment Program, the company also provides support to help meet more fundamental community needs, like poverty, child hunger and homelessness.

• QLT Inc.

  This Vancouver-based biotechnology company makes grants related to its research activities either on a local, national or global scale; related to furthering science education within British Columbia; and related to bettering the community in which QLT facilities are located.

• Royal Bank Financial Group

  In the company's "Community Centre", find a wide range of information about the bank's donation, sponsorship and voluntarism programs.

• SaskTel

  Provides broad support to all Saskatchewan communities, with a focus of support on activities linked to technology, diversity, youth, and rural life.

• Shell Canada

  Provides funding primarily in the areas of education and the environment, and supports local communities through the Shell Community Service Fund.

• Zellers Family Fund

  Developed to provide financial assistance and employee involvement to charities that support the health, well being, and education of Canadian families.

Government Funding Programs

• Canadian Heritage - Cultural Initiatives Program (National)

  Helps nonprofit, incorporated professional arts and heritage organizations to engage in arts and heritage activities involving exchange, circulation, and achievement in Canada. There are three components to the program: strategic development assistance, capital assistance, and festivals and special arts events.

• Community Initiatives Program (CIP) (Alberta)

  Provides funds to enhance and enrich project-based initiatives throughout Alberta. CIP supports project-based initiatives in areas such as community services, seniors' services, libraries, arts and culture, sports, education, health and recreation.

• Environment Canada's Funding Programs (National)

  Information on project-based funding for environmental organizations, as well as internship opportunities and links to other environmental funding sources.

• Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Education Fund (HRCMEF) (Alberta)

  The goal of the HRCMEF is to promote fairness and access by facilitating changes that lead to equitable participation in programs, services or organizations. Project funding is available to organizations involved in systemic change initiatives designed to make their programs, services, or organization more accessible to Albertans.

• New Horizons for Seniors (National)

  Through Social Development Canada, this program provides funding for community-based projects across the country that encourage seniors to continue to play an important role in their community. Calls for applications are issued once or twice a year.

Microcredit Funding Programs

• Maytree Foundation and Metro Credit Union Immigrant Employment Loan Program (Greater Toronto Area)

  The objective of this loan program is to develop a new and permanent stream of financial capital for immigrants and Convention refugees.

• Metro Credit Union (National)

  Metro's Community Micro Loan program provides business loans along with a full range of financial services to self-employed individuals who would not otherwise qualify or have access to credit from other financial institutions.

• Opportunity International Canada (Latin America)

  For 30 years, Opportunity International has been a 'banker to the poor', offering the vital training, support and capital that micro-entrepreneurs need to support themselves.

• Ottawa Community Loan Fund (Ottawa, ON)

  A nonprofit organization providing loans up to $15,000 to Ottawa entrepreneurs who do not qualify for traditional financing. OCLF also partners with the Canadian Youth Business Foundation to provide loans for young entrepreneurs.

• PARO: A Northwestern Ontario Women's Community Loan Fund (Northwestern Ontario)

  PARO provides educational programs to women to enhance enterprise development, skills training, networking, mentoring, access to information, opportunity for marketing, and access to credit (primarily through peer lending).

• VanCity (British Columbia)

  Innovative loan products include the Peer Lending Program, a unique group lending method for securing small scale credit, and Self Reliance Loans for individuals requiring larger credit for start up or expansion.