People often ask me, “is there anything for female entrepreneurs?”
The answer is yes but not much.
I originally wrote a blog on this topic in 2017, so it’s time for an updated version.
Funding for female entrepreneurs is one of the most widely misunderstood areas in grants. Contrary to popular belief, few grants exist is this space. The 2018 Women Entrepreneurship Fund was the first real attempt to offer straight up cash (reimbursed) to women entrepreneurs, but it hasn’t opened since. Also, Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity Grant and Contribution Program has not reopened since its closing date of February 15, 2022.
Still, some grants are available to women, but they are in a number of different places.
To help you understand how to win grants in this space, I encourage you to read a piece I wrote about helping my sister win a $426,000 grant from the Status of Women grant. You’ll pick up a few tips in that article. If you want more tips, you can find 100 of them in my book.
Download Now! Five Grant Gotchas
SETTING THE STAGE
Here is the current status of women grants in Alberta (as of 2021). The former Status of Women Community Grant Program has been consolidated under the Community Initiatives Program (CIP) – Project Based stream for community-based initiatives focused on addressing gender-based violence, women’s economic security and women in leadership.
Below is a list of more grants.
BUSINESS AND NON-PROFIT GRANTS FOR WOMEN
Ministry of Arts, Culture and Status of Women
Value: Varies. You’ll notice the government is now grouping several regular grants on this site, so they are not all specific to women. Loads of money though.
Description:
Works to improve Albertans’ quality of life through support of cultural development, historical preservation and increased gender equality. It offers few women grants and accept applications through multiple intakes on an annual basis.
Contact Information: 780-427-2711 or 310-0000 (Toll-free)
Website: https://www.alberta.ca/culture-multiculturalism-and-status-of-women.aspx
Startup Women | Startup Canada
Value: Varies.
Description:
Dedicated to showing up for women all year round, Startup Women is an annual program offering support to early stage women-identifying entrepreneurs across Canada. We know that when you support women, you support a nation.
Startup Women 2024
Throughout the year, beginning in February, Startup Canada will be hosting several live webinars, industry advisory circles as well as in-person mentoring sessions and in person events focused on supporting and celebrating women-identifying entrepreneurs.
Startup Women Advocacy Network (SWAN)
Interested in being a part of this year’s SWAN? Do you know an early stage, women-identifying entrepreneur that would be a great fit? SWAN initiative helps showcase women-identifying entrepreneurs from coast to coast to coast. Learn more.
Contact Information: hello@startupcan.ca
Website: https://www.startupcan.ca/explore/startup-women/
Women and Gender Equality Canada
Value: Varies.
Description:
WAGE issues targeted calls for proposals on specific themes, each with a number of predetermined elements, and application deadlines. Additionally, through a continuous intake process, WAGE is able to address emerging issues as they arise. To ensure your proposed project fulfills the requirements of the eligibility criteria, please consult the General eligibility requirements for Women’s Program, the General eligibility requirements for GBV Program or the General eligibility requirements for SSOGIE Program. You may also contact a Women and Gender Equality Canada office to discuss the application with a Program Officer.
Learn more about the funding programs from Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) as well as the open, closed and ongoing funding opportunities.
- Women’s Program
- Gender-Based Violence Program
- Equality for Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression Program (SSOGIE)
- How do I apply?
- Funding opportunities
Deadline: Open and closes.
Contact Information: 1-855-969-9922 or 613-995-7835 │ WAGE.NationalRegion-RegionNationale.FEGC@wage-fegc.gc.ca
Website: https://women-gender-equality.canada.ca/en/funding/funding-programs.html
Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women
Value:
- The AIG-W is a taxable grant worth $3,000 per level, awarded to registered apprentices.
- You must complete your first year/level (or equivalent) to apply for the AIG-W.
- You can apply for this grant twice during your training (for a maximum of $6,000).
- You can apply for your second AIG-W after completing your second year/level (or equivalent) of training.
Description:
The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women (AIG-W) helps you pay for expenses while you train as an apprentice in a Designated Red Seal Trade where women are underrepresented.
- The AIG-W is a taxable grant worth $3,000 per level, awarded to registered apprentices.
- You must complete your first year/level (or equivalent) to apply for the AIG-W.
- You can apply for this grant twice during your training (for a maximum of $6,000).
- You can apply for your second AIG-W after completing your second year/level (or equivalent) of training.
To be eligible for the AIG-W, you must:
- be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person
- not be a high school student
- have the required AIG-W supporting documents
- be registered with your provincial or territorial apprenticeship authority as an apprentice in an eligible designated Red Seal trade where women are underrepresented.
- provide proof that you have successfully completed, on or after April 1, 2018, either your first or second year or level in a designated Red Seal trade
- self-identify as a woman.
Deadline: The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women (AIG-W) pilot project ended March 31, 2023.
Contact Information: 1-866-742-3644 or 1-866-909-9757
The Canadian Women’s Foundation
Value: Varies.
Description:
The Canadian Womens’s Foundation prioritizes programs that are:
- designed for women, girls, and Two Spirit, trans, and non-binary people who face multiple barriers
- developed in collaboration with the participants they serve
- grounded in a strong gender-based analysis
Eligible Applicants:
Accept applications from incorporated, non-profit organizations that have a valid charitable number from Canada Revenue Agency, or First Nations Bands designated as qualified donees and by Canada Revenue Agency.
Programs:
- Teen Healthy Relationship Grants – This grant stream opens once every 4 years. Last awarded in 2020.
- Rebuilding Lives Grants – Applications for this cycle have closed. Successful applicants will be announced in March 2024.
- Economic Development Grants – This grant stream opens once every 5 years. Last awarded in 2023.
- Girls’ Fund Grants – This grant stream opens once every 4 years. Last awarded in 2020.
- Investment Readiness Program (IRP) Grants – This grant stream opens once every 4 years. Last awarded in 2022.
- Community Needs Grants – Applications for this cycle have closed. Successful applicants will be announced in Summer 2024.
Deadline: Open and closes. Grant proposals are accepted only during application periods. We do not accept unsolicited proposals outside of these periods.
Contact Information: Canadian Women’s Foundation │ 1-866-293-4483 │ info@canadianwomen.org
Website: https://canadianwomen.org/our-work/learn-about-funding/
Crisis Fund | Global Fund for Women
Description:
Global Fund for Women’s crisis strategy empowers local, gender-sensitive crisis response, rebuilding, and resilience. When disaster response takes a feminist and grassroots approach, it can lead to long-term changes in cultural norms and lasting policies and services for marginalized groups.
Our Crisis Fund has supported partners during health crises, including COVID-19; political upheavals; and in the wake of natural disasters among many other crises that are not in the headlines. Since its establishment in 2014, we have awarded more than $12 million to 327 organizations responding to crisis in 70 countries.
We provide short-term grants to address immediate needs such as food, shelter, and security, as well as multi-year grants to help communities rebuild while addressing the root causes of gender injustice and structural inequalities. Our grantee partners are uniquely positioned to lead crisis response because of their long-term relationships with local communities and ability to get resources to those who are often overlooked by mainstream response efforts—including Black and Indigenous people, LGBTQI+ people, people with disabilities, religious and ethnic minorities, displaced communities, and those living in remote locations to name a few.
Contact Information: (415) 248-4800 │info@globalfundforwomen.org
Website: https://www.globalfundforwomen.org/what-we-do/crisis-fund/
Women in Sport Encouragement (WISE) Fund Grant | Canadian Women and Sport
Value: With the support of Sport Canada, the 2021 WISE Fund will grant 30 organizations $2500 to advance gender equity in Canadian sport.
Description:
Since 2004, Canadian Women & Sport has awarded over $300,000 in grants through our WISE Fund to leaders and organizations across Canada. With the support of Sport Canada, the 2022 WISE Fund awarded 45 organizations $2500 to advance gender equity in Canadian sport – helping Canadian Women & Sport bring our strategic goals to life.
Why is there a need for WISE? Women and girls want different things from sport than boys and men. Often, funding is the top barrier reported on why programs cannot be adapted for women and girls. This annual grant removes that financial barrier for organizations committed to creating a gender equitable sport landscape through a variety of programs, projects and opportunities for women and girls.
Contact Information: info@womenandsport.ca
Deadline: Closed.
Website: https://womenandsport.ca/2022-wise-fund-grant-recipients-announced/
Canadian Women in Local Leadership (CanWILL) | Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)
Value: $10,000.
Description:
Canadian Women In Local Leadership (CanWILL) is a three-year project (2021-2024) that is part of FCM’s portfolio of social inclusion initiatives. The project aims to increase the participation and retention of women in municipal leadership and support a more diverse, inclusive and equitable environment in municipal governance processes. The project prioritizes underrepresented women, including Indigenous, Black and other racialized women, as well as youth and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community. The project leverages the success of FCM’s Toward Parity in Municipal Politics (2018-2020) and Diverse Voices (2016-2018) initiatives.
CanWILL aims to achieve four core objectives:
- Strengthening the capacity of women, particularly women from equity deserving groups, to run for elected office
- Creating a more conducive context for women leaders to thrive
- Enhancing the capacity of municipal stakeholders to address gender-based violence and harassment
- Mobilizing knowledge and sharing best practices across municipalities
Contact: FCM | 613-241-5221
Website: https://fcm.ca/en/programs/women-in-local-government/wilg/canadian-women-in-local-leadership
WES Ecosystem Fund | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada:
Value: WES Ecosystem Fund has invested $100 million over five years to strengthen capacity within the entrepreneurship ecosystem and close gaps in service for women entrepreneurs.
Description:
As part of the Strategy, the Government is ensuring women across Canada have access to the business supports they need to start or grow a business.
To date, the WES Ecosystem Fund has invested $100 million over five years to strengthen capacity within the entrepreneurship ecosystem and close gaps in service for women entrepreneurs.
The first call of the WES Ecosystem Fund (2022) valued at $25 million, launched January 11, 2022 and closed March 15, 2022, focused on supporting not-for-profit organizations to strengthen capacity and address ecosystem gaps for diverse populations of women entrepreneurs. Recipients of 2018 funding were not eligible to apply.
The second call of the WES Ecosystem Fund (2022) (valued at $40 million), launched July 28, 2022 and closed September 26, 2022. This call focused on supporting not-for-profit organizations to provide business supports for women entrepreneurs and strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Canada. The funding prioritized projects in areas of strength for women, as well as projects providing services to women entrepreneurs in rural and remote areas or the North. Recipients of 2018 funding were eligible to apply.
Contact: ISED | 1-800-328-6189
Website: https://ised-isde.canada.ca/site/wes-ecosystem-fund/en
WES Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative:
Value: Varies.
Description:
The WES Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative will fund projects that strengthen and build a more inclusive venture capital environment for Canadian women.
The Government of Canada continues to be committed to advancing gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, and supporting women entrepreneurs through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) .
The call for proposals of the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative is now closed. We are no longer accepting applications.
Contact: ISED | 1-800-328-6189
Venture-Capital Ready: Investment Training for Women Entrepreneurs Ready | Small Scale Food Processor Association Initiative:
Value: Varies.
Description:
Venture-Capital Ready: Investment Training for Women Entrepreneurs is a new initiative of the Small Scale Food Processor Association. With our many partners, we have created a Canada-wide program that trains BIPOC, gender diverse, rural, and otherwise marginalized women in the agri-food space to get financing, improve the networks and expertise they need. With this training, they will be READY to present their scale-up plan to interested investors.
Eligible Applicants:
Woman founder in the agri-food sector
Deadline: Ongoing.
Contact: Investment Training for Women Entrepreneurs | https://venturecapital.ssfpa.net/contact/
Website: https://venturecapital.ssfpa.net/
Women in the Skilled Trades Initiative │ Employment and Social Development Canada
Value: up to $3,000,000 for a project that is up to 48 months in duration.
Description:
The Women in Skilled Trades Initiative focuses on funding projects that recruit, retain, and help women apprentices succeed in the 39 eligible Red Seals trades found predominately in the construction and manufacturing sectors.
Eligible Applicants:
Your organization must be located in Canada and be 1 of the following types:
- union representing workers in Red Seal trades or an organization managing training funds for Red Seal trades workers, for example: a joint training fund set up by a union; a union and an employer association
- not-for-profit organization
- for-profit organization (provided that the nature and intent of the activity is non-commercial, not intended to generate profit, and supports program priorities and objectives)
- municipal government
- Indigenous organization including: band council; tribal council; Self-government entity
- provincial and territorial government including: agency; institution; Crown corporation
Eligible Expenses:
Eligible activities may include, but are not limited to:
- organizing women-led events
- creating partnerships with women’s groups, community colleges, unions or employers to promote the 39 eligible Red Seal trades
- supporting women’s progression through a Red Seal apprenticeship in at least 1 of the 39 eligible Red Seal trades
- offering mentorship by female role models, women-in-the-skilled-trades networks, and opportunities to share success stories
- creating a welcoming workplace where women can feel comfortable and safe in work sites
- providing wrap-around supports, such as guidance, tutoring, childcare support, flexible childcare arrangements
Deadline: December 1, 2022.
Contact: EDSC.DGOP.SCA-CAS.POB.ESDC@servicecanada.gc.ca
WOMEN IN STEM
Canadian Industrial Leadership Award
Value: One-time $6,000 bursary and the opportunity for full-time employment
Description:
In 2023, we will be awarding up to ten women enrolled in STEM programs at Universities and Colleges across Canada with a fully paid internship and executive mentorship at L3Harris, CAE, Thales Canada, Babcock Canada or General Dynamics Mission Systems–Canada. In addition, award recipients will receive a one-time $6,000* bursary (after tax) and the opportunity for full-time employment after successful completion of their program.
Eligible Applicants:
Any female Canadian citizen or permanent resident enrolled in the final year of a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program at participating universities across Canada are eligible to apply.
Deadline: Dates are determined by your co-op/placement program. Please refer to your co-op office for dates that pertain to your program.
Website: https://cilaward.ca/
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Digital | Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC)
Value: WIL Digital provides 50% of the student’s salary up to $5,000, or 70% up to $7,000 for underrepresented students.
Description:
ICTC’s Work Integrated Learning Program is an innovative Work Integrated Learning program that helps employers grow their businesses by providing financial assistance for hiring post-secondary students. ICTC’s Work Integrated Learning Program is funded by the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program (SWPP).
As of April 1st, 2022, ICTC’s COVID-19 flexibility measures have ended. The following eligibility requirements are reinstated:
- Wage subsidy of 50% up to $5,000 (or 70% up to $7,000 for underrepresented students)
- “Net new” requirement is in effect
- Post-secondary institutions are not eligible as employers
- Applications must be created in the application portal prior to the student’s start date
Contact Information: ICTC │ 613-237-8551 ext.159 │ wil_digital@ictc-ctic.ca
Deadline: Applications for Spring/Summer 2024 will be open on February 1st, 2024. All Spring/Summer applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Website: https://ictc-ctic.smapply.ca/prog/wil_digital/
Community Engagement | Repsol
Value: Varies
Description:
We maximize our positive impact on local communities by supporting projects and activities that deliver shared value for our stakeholders.
- Safety – We collaborate on projects that help promote safety in the community.
- Environment – We support projects that promote and protect the environment and biodiversity where we are present.
- STEM education – We support programs that motivate and empower the next generation of leaders and innovators.
- Innovation and technology – We collaborate on projects that promote opportunities in energy innovation and technology.
Contact Information: Repsol │ infous@repsol.com
Website: https://www.repsol.us/en/Community-engagement/index.cshtml
BUSINESS FRIENDLY LOANS
While Loans is a dirty word at our company, we recognize not many grants exist in this space, so you should be aware of these programs.
WOMEN IN TRADE/ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Women in Trade | Export Development Canada (EDC)
Description:
Through this program, Export Development Canada (EDC) manifest its dedicated to helping Canadian women-owned and -led businesses achieve success on the global stage by providing the financial solutions and knowledge to grow with confidence. The program aims to empowering women entrepreneurs to realize their global potential.
EDC’s Women in Trade – Investment Program has made $100 million available to provide equity growth capital to women-owned and -led companies that are scaling up, or venture capital funds, showing a commitment to promoting gender equity.
Contact Information: 1-800-229-0575
Website: https://www.edc.ca/women-in-trade
WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGICAL INDUSTRY
Women TechEU Open Call #2 | European Commision
Value: 3 000 000,00 €
Description:
The Women TechEU project is on a mission to ignite the potential of women-led early-stage start-ups in deep tech. 160 talented women entrepreneurs from all over the European Union and Horizon Europe associated countries will be receiving direct support. With 75k€ funding (Grant) and a personalized business development programme, the project will be paving the way for these innovators to shine as leaders in deep tech innovation across Europe.
During 2 years, the project will give out a total of 12 M€ in grants over 4 different competitive calls.
Contact Information: helpdesk@womentecheurope.eu
Women in Technology Venture Fund | Business Development Bank of Canada
Description:
We are one of the world’s largest venture capital funds dedicated to investing in women-led technology companies and helping build a robust ecosystem to support women in tech today and in the future.
We are unique in that we have a dual mandate: to deliver a return on investment and make a lasting impact on the Canadian tech ecosystem.
We invest in top-performing teams that aim to transform today’s global markets while fostering a network to support and create great female tech leaders — enabling a virtuous cycle of innovation, economic prosperity, and excellence across Canada.
Our focus
- Seed to Series B investment
- Invest in women-led Canadian technology companies across a wide range of sectors
- Access to resources, a broad international network and venture partners to help accelerate operations and scale globally
Contact Information: 1-877-232-2269
Deadline: This fund is closed to new investments and now focused on supporting existing portfolio companies.
Website: https://www.bdc.ca/en/bdc-capital/venture-capital/strategic-approach/pages/women-tech-fund.aspx
Download Now! Five Grant Gotchas
There is grant money waiting for YOU! BUT if you step in a “grant trap,” your application is a NO! Learn the FIVE most common errors to AVOID in government grants! Get the 5 Grant Gotchas now to save you countless hours.
