Call for Applications for the 2022/23 Micro-Grant Program: $30,000 in Cash Grants

Deadline: 14-Feb-23

The Innovators & Entrepreneurs Foundation (IEF) is seeking applications for the 2022/23 Micro-Grant Program.

The IEF micro-grants exist to support Canadian entrepreneurs and small & medium sized enterprise (SME) business owners belonging to racialized and/or equity-deserving communities as they overcome and recover from the various global and regional business disruptions and impacts of recent years.

Types of Grants

• They are thrilled to announce that they will be providing a total of $30,000 in cash grants and $11,000 in Meta advertising credits to deserving businesses. They have four micro-grant categories, and a total of six micro-grants worth $5000 cash each.
  • The Climate-Related Product Innovation Micro-grant, sponsored by UPS: a $5000 cash grant to be awarded to a business demonstrating innovation to address urgent climate-related issues.
  • The Global Impact Micro-grant, sponsored by UPS: a $5000 cash grant to be awarded to a business who has demonstrated international scale.
  • 3 x Woman Identifying Business Owner Micro-grant, sponsored by TD #TDWomenInEnterprise: three micro-grants of $5000 cash each ($15,000 total) to be awarded to women identifying business owners seeking access to a business grant to scale their business.
  • The Digital Innovator Micro-grant, sponsored by Meta: a $5000 cash grant plus $5000 in Meta advertising credits to be awarded to a business who moved their operations online as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Meta is also providing Meta advertising credits worth $2000 to three additional businesses who apply for (but do not win) the Digital Innovator Micro-grant.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applications/nominations can be submitted by individuals or organizations, by a third party or by a nominating partner. The application must be completed in full, and the person named as the applicant must be informed of the terms and conditions of the application.
• Only one submission per applicant per 2022/23 micro-grant category will move onto the adjudication process.
• Applicants can apply for more than one micro-grant category provided they meet the category qualifications. You must submit a new portal application for each application; one (1) per category.
• An applicant/nominee cannot receive more than one 2022/23 micro-grant per year.
• Applicants must:
  • Be alive and be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
  • Be at least one of the following for the business the application is based on:  founder, owner, co-founder, co-owner, person who owns or co-owns the entity or trademark for brand, product name, or service.
  • Be active in the business and a key decision-maker/senior leader.
  • Business has been registered with the Canada Revenue Agency.
  • The applicant identifies as a member of (a) equity-deserving or/and racialized community(ies). See definition below.
  • The business and/or the owner/co-owner or founder/co-founder meet the additional categorical requirements specified in the grant being applied for.

For more information, visit IEF.