Desjardins GoodSpark Grants for small businesses in Canada
Desjardins GoodSpark Grants for small Canadian businesses
$3 million in small business grants
The application period is now closed.
Recipients will be announced in spring 2024.
-
150 grants
-
$20,000
in financial assistance -
For the well-being
of individuals and the community
Who is eligible for a grant?
Small businesses that:
- Are Canadian-owned and operated
- Do business and have their headquarters in at least 1 of the following provinces: Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan
- Have a minimum of 1 employee and a maximum of 50 employees
- Have been registered for at least 1 year (before November 1, 2022)
- Have a project that tackles at least 1 of the following areas: sustainable development, health and well-being, innovation and community impact
Read the program rules (PDF, 180 KB) - This link will open in a new window.
Investing in projects that matter
Congratulations to our 2023 grant recipients
Learn more about our recipients and how they got the good news.
See the successful applicants
About Desjardins GoodSpark Grants
For over 120 years, we've been supporting small Canadian businesses.
GoodSpark Grants are just one more way we support entrepreneurs. By funding their projects, we're promoting their business growth and development.
FAQ
Our internal selection committee reviews all applications and selects the 150 recipients based on selection criteria, which include, but are not limited to:
- The extent to which the small business meets all eligibility requirements
- How the grant will impact the small business
- The applicant's written explanation as to why they should receive a grant and how it will be used
We encourage all applicants to read the program rules (PDF, 180 KB) External link. This link will open in a new window. and fill out the application form External link. This link will open in a new window. to the best of their ability. We cannot provide any feedback due to the large volume of applications.
Eligibility requirements are listed in the program rules (PDF, 180 KB) External link. This link will open in a new window. .
To be eligible for a GoodSpark Grant, your small business project must fit in at least 1 of the following categories: innovation, health and well-being, community impact or sustainable development. For the definitions of these categories, read the program rules (PDF, 180 KB) External link. This link will open in a new window. .
No, you can't make any changes to your application once it's been submitted.
Only 1 application per small business is allowed, and you cannot apply for more than 1 small business grant.
For the 2023–2024 edition, the winners will be informed in March 2024.
In most cases, we, or one of our local representatives, will deliver the grant cheques directly to the recipients.
No, cheques must be made payable to the business name as written in the application.
No, we are unable to provide this information due to the large volume of applications.
We may contact you to gather stories or testimonials on the progress of your project and on how the grant has helped your small business.
Yes, GoodSpark Grant recipients are eligible for government funding, loans or other sources of capital, such as fundraising. If in doubt, ask your accountant.