No one can be guaranteed funding without first going through the simple process of applying. Every year, billions of tax dollars are distributed by both the federal and provincial governments, but only to those who apply and are approved. Our knowledge and expertise is a valuable resource for finding out where, how, and to whom one should apply.

Yes, some programs are indeed industry specific. There are programs for tourist related businesses, export promotion, manufacturing, fishing or agriculture, book and magazine publishing, arts and culture, etc. However, many programs are for everyone and apply to any and all business types. Feel free to review our grant recipients database for examples of past government funding.

Absolutely. In fact, as long as you qualify, we encourage you to apply to as many as you can. This improves your chances of being accepted into at least one program. Many businesses apply to several programs knowing that one department may turn them down but another may accept their application.

We have found that most business-people simply do not have the time or resources required to undertake a thorough search of all possible sources of funding. Apart from this Centre, we know of no other one-stop source to access all federal and provincial assistance programs together. There are many competent financial consultants who could help you to get access to the programs, but be prepared to spend upwards of thousands of dollars in fees with no guarantee of success.

The Centre for Small Business Financing does not provide grants, loans, or funding. Our Centre does, however, provide important information about government grants and assistance programs for businesses and their owners across Canada. We cannot guarantee that any individual or firm will receive funding from any government body or agency. The Centre makes every reasonable effort to ensure that all information provided to clients is up to date and accurate, although we cannot be held responsible for any errors, changes, or omissions in our publications or web site because government departments regularly make changes to programs, eliminate others, and add new ones.

Since many programs are allocated a set amount of funding annually, it is possible that any given program's funding will become depleted for the year. In many cases these programs can be applied to again in the following year. To be sure the information you are using is correct, you should verify all facts and figures with the applicable government agency before making any business decision.

We make no claim that any recipients listed or success story profiled received funding as a result of Centre for Small Business Financing services and products unless specifically stated. We provide resources to the public to show that monies are available for those who qualify, and that its much easier to get funding than most people think if you understand the process and take action to apply.

There is no typically size restriction. You could have one employee, a hundred, or more. It makes no difference. There is usually a program that everyone can apply to.

Phone toll free at 1-800-658-9792, e-mail us or send a letter to: Centre for Small Business Financing 1500 Bank St., Room 425, Ottawa Canada K1H 1B8.

Every grant and loan program has a specific application process. These processes, as outlined in government publications, are often complicated and difficult to understand. However, Centre for Small Business Financing advisers are here to help you decipher these processes and provide the details in an easy to understand format.

It can be very fast. You could receive assistance as soon as a couple of weeks or as long as a year after you apply. It all depends on the program you apply to. Of course, the sooner you apply the sooner you could be accepted into a program. Some programs have application deadlines which must be respected. So, start applying as soon as you are able.

No, but you must use the funds for what you said you will use them for. Keep all receipts to support proof of any purchases made with the funds because the government program may ask to see copies.

Yes, if you are business partners. However, this should not hinder your acceptance into a program. Your first step is to look at the available programs and determine your eligibility. If you are not business partners, you can always apply on your own if you qualify according to the programs criteria.

It's just not true. While some programs have been cut, other programs have been added and many programs run perpetually. There are currently hundreds of funding programs available in Canada right now to new and existing small business owners. If provincial programs are few in your area, there are many federal programs that you can and should apply to.

Property tax breaks offer tax deductions for your small business on land and property purchases. Such grants can save your business money that may go to the development of the newly purchased property.

A relocation grants is a fund used specifically for financing the relocation of your business to another geographical area.

The government provides services such as training programs, and consulting and information services for small businesses like yours at little or no cost. Such services help your business develop, grow, and expand. These are very worthwhile programs and are generally offered to anyone who is registering a business. They are especially useful to start-up ventures.

Conditionally repayable contributions are government investments in business projects that do not have to be repaid if your project fails. This is much like a venture capitalist investing in your company, but only asking for return on investment if your project is successful and profitable. Such programs offer you a risk free approach to business start up and expansion.

A grant is a sum of money conditionally given to your business and that you do not have to repay. The grant can be used to purchase equipment, advertise, or conduct a marketing/feasibility study, among many other uses. A grant can also be any service provided at no charge by the government for which you would ordinarily have to pay. This could be free consulting or educational programs. Tax credits that reduce your commercial tax bill are a form of grants as well.

A loan from the government must be repaid, but with either low or no-interest. In some cases you are also given a longer term in which to repay the loan. The loan could may be obtained through a chartered bank, but guaranteed against default by the government.

Tax refunds and tax credits provide funding for your business start-up and expansion by deducting certain expenditures from the annual tax bill of your business. Your business may apply for tax refunds of past expenditures or receive tax credits on future projects. These tax breaks provide a financial break that can free up your business' cash flow allowing further development and security.

These government programs provide access to facilities, equipment, resources and trained staff for your business. These services are often beyond the capabilities of most small businesses to acquire. These services are provided directly from the government or financing is given to hire private resources.

An equity financing program is a government investment in your business. Unlike banks and investors, the government is less anxious about the returns on their investments so your business is under less pressure to deliver profits.

Government insurance will help your business pay back all or a portion of a bank loan in the event that the business or specific project fails. The insurance is often available to your business for low or no premiums. Providing a guarantee of loan repayment to the bank, your business may have less trouble applying for bank loans.

A guarantee for government purchases makes the government a consumer of your products or services. Such a program insures that your product or service will have a client base. The program helps your business to gain a foothold in the consumer market by increasing consumer confidence in your business or products.

The Centre for Small Business Financing is the largest research centre of its kind in Canada. Established in 1992 by concerned citizens who know it is a tax-paying business's right to have access to government funding. The Centre for Small Business Financing is an independent research organization (for profit) not affiliated with any government agency. We have closely tracked hundreds of government programs available to Canadian entrepreneurs in all ten provinces and three territories. To date we have shown tens of thousands of qualified Canadians how to easily get grants and loans for their businesses. Our international corporate head office is in Toronto, Canada and all transactions are facilitated there. For your convenience, you may use the mail forwarding address in Ottawa found at the bottom page of this site.

There are hundreds of Federal and provincial government resources available if you know where to look. There are grants & subsidies (one-time & renewable), low-interest or no-interest loans for worthwhile business purposes, various tax refunds or tax credits programs and initiatives, government insurance against business risks, relocation grants, government purchases of your product or service, conditionally repayable contributions, grants in-lieu of property taxes, equity financing programs, and many other resources most Canadians know little about. We currently offer full information on all government funding sources and can give you quick and easy access to what is available today for your small business. Important funding information such as:

* Government funding program titles
* Government funding program qualifications
* Government funding program benefits
* Detailed contact information with up to date phone, fax, email and website address
* Exclusive interviews with funding recipients, including details of what works and why.
* Sample grant applications
* Access to our proprietary database of over 10,000 funding recipients which grows daily

Please note we don't represent that any recipients or success stories profiled received monies as a result of the Centre's services and products unless specifically stated.

You can find grant information by contacting each individual government department (there are over 60) and asking them to provide you with detailed information on the many funding opportunities they offer to small businesses. Of course, this can be time consuming with phone calls and letters going back and forth. Alternatively, visit our program types and case studies pages or just phone toll-free 1-800-658-9792 to speak with one of our grants and loans representatives.

This is a common misconception. The government has always been helping small businesses but hasn't always publicized this fact. The government does want small businesses to grow and hire people and realizes that small businesses are the backbone of our economy. To this end, billions of dollars are spent each year to lend support to business-people like yourself in the form of grants, loans, and many other types of assistance. In many cases governments seek economic improvement in response to either lobby group pressure or to improve their chances of re-election.

It symbolizes the relatively non-commercial nature, public service mission, and non-corporate culture of the Centre for Small Business Financing.

The Centre for Small Business Financing has research staff with expertise in the government funding opportunities of every province and region of Canada. Our databases are arranged to be easily referenced, both by area and business type. If any government office offers funding for your type of venture, we have it listed and referenced so you can access it easily. Feel free to review our grant recipients database for examples of past government funding.