A list of community resources, private grants, and other non-governmental supports that could provide some much-needed financial help.
Most businesses grappling with the financial fallout from COVID-19 have taken advantage of support programs set up by the Government of B.C. and the Government of Canada. Here are some other options.
Grants
Canada United Small Business Relief Fund
Closed for applications.
This fund provides up to $5,000 to small businesses for COVID-19 recovery efforts, such as purchasing PPE, renovating physical spaces, or developing your website or e-commerce capabilities.
Facebook Small Business Grants
Closed for applications.
Facebook is offering $3,200 in cash and $2,000 CAD in optional ad credits to eligible small businesses in Canada experiencing challenges due to COVID-19.
Innovator Skills Initiative
All companies in B.C., can apply for up to $10,000 to hire a post-secondary student to help with post-COVID-19 business planning and operations. Technology businesses hiring for a business or tech role are eligible, along with any business hiring for a tech role.
Format Photographer Fund
Closed for applications.
Online portfolio platform Format is offering $25,000 in grants to freelance photographers affected by COVID-19. The fund offers assistance of up to $500 per eligible person.
Canadian Writers’ Emergency Relief Fund
The Writers’ Trust of Canada, The Writers’ Union of Canada, Royal Bank of Canada, and Access Copyright Foundation jointly launched a $250,000 relief fund to support professional creators financially hit by the pandemic. Successful applicants each receive a grant of $1,500.
Vancouver Foundation LEVEL BIPOC Grants
Closed for applications.
Flexible, general operating grants of $50,000 for BIPOC-led organizations in BC to support their work in racial equity and racial justice.
Loans
Futurpreneur
Futurpreneur is supporting young Canadian business owners with temporary loan relief, interest rate cuts, peer-to-peer support, a national collaboration Slack channel, and an up-to-date digital resource guide.
Community Futures
Community Futures offers entrepreneurs loans up to $150,000 that are designed to help businesses grow. Their processes are streamlined so that they can move at the speed of small business.
Shopify Capital
Ecommerce platform Shopify is offering financial support in the forms of fixed-fee loans from under $2,000 to over $100,000. The service is open to Shopify users and eligibility is based on your history with the platform. Repayment is through a percentage of your future sales through Shopify. Shopify also extended its free trial from 14 days to 90 days.
Farm Credit Canada
If you are in the agriculture and food industry sector, Farm Credit Canada is offering access to an additional credit line up to $500,000 and other financing products.
Vancity Credit Union
Vancity is offering mortgage payment deferrals, payment flexibility, fee waivers, and emergency working capital to members.
Women’s Enterprise Centre Business Loans
The Women’s Enterprise Centre offers business loans for women-owned businesses in B.C. During COVID-19, the organization is also offering loan clients concessions, such as repayment holidays. On July 16th, Western Economic Diversification Canada released further funds to enable Women's Enterprise Centre to help women entrepreneurs across British Columbia. Find Out More.
Credits and Freebies
Thinkific Growth Fund
Got an idea for an online course? Online course platform Thinkific has created a $1m growth fund to support entrepreneurs. They will match you with a mentor and provide free access to their platform to create and sell a course. The program also provides ad credits to promote your course.
MailChimp
Email marketing platform MailChimp committed $10m in price relief support to its small business customers. The company is also giving away free custom .com domains for five years to customers.
Unbounce
If your business is in healthcare, education, or not-for-profit, inbound marketing platform Unbounce is offering a free account for three months.
Google Ad Credits
Closed for applications.
Google is offering $340 million in ad credits to small- and medium-sized businesses around the world.
Rogers Sports & Media - All In For Equity
Rogers Sports & Media is giving away at least $10 million dollars in free advertising and creative services over the next five years to help small businesses, charities, and organizations that support equity-seeking groups.
Free Facebook or Instagram Marketing PlanIf you have an Instagram account and/or a Facebook Page for your business, you can get a free, personalized social media marketing plan through Facebook for Business.
Back to Business
Small Business BC is committed to helping business owners reopen in a safe and successful manner. Our Back to Business campaign features specific advice and guidance in the following areas:
Visit our Back to Business resource page
