August 2025 – Grants and Funding Opportunities for Black-led and Community-Based Nonprofits
Whether you’re launching a new initiative, scaling your impact, or need support for infrastructure and capacity-building, here are 13 current grants to help fund your Black non profit in Canada to check out this month:
1. City of Toronto – Identify ‘N Impact (INI) Youth Grant
What’s offered: Up to $17,000 for youth-led projects focused on civic engagement, leadership, community safety, or youth well-being.
Who’s eligible: Youth aged 10–29, grassroots youth-led groups, or non-profits serving Toronto communities.
Deadline: August 12, 2025
Contact: asmaa.mohamed@toronto.ca
👉🏾 Apply for the Identify ’N Impact Youth Grant here
2. Ontario Trillium Foundation – Seed Grant
What’s offered: Up to $100,000 for community-based planning, innovation, or capacity-building projects.
Who’s eligible: Ontario-based nonprofits, Indigenous communities, and grassroots initiatives.
Deadline: August 20, 2025
Contact: otf@otf.ca
👉🏾 Apply here
3. 8 80 Cities – Ontario Community Changemakers Program
What’s offered: Microgrants and leadership development for public space or civic engagement projects.
Who’s eligible: Ontario residents 19+ engaged in community change.
Deadline: August 25, 2025
Contact: occsupport@880cities.org
👉🏾 Apply here
4. Canadian Race Relations Foundation – National Anti-Racism Fund
The National Anti-Racism Fund (NARF)’s Projects Grants are one way that the CRRF supports communities across Canada in the fight against racism and discrimination.
What’s offered: $25,000–$125,000 for anti-racism initiatives building national impact and community capacity.
Who’s eligible: Racialized communities, Indigenous organizations, and religious minorities.
Projects must align with one or more of the following themes and objectives:
- Systemic racial barriers: Reducing barriers to inclusion by addressing systemic racism in education, healthcare, the justice system, public services, employment, and public life.
- Research and education: Promoting and increasing availability and accessibility of data, evidence, and community insights on race relations in Canada.
- Public awareness: Informing public policies by highlighting systemic and institutional barriers.
- Cultural and intercultural community-building: Creating cross-cultural opportunities through discussions and dialogue on race and religion, building awareness, and collaborations.
Deadline: August 29, 2025
Contact: grants@crrf.fcrr.ca
👉🏾 Apply here
5. Peel Region – Community Investment Program (Food Security Fund)
The purpose of the 2025–2026 Food Security Fund is to support community organizations address the urgent and growing issue of food insecurity in Peel. By investing in both emergency food access and capacity-building, the fund helps non-profit agencies deliver immediate relief and strengthen initiatives to improve food security outcomes across the region.
What’s offered:
- Stream 1: Emergency Food Access (up to $500,000/year)
- Stream 2: Capacity Building (up to $150,000/year)
Who’s eligible: Non-profits or charities operating in Peel (Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon).
Deadline: August 11, 2025
👉🏾 Apply here
6. Social Shifters – Global Innovation Challenge 2025
Young leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs everywhere are rising up to take action on the social and environmental issues that matter to them most. If you’re a young founder (18-30 years) leading a project or startup with a focus on social impact – our Global Innovation Challenge is for you
What’s offered: Up to $15,000 (multiple awards between $3,000–$15,000)
Who’s eligible: Youth-led (ages 18–30) social or environmental projects aligned with the UN SDGs.
Deadline: August 29, 2025
👉🏾 Learn more and apply for thw Social Shifters Grants
7. Shea Moisture Dream Fund
What’s offered: Grant funding and business support for Black women entrepreneurs in Canada.
Who’s eligible: Black female-identifying business owners in Canada.
Deadline: August 26, 2025
👉🏾 Apply now to the Shea Moisture Deam Fund
8. CIBC Community Investment Funding (Rolling Deadline)
CIBC offers funding through three distinct streams:
a) Financial Education & Inclusion
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Focus: Enhancing financial literacy and confidence among individuals.
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Eligibility: Canadian registered charities, not-for-profits, or qualified donees with sustainable funding models and measurable impact.
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Deadline: Applications accepted year-round; reviewed between March and October.
Apply for The CIBC Financial Education Funding
b) Youth Empowerment
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Focus: Programs that support healthy active living, education, enrichment, and assistance for children with disabilities, particularly for those aged 13 and under.
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Eligibility: Organizations aiming to improve access to education and employment outcomes for underserved communities.
Apply for The CIBC Youth Empowerment Funding
c) Health & Wellness
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Focus: Cancer research, treatment, screening, diagnosis, wellness, survivorship, and patient support programs.
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Eligibility: Organizations delivering programs that remove barriers to individuals’ life ambitions by improving cancer outcomes.
Apply for The CIBC Health & Wellness Funding
👉🏾 View funding guidelines
Deadline: Rolling
9. Amber Grant for Women Entrepreneurs
The Amber Grant Foundation awards a $10,000 grant each month to a woman-owned business in the U.S. or Canada, with an additional $25,000 year-end grant awarded to one of the monthly winners.
What’s offered:
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$10,000 monthly grant
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$25,000 year-end grant opportunity
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Recognition and exposure through the Amber Grant platform
Who’s eligible:
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Women entrepreneurs in the U.S. or Canada as well as
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All types of businesses and non-profits are welcome to apply — from idea stage to established companies
👉🏾 Apply for the Amber Grant here
Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis – apply by the end of each month to be considered.
10. Maytree Foundation Grants
Maytree believes that when human rights are protected, individuals and communities experience less poverty and we create a society that is inclusive, equitable, and prosperous. Maytree welcomes proposals from registered charities and community-based, non-profit organizations that have an explicit mandate to reduce poverty and build strong civic communities by advancing economic and social rights in Canada.
Apply for the Maytree Foundation Grant here
Deadline: Review of applications will continue on a rolling basis.
Please contact info@maytree.com with any questions.
11. Skills Development Fund – Capital Stream
What’s offered: Funding for organizations to build, upgrade, or convert skilled trades and training centres. Supports construction, renovations, and equipment for training delivery in high-demand fields.
Who’s eligible: Ontario-based organizations with experience delivering training or managing infrastructure—this includes Training Delivery Agents, not-for-profits, and Indigenous organizations.
💰 Up to 70% of eligible costs covered.
There are two funding streams:
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SEED: Planning and design costs
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GROW: Capital construction or expansion
Learn more and apply for the SDF Capital Stream here
Deadline: Rolling intake (apply early)
12. OPG Province-Wide Empowerment Grants
What’s offered: Project funding for initiatives that align with one of OPG’s priority areas—youth empowerment, strong communities, environmental protection, or Indigenous reconciliation.
Who’s eligible: Ontario-based not-for-profits. Province-wide or regional programs are both supported, but the scale of impact should match the stream.
💰 Province-wide: $10,000–$100,000
💰 Regional: $2,000–$25,000
Apply for the Power for Change Grant here
Deadline: September 30, and November 15, 2025
13. Ontario Arts Council – Accessibility Fund: Project Support
What’s offered: Funding to help Deaf artists and artists with disabilities reduce barriers when applying for or delivering an OAC-funded project. Covers costs like interpretation, personal support workers, adaptive tech, or accessible travel.
Who’s eligible: Artists or collectives who are Deaf or have disabilities and are applying for—or have received—an OAC project grant.
💰 Up to $5,000 (up to 50% of your main project grant)
Apply for the Accessibility Fund here
Deadline: Rolling (decisions made within 8 weeks)
14. TELUS Friendly Future Foundation Grants
a) Community Board Grants
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What’s offered: Up to $20,000 for single-year funding (up to $10,000 in Barrie and Central Ontario).
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Focus: Local, grassroots health and education programs supporting youth up to age 29.
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Eligibility: Canadian registered charities and qualified donees.
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Deadline: Rolling; one application per calendar year per Community Board region.
👉🏾 Apply for The TELUS Friendly Future Foundation Grants
More Grant Writing Resources
Grants play a crucial role in helping grassroots organizations, youth leaders, and community builders bring transformative ideas to life. If your project aligns with any of these funding opportunities, be sure to apply before the deadlines but before you begin the application process, check out this article for some crucial insights that can increase your chances of success.
If you’d like assistance with grant writing or program development, Join our Black Builder Network where we provide resources and opportunities for Black-led, Black focused and Black Serving, organizations, non-profits, entrepreneurs and more. Together, let’s drive impact and build a brighter future for our youth.
Stay connected for updates on more funding opportunities and youth programs!
About the Black Builders Network
The Black Builders Network is a Black Business and Nonprofit Resource Hub, your go-to destination for accessing a wide range of resources designed to support and empower black entrepreneurs, non-profits, and businesses. Sign up for free today!
About FBC
The Federation of Black Canadians is a national organization dedicated to advancing the social, economic, and cultural well-being of Black communities across Canada. Through advocacy, education, and community initiatives, FBC strives to create equitable opportunities for all.
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