October 2025 – Grants and Funding Opportunities for Black-led and Community-Based Nonprofits

October 9, 2025

Big Grants for a big October, we’ve got a list of new and recurring grants for Black-led/ B3 organizations. Whether you’re launching a new initiative, scaling your impact, or need support for infrastructure and capacity-building, here are 15 current grants to help fund your Black non profit  in Canada to check out this month:

1. Black Ideas Grant (B.I.G.) 3.0 – 2025

What’s offered: $8 million in flexible, one-year funding for Black-led, Black-mandated, and Black-serving (B3) organizations across Canada. Supports initiatives that combat anti-Black racism, improve social outcomes, or enhance economic opportunities.

Who’s eligible:

  • Black-led, Black-mandated, and Black-serving (B3) charitable or non-profit organizations in Canada.

  • Unincorporated groups may apply in partnership with an incorporated B3 organization.

  • Projects must be completed by March 31, 2027.

💰 Grant Streams:

  • Core Stream: Up to $30,000 for essential organizational needs.

  • Catapult Stream: Up to $80,000 to launch or expand programs.

  • Community Capital Stream: Up to $200,000 for physical space projects with long-term community benefits.

Apply for the Black Ideas Grant here
Deadline: November 5, 2025 at 12:00 PM PT

2. Government of Canada Youth Justice Fund

What’s offered: Grants and contributions to support initiatives that strengthen the youth justice system, address emerging challenges, and promote greater involvement from citizens and communities.
Who’s eligible: Not-for-profits and organizations working with youth justice initiatives across Canada.

💰 Funding amounts: Varies based on project scope.

Apply for the Youth Justice Fund here
Deadline: October 17, 2025
📧 Contact: pb-dgp@justice.gc.ca

3. Supporting Black Canadian Communities Initiative (SBCCI)

 What’s offered: Funding to increase the capacity of grassroots not-for-profit organizations serving Black communities in Canada. Supports organizations through a fair, transparent process and strengthens community programs.
Who’s eligible: Black-serving or Black-led not-for-profits across Canada.

💰 Funding amounts: Varies based on intermediary and project scope.

Access program guidelines and register for an info session here
Deadline: October 18, 2025

4. Ontario Trillium Foundation Grow Grant

What’s offered: Grants to expand, enhance, or adapt proven programs and services that address community needs, supporting long-term growth and sustainability.
Who’s eligible: Ontario-based not-for-profits with established programs.

💰 Funding amounts: $100,000–$600,000 over 2–3 years

Apply for the Grow Grant here
Deadline: November 5, 2025
📧 Contact: otf@otf.ca

5. Starter Company Plus

 What’s offered: Training, mentoring, and grant funding to help entrepreneurs start, expand, or purchase a small business in Ontario. Participants receive business plan support, coaching, and networking opportunities.
Who’s eligible: Ontario residents 18 years or older who are not full-time students, and are starting, expanding, or buying a small business.

💰 Funding amount: Up to $5,000 in grant funding plus business training and mentorship.

Apply for the Starter Company Plus program here
Deadline: Applications open year-round through local Small Business Enterprise Centres.

6. IAP (Innovation Asset Collective) Grant

 What’s offered: Grants to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the data-driven clean technology sector remain competitive while scaling their businesses. The program supports intellectual property (IP) development, strategy, and growth.
Who’s eligible: Canadian SMEs involved in data-driven cleantech that are or become members of the Innovation Asset Collective (IAC).

💰 Funding amount: Up to $50,000 for IP strategy development and related activities.

Apply for the IAC Grant here
Deadline: Open year-round while funding remains available.

 

7. Costco Canada – Community Relations Grants (Rolling Deadline)

Focus: Supporting children, education, and health and human services.
Eligibility: Charities, nonprofits, and community-based organizations aligned with Costco’s philanthropic priorities.
Grant Amount: Warehouse donations and grant funding available.

Deadline: Rolling basis
Apply for Costco Community Relations Grants

8. Promise 1000 Youth Fund (Rolling Deadline – Toronto GTA, Ontario)

Focus: Empowering youth (ages 15–30) to design and deliver community development and community-building projects.
Eligibility: Youth-led initiatives and organizations supporting youth engagement and leadership.
Grant Amount: Based on project needs ($50-500)
Apply for the Promise 1000 Youth Fund

9. CIBC Community Investment Funding (Rolling Deadline)

CIBC offers funding through three distinct streams:

a) Financial Education & Inclusion

  • Focus: Enhancing financial literacy and confidence among individuals.
  • Eligibility: Canadian registered charities, not-for-profits, or qualified donees with sustainable funding models and measurable impact.
  • Deadline: Applications accepted year-round; reviewed between March and October.

Apply for The CIBC Financial Education Funding

b) Youth Empowerment

  • Focus: Programs that support healthy active living, education, enrichment, and assistance for children with disabilities, particularly for those aged 13 and under.
  • Eligibility: Organizations aiming to improve access to education and employment outcomes for underserved communities.

Apply for The CIBC Youth Empowerment Funding

c) Health & Wellness

  • Focus: Cancer research, treatment, screening, diagnosis, wellness, survivorship, and patient support programs.
  • 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

10. 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:

  • $10,000 monthly grant
  • $25,000 year-end grant opportunity
  • Recognition and exposure through the Amber Grant platform

Who’s eligible:

  • Women entrepreneurs in the U.S. or Canada  as well as
  • 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.

11. 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.

12. 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:

  • SEED: Planning and design costs
  • GROW: Capital construction or expansion

Learn more and apply for the SDF Capital Stream here
Deadline: Rolling intake (apply early) 

13. 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

14. 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)

15. TELUS Friendly Future Foundation Grants

  1. a) Community Board Grants
  • What’s offered: Up to $20,000 for single-year funding (up to $10,000 in Barrie and Central Ontario).
  • Focus: Local, grassroots health and education programs supporting youth up to age 29.
  • Eligibility: Canadian registered charities and qualified donees.
  • 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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