The International Downtown Association Foundation has announced its Backing International Small Restaurants grant program aimed at helping restaurants to grow, recover, and support their local communities.

Supported by American Express, the program offers 20 grants of CAD $20,000 to support restaurants in the city. Funding can support a range of initiatives, including enhancing digital capabilities, building or refreshing dining spaces, and improving kitchen operations.

Available Funding and Opportunities

Through the program, 20 restaurants will receive:

• $20,000 grant to support their restaurants

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the program, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Be currently open for business, have been operating before September 1^st, 2025, and have a brick-and-mortar location/storefront. (Online-only or app-based businesses are not eligible)
• Be a small/independently owned for-profit restaurant, café, bar, or pub with a food offering and not part of a franchise with more than 5 locations
• Have a 2025 annual revenue below market-specific thresholds

Applicants are encouraged to visit the website for full details and additional eligibility requirements.

How to Apply

Eligible applicants can apply by visiting the IDA website and submitting their application before the deadline.

Deadline

Applications for the Backing International Small Restaurants grant program are due by November 16th, 2026.

As always, we’ll continue to share relevant grants, funding opportunities, and programs for entrepreneurs and small businesses across Canada.

For more updates on opportunities, events, and community initiatives across Toronto and the GTA, follow efosa on Instagram.