The Government of Ontario has opened applications for the Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs (RAISE) grant program, which supports Indigenous, Black, and other racialized entrepreneurs who live and operate their businesses in Ontario.

The RAISE will provide:

• Business development training
• Culturally responsive and tailored business coaching
• Networking opportunities
• A one-time grant of $10,000

The grant program processes complete applications on a first-come, first-served basis until the program’s capacity is reached. To be eligible for the program, applicants must be an Indigenous, Black, or other racialized individual who owns a small business in Ontario.

Once admitted into the program, participants must complete business development training and business coaching (including networking) and complete a Business Action Plan that is reviewed by the business coach and validated by the Government of Ontario before receiving the grant payment.

After completing the program, participants will be required to submit a report confirming that they have used the entirety of the grant on eligible expenses related to their Business Action Plan. Participants will also be invited to participate in surveys and other evaluation methods to enhance the quality of the program.

Available Funding and Prizes

Eligible business owners can receive a one-time grant of $10,000.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Eligible businesses must

• Be registered with the Canada Revenue Agency
• Operate in Ontario on September 10th, 2025, and at all times while participating in the program.
• Not be a business or applicant that participated in the RAISE grant program in previous years.
• Not be a franchise, including those individually owned and operated.

You can view the complete list of eligibility criteria here.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit the site to apply.

DEADLINE

Applications for this program are due by October 1st, 2025

As always, we will keep you posted on relevant grant programs and contests for small businesses and organizations in the Greater Toronto Area.

Like what you see? Keep up-to-date with our activities on our Instagram.