Resources
Business Basics
Have a great idea and want to start your own business? Do you understand what it takes to be successful?
This series of 11 free online learning sessions will help you decide if starting your own business is the right path for you, then guide you through the steps involved in getting started.
If you’re unsure of what it takes to start and run a business, you are in the right place! There’s a lot of thinking, planning, and research to be done before you can get started. Our Business Basics sessions will help you through that process, so you don’t need to figure it all out on your own.
For more information and to register, visit their website HERE!
Blumbergs' Canadian Charity Law Boot Camp 2025
April 15, 2025 @ 8:45 am – 4:30 pm
Online Event
Cost: $295.00 (includes materials, registration fees and taxes) (there is an early bird discount for a limited period of time)
This one-day workshop will deal with questions that all charities (or potential charities) should consider: What are we trying to accomplish? Should we incorporate? Should we be a registered charity? What is the difference between for-profit, non-profit and registered charity?
The session will cover matters that are significant for any operating charity surrounding revenue generation rules, receipting, transparency, and protecting your charity against risks. Topical issues such as collaboration, foreign activities, political activities and the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (CNCA) and Ontario Non-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA) will be touched upon as well.
For full agenda and to register, click HERE!
April Funding! Check out these grant opportunities!
As April 2025 approaches, numerous grant opportunities are available across Canada, catering to a diverse range of sectors and initiatives. Here's a curated list of notable grants with upcoming deadlines.
Please note that application deadlines and eligibility criteria may vary. It's essential to review the specific requirements and deadlines for each program to ensure successful application submissions.
Alberta Foundation for the Arts
This Art Acquisitions program provides support for individual Alberta artists or an ensemble of artists through the purchase of their artwork as a permanent part of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) Art Collection.
Deadline: April 1st, 2025
Grant amount: N/A
Ontario Arts Council
The Media Artists Creation Projects program supports individual professional Ontario-based media artists/directors working with film, video, audio, digital, new media, video and electronic games, and virtual reality as independent artist-controlled art forms in the production and post-production phases of their projects.
Deadline: April 1st, 2025
Grant amount: $10,000-$40,000
Ontario Arts Council
The Music Creation Projects program supports Ontario-based professional artists in creating original musical works. This program supports music creators at all career stages, working in all music genres/styles.
Deadline: April 3rd, 2025
Grant amount: $4,000-$20,000
Canada Council
The Professional Development for Artists component of Explore and Create supports the career growth of Canadian artists and artistic groups by encouraging participation in a wide range of development opportunities. Grants fund activities that contribute to the professional advancement of Canadian artists working in all artistic disciplines.
Deadline: April 9th, 2025
Grant amount: Up to $10,000
Canada Council
The Artist-Driven Organizations component of Explore and Create supports the development of artistic activities, from research, creation, and production through to dissemination, by Canadian arts organizations that are driven by the vision of artistic leaders.
Deadline: April 2nd, 2025
Grant amount: Up to 60% of your total annual revenues, averaged over the last 3 years.
Canada Council
The Translation component of Arts Across Canada funds activities linked to the translation of Canadian literary works or dramatic works into French, English, an Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit or Métis) language, American Sign Language (ASL), Quebec Sign Language (LSQ), or any other regional Canadian or Indigenous sign language for Canadian publication or presentation.
Deadline: April 2nd, 2025
Grant amount: Up to $25 000 for each translation, plus an Annual Supplement for targeted costs.
Canada Council
The Artistic Institutions component of Engage and Sustain funds major Canadian arts organizations rooted in their communities and dedicated to supporting artists and a variety of arts practices.
Deadline: April 2nd, 2025
Grant amount: Up to 25% of your total annual revenues, averaged over the last 3 years.
Canada Council
The Artistic Catalysts component of Engage and Sustain funds Canadian arts organizations that play a pivotal role in nurturing artistic practices and respond to the evolution of creative communities across Canada.
Deadline: April 2nd, 2025
Grant amount: Up to 50% of your total annual revenues, averaged over the last 3 years.
Canada Council
The Circulation and Touring component of Arts Across Canada funds touring and exhibition activities of Canadian artists, artistic groups and arts organizations.
Deadline: April 9th, 2025
Grant amount: Up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $200,000.
Canada Council
The Public Outreach component of Arts Across Canada supports activities of Canadian groups and organizations, as well as professionals in architecture, that contribute to the public appreciation and enjoyment of the arts.
Deadline: April 9th, 2025
Grant amount: Up to $100,000
BC Arts Council
Arts Impact Grants program is to allow applicants to prioritize a specific project or group of related activities that will provide the most meaningful impact to their organization, artistic practice, or to their community.
Deadline: April 9th, 2025
Grant amount: $30,000
BC Arts Council
Professional Development grants assist professional artists, cultural practitioners, production and technical personnel, and arts administrators with specific, short-term learning activities intended to advance their practice or career.
Deadline: April 10th, 2025
Grant amount: $7,500
New Brunswick Arts Board
The Documentation Grant Program is designed to provide assistance to New Brunswick arts professionals and professional artists for the research, development, and execution of original documentation and contextualization (written, film, video, multimedia) of arts activities, arts products or art history.
Deadline: April 1st, 2025
Grant amounts: Up to $10,000
New Brunswick Arts Board
The Creation Grant Program is designed to provide assistance to professional New Brunswick artists for the research, development and execution of original projects in the arts. Creation Grants are intended to allow artists to devote some or most of their time to research and creative production.
Deadline: April 1st, 2025
Grant amount: Up to $12,000-$20,000
Funding: Check out these March 2025 grant opportunities!
As of March 2025, several grant opportunities are available to support various sectors across Canada.
Below is a selection of notable programs with upcoming deadlines.
Please note that application deadlines and eligibility criteria may vary. It's essential to review the specific requirements and deadlines for each program to ensure successful application submissions.
Dance Projects
This OAC grant supports the creation, production and presentation of live and virtual dance and other initiatives that benefit the Ontario professional dance community.
Deadline: March 27th, 2025
Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $20,000
Short Term Projects
This Canada Council grant provides support for any combination of eligible Creating, Knowing and Sharing activities for projects lasting up to 12 months.
Deadline: March 26th, 2025
Grant amount: Up to $100,000
Music Production & Presentation Projects
This OAC grant supports the development and presentation of all genres of live and virtual music by Ontario-based professional musicians, ad hoc groups, collectives and organizations.
Deadline: March 26th, 2025
Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $20,000
Literary Publishing Projects
This Canada Council grant supports the publication of literary books and magazines authored by Canadian writers.
Deadline: March 26th, 2025
Grant amount: Up to $30,000
Residencies
This Canada Council grant funds activities linked to international artistic and cultural exchanges for Canadian artists, arts professionals, artistic groups and arts organizations. Grants support creative research, creation and networking activities within the context of an international residency.
Deadline: March 26th, 2025
Grant amount: Up to $20,000
Foreign Artist Tours
This Canada Council grant funds Canadian not-for-profit arts organizations to circulate exhibitions or tour artists from around the world and provide new experiences to the Canadian public.
Deadline: March 26th, 2025
Grant amount: Up to $75,000
Co-Productions
This Canada Council grant provides support for the realization of new works or exhibitions developed by Canadian artistic groups and arts organizations in partnership with foreign arts organizations. Support is for artistic co-productions or financial co-productions.
Grant amount: Up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $50,000
Business Plan:
A good business plan is your road map to success! A business plan is also required when applying for any type of small business financing. Learn more by signing up.
Your Numbers...Your Story:
This financial literacy webinar is geared towards female entrepreneurs and aims to provide an understanding on what is critical for success. Learn more by signing up.
Small Business:
Do you have an idea and you want to start your own small business, but you aren’t sure where to start? Attend this free seminar to find out how to start a business and more.
Celebrating Women's History Month: Grants to Support Women Entrepreneurs, Creatives and Leaders.
March is Women’s History Month—a time to recognize and celebrate the incredible contributions of women who are shaping our communities through art, innovation, social services, technology, and leadership.
Every day, women-led businesses and organizations drive meaningful change, often with limited resources. That’s why securing funding is essential to keep these powerful initiatives thriving.
If you’re looking for support to bring your next project to life, check out these 8 grants designed specifically for women entrepreneurs and women-led organizations.
IFUNDWOMEN – Grants and Loans
IFW is the go-to funding marketplace for businesses and the people who want to support them with access to capital, coaching, and connections. Join their Universal Grant Application Database.
WomensNet - Amber Grant
WomensNet proudly gives away at least $30,000 every month in Amber Grant money. In recognition of the diversity of businesses owned by women, they've also expanded their grant-giving to include “Startup Grants,” “Business Category Grants,” as well as three “$25,000 Year End Grants.
Visa - She's Next Grant Program
Visa is empowering women entrepreneurs across Canada, offering twenty $10,000 grants and access to an accelerated mentorship program through YSpace, York University.
Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Information The Canadian Chamber and its members provide ample opportunities for women in business to allow them to thrive. Get familiar with the grants and resources available to female entrepreneurs in Canada.
Moleskin Foundation
The Creativity Pioneers Fund catalyzes social change by investing in cultural and creative organizations by helping them sustain their essential needs, strengthen long-term capabilities, and continue working with their communities.
Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund
The Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund will help ensure that more women entrepreneurs have the tools and financing they need to succeed. The Government of Canada has selected several delivery organizations to provide loans to women entrepreneurs.
WAGE - Government of Canada
Learn more about the funding programs from Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) as well as the open, closed and ongoing funding opportunities.
BDC - Women in Technology Venture Fund
One of the world’s largest venture capital funds dedicated to investing in women-led technology companies and helping build a robust ecosystem to support women in tech today and in the future.
CWCF - JEDDI Training Bursary Fund
This fund prioritizes individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous or other People of Colour (BIPOC) communities and other Equity-Denied Groups (EDGs) who require financial assistance to pursue training in either co-op management or development.
New to leadership? Just moved into a supervisory role and need support?
We highly recommend checking out this amazing training offered by CompassPoint that will help you navigate your current or next supervisory role as a BIPOC leader.
Supervision for BIPOC Leaders:
Relationships and Structures That Help Us Thrive (2-Part Series)
As leaders in nonprofit organizations, we’re often tasked with supervising others, but rarely given time and space to explore how we want to show up in these relationships and what we should really focus on. This training is most relevant for leaders in nonprofits and social justice movement spaces who are responsible for supervising others. Leaders who are new supervisors (in particular) will find this training useful--although we also invite folks who want to deepen their understanding, or even reimagine their approach to supervision as well.
In this online workshop, you will:
Recognize how liberatory and transformational commitments and practices can be an antidote to white supremacy, patriarchy, and capitalism within supervision
Identify how the four types of power intersect with supervision
Gain skills (setting expectations and sharing feedback) to incorporate into your supervision practices
Learn more or sign up for this workshop HERE.
February Featured Grants: Funding Opportunities for Black Entrepreneurs, Artists, and Nonprofits.
As we celebrate Black History Month, it’s the perfect time to recognize and support the invaluable contributions of Black artists, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. At Creative Compass Solutions, we believe in investing in the present to pave the way for a thriving future. This month, we’re highlighting six grants designed to empower Black creatives, business owners, and nonprofits.
If you’re a Black entrepreneur, artist, or organization looking for funding opportunities, check out these five programs that can help bring your vision to life.
Black Entrepreneur Program – Black Opportunity Fund (BOF)
The Black Entrepreneur Program provides business education, financial literacy training, and capacity-building resources for Canadian Black-led businesses. This program supports Black entrepreneurs in developing the skills and knowledge needed to run sustainable, successful businesses. APPLY HERE.
Black Entrepreneur Startup Program – Futurpreneur
Designed for Black entrepreneurs aged 18-39, this program offers startup loan financing, mentorship for up to two years, and access to networking opportunities across Canada. Funded by RBC and BDC, it provides vital financial and professional support to early-stage Black businesses. APPLY HERE.
BDC Accelerator Loan Guarantee
The BDC’s Accelerator Loan Guarantee helps entrepreneurs secure loans from Canadian financial institutions for business expansion and improved cash flow. This initiative fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion within the entrepreneurial landscape by providing financial support for Black-led businesses. APPLY HERE.
NBA Black Youth Career Grant
The NBA Foundation is committed to supporting Black youth (ages 14-24) by funding organizations focused on career readiness, job training, and entrepreneurship. This grant is available for nonprofits serving Black youth within NBA markets in Canada and the U.S.
Key Application Dates:
• February 4 – March 14
• July 1 – August 15
Black Arts Grant – Toronto Arts Council
This grant supports projects by Black artists, collectives, and Black-led organizations across various disciplines, including visual arts, literature, performance, and more.
Key Details:
•Rolling deadline: Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, with results announced approximately four months after submission.
• Mentorship available: Free grant writing support is offered through the Neighbourhood Arts Network Mentor in Residence program.
• Eligibility: Black artists of African descent, including Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Latinx, and Afro-Indigenous communities living in Toronto. APPLY HERE.
Ontario Arts Council – Skills & Career Development Grant
This grant supports Indigenous arts professionals and artists of color in Ontario, funding mentorships, internships, and professional development programs. The next deadline for applications is April 29, 2025. APPLY HERE.
Stay Updated on New Grants!
We’re constantly adding funding opportunities to our resource page. If you’re looking for additional grants, check back regularly for the latest updates!
Need help with your application? Reach out to book a FREE consultation with us to talk about guidance and grant writing support.
Let’s build a stronger, more sustainable future together!
Top Tips & Tricks for Writing Grants:
Writing grants can be daunting, but it doesn't have to be! Here are some top tips to make the process smoother and increase your chances of success!
Give yourself time. Use the grant plan to identify grants and plan to give yourself at least a month to write and submit. Try and submit a week before the actual deadline. (Have another pair of eyes look at it before you submit if you can)
Start early and don’t wait to the last minute. Some funders (like the TAC, ArtReach) will review your grant if you get it to them 2-4 weeks ahead of the deadline.
Make sure if you need to register a profile on the funders website you do it right away.
Call the granting officer and discuss your project and if you have any questions.
Gather your support materials as early as possible. (especially if you are asking people to write you letters of reference)
Do your grant in chunks so it doesn’t get to overwhelming.
Check for spelling and grammar errors.
Use the language that the funder is using - look at key words on their website or if they produce any reports.
Follow the template exactly as they have provided it and answer all questions.
Provide a detailed workplan and budget.
Connect with potential sponsors, donors and partners early so you can include them on the grant.
Make sure to have good evidence when describing why your project is needed.
Apply for additional accessibility funding if you or anyone on your project will need it.
By following these tips, you'll significantly increase your chances of securing the funding you need to make a difference.
Remember, grant writing is a skill that improves with practice. Don't be afraid to seek guidance from experienced grant writers or mentors.
-by Paulina O'Kieffe-Anthony
Navigating Your Path to Success:
At Creative Compass Solutions, we believe that access to valuable resources is key to unlocking potential and achieving ambitious goals. Whether you're a non-profit striving to secure crucial funding, a small business aiming for exponential growth, or an entrepreneur crafting compelling proposals, we're here to guide you.
We're committed to making our expertise accessible to everyone, regardless of background or experience and will soon announce the launch (or latest update!) of our comprehensive resource page!
At Creative Compass Solutions, we're more than just a consulting firm; we're your partners in success. We believe in fostering a supportive community where individuals and organizations can learn from each other and access the resources they need to achieve their full potential.
We are excited to work with our community and we encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter to stay connected and access ongoing resources.
-The Creative Compass Solutions Team
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