$5,000 CANIE MICRO-GRANTS, sponsored by UPS
Welcome to the application process for the CANIE Micro-Grants. We have heard your frustrations around accessing funding and set up our application process to be as easy and quick as possible. Our goal is to get $5,000 to you that can inject funding directly into your business and support you in a new or existing venture.
What are the timelines?
Applications will open on Wednesday 1st December 2021 and remain open until Monday 10th January 2022. We will consider each and every application with care and announce the businesses being awarded with the micro-grants on Tuesday February 15th 2022.
In addition to possibly receiving a CANIE Micro-Grant of $5,000, the Foundation also commits to promoting the services of each grant recipient through our social media platforms and networks.
Does my business qualify to apply?
The CANIE Micro-Grants are specifically for Canadian entrepreneurs and innovators from marginalized communities in one of more of the following categories:
- Indigenous Peoples
- People of Colour
- Women
- Youth
- Seniorpreneurs
- Military Veterans
- New Immigrants
*Applicants must have been officially running their business for at least 1 full year.
NOTE: The Foundation is committed to extending our work to additional marginalized communities as we continue to grow and scale.
What sort of information do I need to share to apply?
To ensure the grants find the most deserving recipients the Foundation asks for some fundamental details and confirmation your business is legitimate and a viable enterprise. Beyond that we only ask that you share with us how the money will be used, its potential impact for your business and the timelines you would hope to see the return on the investment.
We are confident you can complete the application process in less than 1 hour and will be an email away should you need support or have questions about how best to complete the application.
What are the Grant options?
The Foundation has taken time to consider how to get the grants where they are needed quickly but also the industry sectors and businesses who have been particularly affected by the challenging events of the last couple of years.
Note: As the Foundation continues to grow and scale we commit to adding more micro-grants ensuring greater suite of options.
Grant 1 – IEF Creative Entrepreneurs Grant – $5,000
The purpose of this grant is to support entrepreneurs in creative industries (art, music, entertainment, fashion, independent media, design services etc.) with their business development and growth.
Grant 2 – UPS Product Innovation Award $5,000
The Product Innovation Award will be awarded to entrepreneurs developing innovative products across any industry sector.
Grant 3 – UPS Global Impact Award – $5,000
This Award aims to recognize solo entrepreneurs and startups making a social/environmental impact that transcends national borders through innovative products.
Grant 4 – The IEF Crisis Grant – $5,000
This award aims to support an entrepreneur or innovator who has been affected by natural disasters or been directly impacted by the effects of COVID.
NOTE: These grants will be complemented by a communications campaign that will highlight grant recipients by featuring their story on IEF social channels.
The Foundation sincerely thanks UPS Canada for their steadfast support and for helping us realize this initiative.
