Ecosystem Fund to assist Non-Profit Organizations in Canada

Each of the programs is designed to elevate 2SLGBTQI+ businesses and foster greater diversity and inclusion across Canada’s economy.

Objectives

• Funded through the Government of Canada by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), the 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program’s Ecosystem Fund is an $8.5M funding stream for non-profit organizations that support 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs. It aims to break down barriers to starting, maintaining, and growing a business among Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) across Canada. This support will target non-profit organizations that work with, and support, 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs to enhance organizational sustainability, in order to drive growth, competitiveness, innovation, and productivity towards broader economic and social benefits.
• The 2SLGBTQI+ Ecosystem Fund will contribute to the following overall objectives:
  • Increasing program, capacity-building, and skills development opportunities for 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs to start, scale, grow, and maintain a business and/or adjust to new economic realities;
  • Growing the capacity of 2SLGBTQI+ and entrepreneurship organizations, particularly in regions where this ecosystem support is limited or non-existent, so that they can better support 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs;
  • Increasing the awareness of issues faced by 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs, including gathering data and building knowledge on the 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurship landscape, to improve the coordination of supports and close gaps in service for 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs; and
  • Fostering a stronger, interconnected community of 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs and ecosystem organizations.
• Through the Ecosystem Fund, the project expects to support 2SLGBTQI+ and entrepreneurship focused organizations in growing their capacity to support 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs, particularly in under-served communities. Activities under the Ecosystem Fund will deliver on the following outcomes:
  • 2SLGBTQI+ small businesses and entrepreneurs are aware of support and partnership opportunities available to them, and
  • 2SLGBTQI+ small businesses and entrepreneurs have access to programs and services to start, scale, maintain, and/or grow their businesses.
• The Ecosystem Fund will prioritize projects which provide services to 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs in regions or demographics currently under-served by existing infrastructure. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs in rural or remote geographic areas,
  • Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs,
  • Trans and gender-diverse entrepreneurs,
  • 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs from visible minority groups, and/or
  • 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs with disabilities.

 Funding information

• Local (city or town based) organizations and projects: Funding from $10,000 to $150,000
• Regional organizations and projects: Funding from $15,000 to $250,000
• Provincial or national organizations and projects: Funding from $20,000 to $400,000

Eligible Activities

There are two main categories of activities that can be funded through the Ecosystem Fund:

• Projects that support the learning and development of 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs and strengthen capacity within the 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurship ecosystem in Canada.
• Examples may include, but are not limited to:
  • Capacity building and skills development opportunities (e.g. training and education, strategic business and/or financial planning, networking, matchmaking, mentorship and coaching, and advisory services);
  • Projects that help 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs to start, scale, grow, and/or maintain a business;
• Capacity-building activities that will help the organization(s) to better support and service the 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurship community.
• Examples may include, but are not limited to:
  • Hiring of staff;
  • Internal governance, strategy, or policy development related to inclusion and improving the organization’s ability to serve the 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurship community;

Eligibility Criteria

• The following section outlines the eligibility requirements for those organizations that are considering applying to the Ecosystem Fund:
  • Eligible organizations
    • For an organization to receive funding from the Ecosystem Fund, it must meet the following criteria:
      • Be an incorporated non-profit organization or registered charity in Canada, and Fall under one of the following categories:
        • Have an established mandate focused on supporting 2SLGBTQI+ communities, or
        • Offer programs and services for entrepreneurs, aimed at capacity-building, skills development, and/or networking
    • When assessing applications, they will be looking for the following details:
      • Applicants, and/or partners, must be able to demonstrate experience and expertise in running entrepreneurial programming, and
      • Whether the organization has a strong connection to communities it serves. This may mean representation on the board, leadership team, or staff delivering the project, and/or established advisory groups, relationships, or similar.
  • Please note: Applications submitted by non-2SLGBTQI+-led or focused organizations, as the lead applicant, must demonstrate a strong commitment to principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the organization (e.g. internal policies, existing DEI committee, description of actions taken), as well as one or more of the following:
    • A partnership, or existing relationship(s), with 2SLGBTQI+ organizations or community leaders;
    • Prior impactful programming, working with 2SLGBTQI+ communities;
    • Proven authentic engagement with 2SLGBTQI+ communities (e.g. an advisory group, consultants, letters of support or endorsements from 2SLGBTQI+ communities).

Ineligibility

• Individuals (private citizens, entrepreneurs);
• For-profit companies;
• Crown corporations;
• Any other organization that doesn’t meet the eligibility criteria.

For more information, visit CGLCC.