RAISE Grant Ontario (2025–2026): Who It’s For, Funding Amount, and How It Works

RAISE Grant Ontario (2025–2026): Who It’s For, Funding Amount, and How It Works

If you’re searching for the RAISE grant Ontario, you’re likely an entrepreneur looking for startup or early-stage funding plus hands-on support. RAISE stands for Racialized and Indigenous Supports for Entrepreneurs, a provincial program that combines training, coaching, and a $10,000 grant for eligible Ontario businesses. The most recent intake was announced on September 10, 2025, with $5 million committed for the 2025–26 cycle.

This page focuses on what’s changed for 2025–26, who qualifies, and what to do if the intake isn’t currently open.

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What Is the RAISE Grant in Ontario?

The RAISE grant Ontario is a Government of Ontario program designed to reduce barriers for Indigenous, Black, and other racialized entrepreneurs. Unlike many business grants, RAISE pairs funding with structured business training and coaching.

Here’s how the 2025–26 program works:

• Grant amount: Up to $10,000 per business
• Total program funding: $5 million province-wide
• Support included:
  • Business training
  • One-on-one coaching or mentorship
  • Non-repayable grant funding tied to participation
• Program launch (2025–26): September 10, 2025
• Delivery: Directly through the Province of Ontario (not through Digital Main Street intake)
• Status as of March 6, 2026: Intake announcements vary by cohort; no always-open application window

This delivery change is important. In earlier years, some entrepreneurs associated RAISE with Digital Main Street. For the current cycle, applications are managed by the Province, with approved delivery partners supporting training.

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Who Is Eligible for the RAISE Grant Ontario?

Eligibility is tightly defined. Based on the current program details, your business must meet all of the following:

• Majority owned by an Indigenous, Black, or other racialized entrepreneur
• Located and operating in Ontario
• 1–10 full-time employees
  • Up to 25 employees in the hospitality sector
• Not a franchise
• Actively operating (not an idea-stage startup)

Eligible grant expenses commonly include:

• Marketing and communications costs
• Business materials and supplies
• Digital tools or digital transformation costs
• Training and knowledge development activities

Funding is issued after or alongside required training milestones, not as a lump sum on day one.

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Is the RAISE Grant Ontario Open Right Now?

This is one of the most common questions.

As of March 6, 2026, the RAISE grant Ontario is not continuously open. Instead:

• Intakes are announced by the Province
• Applications open for limited windows
• Some cohorts are delivered through regional or sector-specific partners

To confirm current availability, Ontario directs businesses to its funding portal and official announcements rather than third-party intake pages.

If RAISE is closed when you apply, there are often other Ontario grants you can pursue at the same time, depending on your business type and location.

Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter programs by province and entrepreneur profile in seconds, so you’re not waiting on a single intake.

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Other Ontario Grants to Consider Alongside RAISE

Many RAISE applicants also qualify for other provincial programs, depending on their stage and sector. Common overlaps include:

• Digital Main Street – Digital Transformation Grant

  • Supports brick-and-mortar businesses adopting digital tools
  • Separate from RAISE and has its own eligibility rules

• Regional and sector-based Ontario grants listed through the province’s funding portal

For a broader view, see related guides like Funding Opportunities Ontario or Money from Ontario Government 2025.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Assuming RAISE is always open
   RAISE runs on timed intakes. Submitting outside an official window won’t work.

2. Applying without meeting ownership requirements
   The program is specifically for Indigenous, Black, and racialized entrepreneurs. Ownership structure matters.

3. Expecting funding without training participation
   The $10,000 grant is tied to completing required training or coaching milestones.

4. Confusing RAISE with Digital Main Street grants
   They are separate programs with different applications and rules, even though they sometimes overlap in audience.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much is the RAISE grant in Ontario?
The RAISE grant provides up to $10,000 per eligible business, along with training and coaching support.

Q: Is the RAISE grant repayable?
No. The RAISE grant funding itself is non-repayable, as long as you meet program requirements and complete the training components.

Q: Who can apply for the RAISE grant Ontario?
Eligible applicants are Indigenous, Black, or other racialized entrepreneurs operating an Ontario business with 1–10 employees (up to 25 in hospitality).

Q: Where do I apply for RAISE?
Applications are managed directly by the Province of Ontario during announced intake periods, not through Digital Main Street.

Q: What if the RAISE intake is closed?
You can still apply for other provincial or federal programs. GrantHub tracks 2,500+ active grant programs across Canada — check which ones match your business profile.

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Next Steps

The RAISE grant Ontario is one of the most targeted funding programs for racialized and Indigenous entrepreneurs, but timing is critical. If the intake isn’t open, the smartest move is to line up other Ontario grants while you wait.

GrantHub helps Ontario business owners see which programs are open right now, based on location, ownership, and industry—so you’re never relying on a single grant cycle.