If you are looking for funding opportunities for your Saskatchewan businesses, consider applying to government grants or third-party programs to gain the money you need to operate or expand your company. Whether an entrepreneur or small business owner, you can use this Saskatchewan grants guide to help you find small business grants within the province, including Saskatchewan government grants and third-party Saskatchewan business grants.

Operate your business in another province? Learn more about other provincial grants guides.

• Agricultural grants
• Business and Economic Growth grants
• Minority and Indigenous-Run Business grants
• Workforce Hiring and Training grants

Small Business Owners Applying for Saskatchewan Grants

When small business owners and entrepreneurs apply to Saskatchewan business grants, applicants must provide specific information and evidence to illustrate how their business or proposed project fits the program’s funding criteria. Therefore, businesses should always collect the following information to ensure they have everything covered:

• Saskatchewan business licenses and registrations illustrating the company can legally operate within the region
• The business’ financial reports illustrate revenue generation in the last year and the overall financial health of the business
• The business’ employee list and number of workers employed full-time and part-time
• The business plan, business strategy, or project plan, including the project’s mission statement, scope, budget, timeline, and team.

What Small Businesses Are Eligible for Grants in Saskatchewan?

Typically, eligible applicants of Saskatchewan government grants and funding agency programs are small to medium-sized businesses that are for-profit and sometimes non-profit organizations. The location of the business can also be a huge factor in funding opportunities, as some programs are aimed at urban communities and others for Saskatchewan’s rural community.

In many cases, government grants specify the applicant must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. In addition, companies and entrepreneurs must operate within Saskatchewan for at least 12 months before applying for provincial funding.

Eligibility criteria will differ between grants and support services, so you will want to ensure you checkmark all of the eligibility boxes before starting the application. Find out more about particular finance opportunities below.

Agricultural Grants

Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP)

What is it?

The Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) is a provincial government finance program aimed at supporting the agricultural industry within the province. This five-year initiative is offering $388 million from federal and provincial funds to help develop the various sectors, such as science, research, and innovation, environmental sustainability, agri-food processing, markets, and trade, and risk management.

How much is awarded?

The $388 million of funding is split between all agricultural industry sectors within Saskatchewan. For example, the Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) provides $15 million annually for projects that fall within this sector. Overall, the amount of financial support awarded to small businesses is dependent on the amount available within that sector and the parameters of the proposed project or business.

Who can apply?

The Saskatchewan government encourages individuals, businesses, and organizations with an idea that brings practical value to the agriculture and food industry to apply to this program.

How to apply?

Find the applicable program and agriculture department through the CAP homepage to begin the application process.

Business and Economic Growth Grants

Jobs and Growth Fund in Western Canada

What is it?

The Jobs and Growth Fund in Western Canada is a federal government program that provides support for economic growth and job creation. Financing comes in the form of loans with interest rates of zero, or a non-repayable contribution, depending on the business type.

This funding agency will cover the cost of approved activities, including those that support the transition to a green economy, foster an inclusive recovery, preserve the nation’s competitiveness in the digital landscape, and strengthen critical economic sectors to Canada’s growth and recovery.

How much is awarded?

Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is investing $217 million into approved projects under this program. Businesses can receive an interest-free repayable contribution of up to 50% of eligible costs, while nonprofits can receive a non-repayable construction of up to 90% of costs. In addition, Indigenous applicants can receive a contribution of up to 100% of eligible project costs for projects including Indigenous clients.

Who can apply?

Businesses, co-operatives, and nonprofits are all eligible to apply. Indigenous-led entities and businesses are also strongly encouraged to apply.

How to apply?

When it comes to Saskatchewan government grants like this one, you can start the process through the Western Economic Diversification Canada application portal.

Northern Capital Grants Program

What is it?

The Northern Capital Grants Program offers financial services to northern municipalities and settlements in their aims to build or purchase municipal infrastructure and capital assets.

How much is awarded?

The government will offer grants funding in the form of a maximum money contribution of up to 80% of eligible purchasing costs, while the local municipality must cover a minimum of 20% of the total project costs.

Who can apply?

This program is for northern municipalities located within Saskatchewan.

How to apply?

Complete the application for grant approval form and the project detailed analysis form before contacting the Northern Municipal department for more information.

Grants to Assist with Family Child Care Home Licensing

What is it?

The Grants to Assist with Family Child Care Home Licensing provides two forms of funding programs for individuals and businesses looking to start a child care facility in their home. New start ups can take advantage of either:

• The Fire, Health and Safety Grant: This program provides a one-time financial contribution to help Family Child Care Homes meet all fire, health, and safety requirements necessary for this type of business to operate. This includes fire inspections and equipment or renovations needed to meet the requirements.
• Start-Up Grant: This program provides a one-time contribution to help with the costs associated with developing child care spaces.

How much is awarded?

Under the Fire, Health, and Safety Grant, individuals can receive financial assistance of a maximum contribution of $1,200. The Start-Up Grant is divided into three streams of funding.

• New Family Child Care Homes are eligible for $3,325, or $3,825 for businesses within the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District. New Group Family Child Care Homes can receive a maximum of $3,525, or $4,025 for companies within the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District. Finally, existing Family Child Care Homes converting to Group Family Child Care Homes can receive up to $400.

Who can apply?

Only those who have an established facility or are looking to start a new Family Child Care Home or Group Family Child Care Home operations within Saskatchewan are eligible for these financial resources.

How to apply?

Applicants can obtain application forms for both grants by reaching out to the department’s Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Consultant.

Business Capacity Grant for the Creative Sector

What is it?

The Business Capacity Grant for the Creative Sector is a program put on by Creative Saskatchewan to encourage the growth of the creative industry within the region. This includes projects that focus on business development, creative skill development, improved efficiencies, or expanding the industry’s workforce.

How much is awarded?

Approved projects can receive funding to cover up to 50% of approved costs with a maximum contribution of $25,000 within a fiscal year or $50,000 within 24 months.

Who can apply?

Entrepreneurs and small businesses within all creative sectors supported by Creative Saskatchewan are eligible to apply for these financial resources, including the following:

• Book publishing
• Craft and visual arts
• Film and TV
• Interactive digital outlets
• Live performing arts
• Music

How to apply?

Find out more information and start the application process online using Creative Saskatchewan’s grant management system.

Market and Export Development Grant

What is it?

The Market and Export Development Grant is another program managed by Creative Saskatchewan that focuses on large-scale marketing opportunities for businesses within the creative sector. Creative Saskatchewan also promotes a micro-grant within this same funding stream, meant for financing small-scale marketing projects.

How much is awarded?

An approved business in Saskatchewan can receive financial assistance meant to cover up to 50% of approved costs with a maximum contribution of $25,000 within a year or $50,000 within a 24-month period. There's also an available micro-grant of $5,000, which would be included in the total funding amount of the awarded $25,000 or $50,000.

Who can apply?

Businesses within the creative sector can apply for these financial resources. These sectors include book publishing, craft and visual arts, film and TV, interactive digital outlets, live performing arts, and music.

How to apply?

Apply online using Creative Saskatchewan’s grant management system. All applications are assessed by a jury of industry professionals chosen by Creative Saskatchewan.

Minority and Indigenous-Run Business Grants

Gaming Trusts and Grants

What is it?

The Gaming Trusts and Grants is a program that distributes casino gaming profits to the First Nations Trust, the Métis Development Fund, and the Community Development Corporations (CDCs). It's Saskatchewan’s legal obligation to distribute these funds under the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation Act and the 2002 Gaming Framework Agreement, signed between the Province and the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN).

Initiatives considered for financing include those that involve economic development, social development, educational development, justice initiatives, senior and youth programs, cultural development, community infrastructure development, and health initiatives.

How much is awarded?

These Community Development Corporations receive 25% of the on-reserve casino’s net profits, as operated by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA).

Who can apply?

Individuals and start ups can apply for financing through the CDC if your organization or business is located within the community that is near a Saskatchewan casino. Both First Nations and non-First Nations groups can apply.

How to apply?

To learn more about this program’s eligibility criteria and to apply for funding, contact the nearest CDC.

Métis Entrepreneur Equity Program

What is it?

The Métis Entrepreneur Equity Program offers Métis entrepreneurs funding through a non-repayable contribution to aid them with their business development. Indigenous women entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply.

How much is awarded?

Approved Métis individuals can receive a sum of up to 40% of eligible project costs to a maximum contribution of $99,999. Métis community-owned businesses can receive up to 40% of project costs to a maximum of $250,000.

It's important to note that should the business be sold or closed within three years of receiving funding, the contribution will immediately turn into a repayable loan.

Who can apply?

Successful applicants must be of Métis Ancestry and operate a business within Saskatchewan. If a business is run as a partnership, at least 51% of the company must be owned by a Métis individual.

Applicants must be able to contribute a minimum of 10% equity to the proposed project.

How to apply?

Fill in the information form on the grants program page to start the consultation.

Workforce Hiring and Training Grants

Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant

What is it?

The Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant is a government-run, employee-driven program that supports businesses and nonprofits to train new or existing employees. The program also aims to provide more services and opportunities for unemployed and underemployed workers to receive job opportunities and skills development.

How much is awarded?

Employers applying for funding through this Saskatchewan small business grants program can receive a maximum of $100,000 per fiscal year, with up to $10,000 per trainee. These businesses must contribute one-third of the training cost, while the federal and provincial governments will cover the remaining two-thirds.

Who can apply?

Eligible employers include private and nonprofit sector employers. Ineligible parties include publicly funded entities such as health regions, post-secondary institutions, public libraries, municipalities, school divisions, and self-employed individuals.

Eligible trainees must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Temporary foreign workers are not eligible for this program.

How to apply?

Applicants must fill in the Employer Application Form and the Training Provider Quote before sending off the completed copies to your nearest Canada-Saskatchewan Job Grant (CSJG) office.

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