3 easy grants to apply for in 2023

3 Easy Grants to Apply for in 2023 (Even if You're New to the Process)

Are you a small business owner, nonprofit leader, or community organizer in search of funding for your organization? Grants can be a valuable source of financial support, but the grant application process can be intimidating, especially for those who are new to it. 

Never fear! There are plenty of grants out there that are specifically designed for organizations just starting out in the grant application process. In this post, we’ll provide a list of 3 easy grants to apply for, even if you’re new to the process. These grants have straightforward application processes and more relaxed eligibility requirements, making them perfect for organizations just getting their feet wet in the grant world. 

Ready to get started? Let’s dive in and explore these 3 easy grants to apply for

Grant #1 – SWPP Funding

The Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) is a funding program in Canada that provides financial assistance to employers to create new work placements for post-secondary students. 

SWPP (we pronounce it “swipp”) is great because you can access students from many different disciplines to help in all parts of your business. (Ie. marketing, sales, product development, technical development) 

 The program is designed to help employers provide valuable work experience to students in their field of study, while also helping students gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the workforce.  

You can usually access between 50-70% of a student’s wages up to a maximum of $7000 per term. Can you imagine hiring an employee at 70% off? That’s pretty great! 

The funding can be used to support the costs of creating new work placements, such as wages, training, and equipment. Employers can apply for funding through the program, which is administered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). 

Hot tip – SWPP grants are easy to apply for (generally a short form) – though you will need to have your candidate lined up in advance to provide their student info as part of the application process.

Grant #2 - CDAP

The Canadian Digital Adoption Program (CDAP) is a government funding program in Canada that provides financial assistance to small and medium-sized businesses to help them adopt digital technologies and improve their online presence. The program is administered by the National Research Council.  

What kind of technologies can you implement with this grant? Anything that will help you do business online!  

Things like: 

  • improving your online presence 
  • website development  
  • e-commerce platform development  
  • digital marketing (even some parts of online advertising!) 

The purpose of the CDAP grant is to help businesses in Canada become more competitive and productive by adopting digital technologies and improving their online presence.  

To be eligible for the CDAP grant, businesses must be located in Canada and must have fewer than 500 employees. They must also demonstrate that they are able to contribute a minimum of 20% of the total project costs. 

Grant #3 – Starter Company Plus

The Starter Company Plus program is a business development program in Ontario, Canada that provides funding and support to aspiring Ontario-based entrepreneurs who are looking to start or grow a small business. The program is administered by the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade. 

Starter Company Plus provides financial and mentorship support to help aspiring entrepreneurs turn their business ideas into a reality. The program provides grants of up to $5,000 to eligible participants, as well as access to business training, mentorship, and networking opportunities.  

The great thing about SCP is that it’s quite flexible in what you can use the money for – that’s like a grant dream come true! You must also be able to contribute a minimum of 20% of the total project costs, which is low by grant standards. Take advantage if you’re in Ontario! 

To be eligible for the Starter Company Plus program, aspiring entrepreneurs must be 18 years of age or older, must be a resident of Ontario, and must be able to demonstrate that they have a viable business idea. You can apply for Starter Company Plus through your local small business association in Ontario.

Time to get some grants!

We hope this list of 3 easy grants has provided you with some useful information and inspiration for finding funding for your organization.  

Applying for grants can be intimidating, especially for those who are new to the process, but with a little bit of research and preparation, it is possible to find and secure the funding you need to achieve your goals. 

Remember to carefully review the eligibility requirements and application process for each grant, and to seek the assistance of a grant writing professional if necessary. With the right resources and support, you can increase your chances of success and secure the financial support your organization needs to thrive. 

Pocketed can make searching for grants like these (and thousands of others!) a total breeze. Have you tried our 2-week free trial yet? Sign up below.  

Good luck with your grant application journey! We’re rooting for you! 

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