Deadline: January 9, 2026
Are you part of a Black-led organisation in Canada working to support Black entrepreneurs and strengthen the business ecosystem? The Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund 2026 offers an incredible opportunity to help expand your organisation’s impact. This non-repayable contribution funding supports not-for-profit organisations that provide mentorship, training, networking, and capacity-building services to Black entrepreneurs and business owners across Southern Ontario.
About the Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund 2026
The Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund 2026 is part of the Government of Canada’s broader Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP). This initiative aims to address systemic barriers faced by Black entrepreneurs by empowering the organisations that serve them.
Rather than directly funding individual businesses, the Ecosystem Fund focuses on strengthening the ecosystem surrounding Black entrepreneurship. It supports Black-led, not-for-profit organisations whose work centres on advancing business growth, innovation, and community economic development for Black entrepreneurs in Canada.
The Ecosystem Fund represents a long-term investment, with funding available through to 2030, ensuring sustained support for capacity building and community development.
Funding Information
- Funding Amount: Between $125,000 and $3 million per project (non-repayable contribution).
- Funding Duration: Multi-year projects extending up to 2030.
- Funding Purpose: To support organisations that deliver programmes and services designed to enhance the success of Black entrepreneurs and businesses, including training, mentorship, access to networks, outreach, and community-building initiatives.
Application Deadline
Deadline: 9 January 2026, by 4:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Applicants are encouraged to begin the application process early to allow ample time to prepare all supporting documentation.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for funding under the Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund 2026, your organisation must meet the following criteria:
Organisational Requirements
- Be a not-for-profit organisation incorporated in Canada and located in Southern Ontario.
- Have a primary mandate focused on business or community economic development.
- Be Black-led, meaning at least two-thirds of your leadership (board members, founders, directors, etc.) self-identify as Black.
- Ensure that at least two-thirds of advisory committees, volunteer boards, or equivalent bodies are composed of individuals who self-identify as Black.
- Demonstrate a clear commitment to supporting Black communities and businesses.
- Show a proven ability to deliver business support services (or a strong plan to do so) and effectively engage with the Black community.
Who Should Apply
The Ecosystem Fund is ideal for Black-led not-for-profit organisations that:
- Deliver or plan to deliver entrepreneurship and business support programmes;
- Offer mentorship, training, or capacity-building initiatives for Black entrepreneurs;
- Facilitate networking and collaboration opportunities; or
- Aim to strengthen the infrastructure that supports Black business growth and development across Southern Ontario.
This fund is not intended for individual entrepreneurs or for-profit enterprises — it specifically targets organisations that strengthen the ecosystem supporting Black entrepreneurship.
Key Considerations for Applicants
When preparing your application:
- Verify that your leadership structure meets the two-thirds Black representation requirement.
- Clearly define how your organisation’s mandate aligns with the objectives of the fund.
- Outline the impact your organisation has made (or plans to make) in supporting Black entrepreneurs.
- Provide evidence of capacity to deliver impactful services or programmes.
- Develop a strong measurement and evaluation plan showing how your project will contribute to the overall growth of Black entrepreneurship in your community.
Why Apply
By applying for the Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund 2026, your organisation can:
- Gain access to significant non-repayable funding to expand programmes and reach;
- Strengthen community and business networks for Black entrepreneurs;
- Enhance training, mentorship, and capacity-building initiatives; and
- Contribute to the long-term sustainability and inclusiveness of Canada’s economic ecosystem.
Application Links
📞 Contact us for proposal drafting, refining, and review — let’s help you prepare a competitive submission that aligns perfectly with the fund’s priorities.
