Grants for Business Owners
Spruce the Bruce Grants
Applications are now open.
Spruce the Bruce builds vibrant communities through the support of local businesses and municipalities. The program brings stakeholders together to create a vision for future growth and development and provides tools and grants to achieve that vision.
Improve your building façade or install a patio
Improve your building façades and patios that will create an attractive, safe, vibrant downtown and adapt to COVID-19 precautions.
Install a perpendicular sign or awning
Make your business stands out to passing pedestrians and vehicles while showcasing your brand and product offerings.
Collaborate with other local businesses
Work will other downtown business owners to create and promote experiences and itineraries in your community.
Digital Main Street Grants
Register Today
Bruce County businesses and artists can now access the ShopHERE Powered by Google program. ShopHERE provides independent small businesses and artists with a quick, easy, and no-cost* way to get selling online right away. *The ShopHERE program is free for participants to sign up and have a Shopify store built. Businesses will be responsible for the monthly Shopify fee after the initial 90-day trial.
Summer Company Program and Grant
Applications are Open for the Summer 2021 Program
In partnership with the Province of Ontario, Business to Bruce is pleased to help students enter the world of entrepreneurship! Available for youth between the ages of 15 and 29 who are returning to school in the fall, the Summer Company grant offers free training and mentorship, with an opportunity to earn a grant for their summer business.
The Business Pivot / Adaptation Grant
Applications will open again in early 2021. Stay tuned!
Bruce County is supporting entrepreneurs through business enhancement, expansion or adaptation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bruce County businesses can access a grant of up to $5,000 to expand, enhance, or adapt their existing business through the Starter Company Plus initiative.
Starter Company Plus Initiative and Grant
Applications will open again in early 2021. Stay tuned!
Access resources and guidance to launch you into entrepreneurial success. Bruce County offers hands-on training, mentorship, and a $5,000 grant to help get you started through the Starter Company Plus Initiative. Training and mentorship components and tie commitments are tailored to your needs.
Ontario Tourism Innovation Lab: Spark Program (Mentorship and Grants)
The 2020 Spark Program announced winners in December 2020. Stay tuned for more information about this program in 2021.
The "Spark" Program will match selected candidates with a tourism innovation mentor and provide a source of financial support to help take their great new tourism idea to the next level of development or implementation.
Grants for Stakeholder Groups and Municipalities
Community Development
These grants support may be directed towards signage that improves visitor experiences in and around the downtown, including gateway signs, interpretive / historical plaques, kiosks, and route markers (i.e. for cycling or hiking).
These grants can be used towards street improvements such as, but not limited to, banners, benches, garbage/recycling cans, bike racks, flower containers, green space/park enhancements, seasonal decorations and/or public art, provided that the items are installed within the designated downtown area and inline with the adopted community brand.
These grants support capital improvements to core visitor attractions that improve visitor experience. Although downtown locations are preferred, this grant may include locations outside of the downtown. Design services are available in advance of grant applications to help applicants turn their ideas into great proposals.
Marketing & Promotions
The Collaborative Marketing Grant encourages downtown businesses to partner together in promotional activities, for example, to provide a package offering. This grant also supports non-gated public attractions (i.e. Bruce Trail, Saugeen River) and supports improvements to marketing materials for advertising, mapping, and promotion of these attractions.
Not-for-Profit Community Grants
Not-for-profit grants are available for not-for-profit corporations, non-profit organizations or groups, a registered charity, volunteer groups, and/or an affiliate of Bruce County or lower tier such as a community club are eligible to be considered for grant assistance. For more information click here. Please note that there are two application forms. The “Short Form” is for requests up to $5,000. The “Long Form” is for requests over $5,000.
Bruce County recognizes the role philanthropy plays in strengthening our community and that the benefits of such acts ultimately improves the quality of life for all residents. To support this recognition, the County has a Community Grant program that provides a mechanism for groups or organizations to make financial requests to County Council. For eligibility and details, please review the policy below.
Bruce County recognizes the role philanthropy plays in strengthening our community and that the benefits of such acts ultimately improves the quality of life for all residents. To support this recognition, the County has a Community Grant program that provides a mechanism for groups or organizations to make financial requests to County Council. For eligibility and details, please review the policy below.