Grant Guidebook for Small Businesses in Ontario
What can grants NOT be used for in Ontario?

Executive Summary

• Grant limitations in Ontario vary depending on the grant type and will always be listed in the Applicant Guide. 
• Make sure you’re aware of what you cannot get funding for before you apply for the grant to properly set expectations.
• Avoiding ineligible expenses in your applications and claims will give you a good reputation with the program and increase your likelihood of getting approved in the future.

Grant programs in Ontario have specific requirements that mandate what they can and cannot fund. It’s important to be aware of the program’s limitations so you don’t include any ineligible expenses in your application, or in your reports. These limitations vary across grants, however, they are fairly consistent across the grant categories; let’s take a look at what hiring, training, and market expansion grants cannot be used for.

What do Hiring grants not cover?

1. Vacation pay
2. Bonuses
3. Contractors (employees on payroll)

What do Training grants not cover? 

1. Tuition
2. Costs that are also covered by scholarships
3. Apprenticeships
4. Practicums
5. Coaching

What do Market Expansion grants not cover?

1. Operational expenses such as equipment, warehousing, and rent. 
2. Costs associated with writing or developing a business plan.
3. The staff time and wages required to manage and execute an expansion project. 
4. Costs associated with setting up an office in a new location. 
5. Expenses incurred prior to the project start date.

These lists are not all-encompassing. There will always be the odd program that will allow some of the above activities, however, the items listed above are the most common limitations of each grant type. If you’re looking for grant funding but aren’t sure how to work with these limitations, reach out to Granted! We’re here to help.