Small business funding in Manitoba
In downtown Brandon, the Facade and Storefront Improvement Program reimburses up to 50% of eligible signage and exterior work to a maximum of $20,000. Manitoba's Green Energy Equipment Tax Credit gives money back on geothermal, solar thermal and biomass heating. Community funders add more: the First Peoples Economic Growth Fund backs Manitoba First Nation businesses, Louis Riel Capital Corporation backs Red River Métis owners, and Women's Enterprise Manitoba lends to women-owned businesses. BBN Labs helps you find the programs that fit and sends deadline alerts. You apply on the official program site.
Local funding options
In downtown Brandon, the Facade and Storefront Improvement Program reimburses up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $20,000, for new signage, storefront work and accessibility improvements. Province-wide, the Green Energy Equipment Tax Credit gives money back at tax time on geothermal, solar thermal and biomass heating, including a refundable 10% on eligible solar thermal costs.
Some of Manitoba's largest small-business funding comes from community lenders. The First Peoples Economic Growth Fund backs Manitoba First Nation businesses with non-repayable contributions up to $99,999 and interest-free loans up to $300,000. Louis Riel Capital Corporation funds Red River Métis entrepreneurs with combined grants and loans. Women's Enterprise Manitoba lends to women-owned businesses from $5,000 to $150,000. This money can pay for equipment, working capital and business growth.
Smaller, targeted help is here too. Community Futures Manitoba gives entrepreneurs with disabilities up to $750 toward digital marketing plus free business coaching, and CDEM lends to francophone-owned businesses across the province. The amounts are modest, but they can still help a small business.
City rules we checked
- Brandon's Facade and Storefront Improvement Program reimburses up to 50% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $20,000, for exterior improvements like signage, windows, lighting and accessibility features on heritage-designated downtown buildings. source ↗
- Manitoba's Green Energy Equipment Tax Credit includes a refundable 10% credit on eligible solar thermal capital costs, plus credits for geothermal heat pump systems and biomass equipment used in a business. source ↗
- The First Peoples Economic Growth Fund's Business Contribution Fund offers Manitoba First Nation businesses non-repayable contributions up to 40% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $99,999 for an individual owner or $250,000 for a First Nation or group of First Nations. source ↗
Notes reflect official sources as checked on September 24, 2026; programs change, so confirm with the administrator.
Programs
Funding programs for Manitoba
Every program shows its official source, what kind of help it is, and when we last checked it.
Green Energy Equipment Tax Credit
This provincial tax credit helps Manitoba businesses and property owners offset the cost of installing eligible green energy systems.
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Manitoba: Paid Work Experience Tax Credits
Up to $5,000
A family of fully refundable provincial tax credits for employers in Manitoba who hire co-op students, co-op graduates, high school vocational…
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Student Work Placement Program
Up to $5,000
A federal wage subsidy for employers who hire post-secondary students through the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP).
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BDC: Business Purchase or Transfer Loan
A BDC loan to help you buy an existing Canadian business. It can fund buying a competitor or supplier, a management or employee buyout, taking over a…
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Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit
Up to $2,000
A federal non-refundable tax credit for employers who hire apprentices in Red Seal trades. It is worth 10% of eligible apprentice wages, up to $2,000…
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Community Futures Network of Canada
Community Futures has 267 non-profit offices across Canada. They provide small business loans, training and local support to entrepreneurs in rural…
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BDC: Purchase Order Financing
Up to 90% of costs
A short-term BDC loan that helps Canadian businesses pay suppliers and production costs so they can fill a confirmed customer order when cash flow is…
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BDC Financing: Certified Green Building Loan
Up to 100% of costs
A BDC loan to buy, build or renovate a business property that you plan to get green certified, for example LEED or Zero Carbon.
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Canada Small Business Financing Program
Up to $1,150,000
This program makes it easier to get a business loan by having the government share the lending risk with your bank or credit union.
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Funding by need
What funding can pay for in Manitoba
Funding for Storefronts and Facades
Grants and loans that may help pay for storefront and facade work.
Funding for Storefront Signage
Grants and loans that may help pay for new storefront signage.
Funding for Accessibility
Grants for ramps, doors and washrooms may help pay for accessibility improvements.
Funding for Energy Efficiency
Grants and loans may help pay for lighting, HVAC and refrigeration improvements.
Funding for E-commerce
Grants and loans to help you launch or improve your online store.
Funding for Websites
Grants and loans to help you build or improve your business website.
Frequently asked questions
What Manitoba funding can I use for a storefront or website?
If you're in downtown Brandon, the Facade and Storefront Improvement Program covers up to 50% of eligible signage and exterior work to a maximum of $20,000. The Green Energy Equipment Tax Credit gives money back on efficient heating equipment anywhere in the province. Beyond those, community funders like the First Peoples Economic Growth Fund, Louis Riel Capital Corporation and Women's Enterprise Manitoba back qualifying owners with grants and loans. Louis Riel Capital Corporation, for example, lists website, advertising and signage costs as eligible marketing costs. Run the funding fit check and we'll show which ones fit your business and city.
Many Manitoba programs are for specific owners. What if I don't qualify?
Several of Manitoba's main funders serve specific groups: the First Peoples Economic Growth Fund for Manitoba First Nation businesses, Louis Riel Capital Corporation for Red River Métis owners, Women's Enterprise Manitoba for women-owned businesses, and CDEM for francophone owners. If none fit you, the Green Energy Equipment Tax Credit is open to eligible businesses across Manitoba, and businesses in downtown Brandon can also look at the Brandon facade grant.
Also see: all verified funding in Manitoba, the full funding list and our guides.