Ontario grants come in two main types. Province-wide programs fund technology: plans, implementation, store systems, energy retrofits. City programs fund the building: facades, signage, fit-outs and accessibility work.
Every program below is a grant or rebate you do not repay. Loans and financing are listed on our loans and financing page. Nearly every grant here is a cost-share: the program pays part of the cost and you pay the rest. Most also need approval before you start, and many pay you back only after you pay the bill. Each program page explains the steps in order.
Eight of the largest at a glance
| Program | Worth up to | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Ottawa Centretown Heritage Facade Program | 75% of costs, max $75,000 | Ottawa (Centretown) |
| Technology Demonstration Program | 50%, up to $50,000 | Ontario-wide |
| London Vacant Space Fit-Out Grant | 50%, up to $50,000 | London |
| Chatham-Kent Facade Grant | up to $40,000 | Chatham-Kent |
| Windsor Main Streets Facade Program | up to $30,000 | Windsor |
| Richmond Hill Facade & Sign Grant | up to $25,000 facade | Richmond Hill |
| Brampton Facade Improvement Program | up to $20,000 ($50,000 heritage) | Brampton |
| Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan | 50%, up to $15,000 | Ontario-wide (B2B) |
Province-wide technology grants
1. Technology Demonstration Program (TDP): 50% back, up to $50,000
TDP is the biggest province-wide grant. It is for established business-to-business (B2B) product companies with at least $750,000 in revenue. TDP reimburses 50% of the cost of implementing a completed digital plan (platforms, software, integration work) with a minimum 1:1 match, paid on completion. You need a finished DMAP first. Open when we last checked in September 2026. Details and the official source are on the TDP page.
2. Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP): 50% back, up to $15,000
DMAP is the first step before TDP: 50% back, up to $15,000, on a technology plan built with an approved consultant. It is designed for business-to-business product companies rather than consumer retail. Once the plan is finished, TDP can help pay to put it in place. Details are on the DMAP page.
3. Retail Modernization Project Grant (RMPG): 50% back, up to $5,000
For retail stores: 50% back, up to $5,000, on store technology (POS systems, inventory tracking, kiosks, CRM) on a minimum $6,000 project, reimbursed after purchase. The cap is small, and the program was open when we last checked in September 2026. Details are on the RMPG page.
4. Retrofit Program: up to 50% of energy project costs
Ontario's electricity-saving retrofit program covers up to 50% of eligible project costs on energy-efficient equipment (lighting, refrigeration, HVAC measures), which can lower your electricity bill. Caps depend on the measures; the Retrofit Program page has the current rules and official source.
City storefront grants, ranked by what they are worth
When we checked in July 2026, sixteen city programs across fifteen Ontario cities could help pay for storefront work. These are address-specific: designated streets, downtown districts and community-improvement areas decide who qualifies, and most require approval before you spend any money. Ranked by the most each one pays:
5. Ottawa Centretown Heritage Facade Improvement Program: 75% up to $75,000
This is the largest storefront grant in the province. It is for heritage properties in Centretown and pays 75% of costs, up to $75,000. Applications are open until December 31, 2026. Details: Program page.
6. London Vacant Commercial Space Fit-Out Grant: 50% up to $50,000
London pays half the cost of fitting out a vacant commercial space, up to $50,000. Unlike most grants here, it helps you move into an empty space. Details: Program page.
7. Chatham-Kent Facade Improvement Grant: up to $40,000
Chatham-Kent pays 50% of eligible facade and signage work, up to $40,000. The amount is calculated per linear foot of frontage. Details: Program page.
8. Windsor Main Streets Facade Improvement Program: up to $30,000
Windsor helps pay for facade and signage work on its designated main streets. You pay first, and the city pays you back. Windsor runs one more storefront program below. Details: Program page.
9. Richmond Hill Facade, Landscaping and Signage Grant: up to $25,000
Three streams in one program: up to $25,000 for facades, $10,000 for landscaping, $2,500 for signage. Details: Program page.
10. Brampton Facade Improvement Program: up to $20,000, or up to $50,000 for heritage buildings
Brampton pays 50% of the cost of storefront and signage work, up to $20,000. The limit rises to $50,000 for heritage buildings. Details: Program page.
11. Windsor Downtown Facade Improvement Program: up to $20,000
Windsor pays back part of the cost of facade and signage work in the downtown district. Details: Program page.
12. Greater Sudbury Facade Improvement Program: up to $20,000
Greater Sudbury pays back 50% of the cost of facade and signage work. Details: Program page.
13. Brantford Downtown Facade & Safety Grant: up to $15,000
Brantford helps pay for facade and safety improvements downtown. Details: Program page.
14. Peterborough Central Area Facade Grant: 50% up to $15,000
Peterborough pays back part of the cost of facade work for each property in the central area. Signage and masonry work both qualify. Details: Program page.
15. Welland Downtown & Health Cluster Facade Grant: up to $12,500
Up to $12,500 for the front facade, with extra streams for side, rear and heritage work. Details: Program page.
16. Oshawa Facade & Accessibility Grant: up to $10,000 (2026 intake closed September 1)
Oshawa helps pay for facade and accessibility work. The 2026 deadline was September 1, 2026. Check the official page for the next intake. Details: Program page.
17. Waterloo Uptown Facade Grant: up to $10,000, apply by October 31, 2026
Waterloo helps pay for storefront renovations under its Uptown Community Improvement Plan (CIP). Apply by October 31, 2026. Details: Program page.
18. Hamilton Commercial District Revitalization Grant: up to $10,000 (higher for corner and BIA locations)
Hamilton pays 50% of the cost: up to $10,000, up to $12,500 on a corner, and up to $20,000 to $25,000 in a business improvement area (BIA). Details: Program page.
19. Kitchener Facade Grant Program: up to $10,000
Kitchener pays back part of the cost of facade and signage work. Details: Program page.
20. St. Catharines Facade Improvement Program: 50% up to $10,000 per facade
The $10,000 limit applies to each building facade. Details: Program page.
Is your city missing? We list storefront programs in more Ontario cities than fit in this top 20. See the full set on the storefront and retail modernization page, and every Ontario program on the Ontario funding page.
Before you apply
- Match the program to your project. Building work: your city's program. Technology: TDP, DMAP or RMPG. Power bills: the Retrofit Program.
- Check the address rules before anything else. City grants cover only certain streets, so read the program page before you apply.
- Never start work before approval unless the program page explicitly says you can. Most of these reimburse approved projects only.
- Combining grants has rules: a city facade grant plus a province-wide tech grant on the same premises is often possible when the projects differ; two grants on the same invoice usually is not. Each program page explains whether you can combine it with other funding.
Key takeaways
- 37 grant and rebate programs were open to Ontario small businesses when we checked in July 2026; the 20 above are the most broadly useful.
- The biggest province-wide grant is TDP: 50% back, up to $50,000, for B2B product companies with at least $750,000 in revenue, after a completed DMAP.
- The largest storefront grants come from cities. Ottawa's program pays 75% of costs, up to $75,000, the most of the sixteen city programs.
- Oshawa's 2026 deadline passed on September 1, 2026; Waterloo's deadline is October 31, 2026.
In short: in Ontario, the province helps pay for technology and your city helps pay for your storefront. Check both, because you may qualify for one of each.
BBN Labs checks which funding programs may fit your business for free, explains the rules and sends deadline alerts. You apply on the official program site. Each program administrator decides who qualifies and who is approved, based on its own rules and available funding.