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Desjardins GoodSpark Grants

$3 million in grants for small Canadian businesses

Discover this year's recipients!

150 grants

$20,000 in financial assistance

For the well-being of individuals and the community

About Desjardins GoodSpark Grants

For over 120 years, we've been supporting small Canadian businesses.

GoodSpark Grants are just one more way we support entrepreneurs. By funding their projects, we're promoting their business growth and development.

Congratulations to our 2024 grant recipients

Learn more about our recipients
Description Transcript
Desjardins is a big fan of small biz

1 min 00 s | Added on April 27, 2024

This year, we awarded another $3 million in Desjardins GoodSpark Grants to 150 entrepreneurs across Canada. Watch how we rallied communities to celebrate and cheer on some of their favourite small businesses. Desjardins is a big fan of small biz (1 min 00 s)

Added on April 27, 2024 | Desjardins Group

Note: The information in brackets describes the audio and visual content of the video that is not dialogue or narration.

[Background music]

Narrator: When it comes to small business Desjardins is a big fan.

[We see the first business owner, Oluchi, doing leg exercises with a patient.]

[On-screen text: Wellness by Oluchi]

[We see the second business owner, Tré, breakdancing with a young boy in her studio.]

[On-screen text: A New DAEI]

[We see the final business owners, Ali and Mina, standing behind the bar in their restaurant.]

[On-screen text: Bar Bacan]

 

Narrator: So to celebrate another 150 entrepreneurs across Canada who each received a $20,000 GoodSpark Grant, we rallied their biggest fans, to cheer them on. Introducing, the Fan Stand by Desjardins.

[We see workers setting up the Desjardins Fan Stands with objects such as wigs, jerseys and caps with the business's name printed on them. There's a specific colour theme for each business. The fans are laughing and enjoying themselves as they get dressed up and prepare to go surprise the grant recipients.]

Woman: Ya!

Wellness by Oluchi fan 1: Oluchi was pivotal in my recovery.

Bar Bacan fan: The food’s so good, the music's so good.

Wellness by Oluchi fan 2: I think she’s going to be surprised, I think she’s going to be like super shocked.

A New DAEI fan: I think she’s gonna be like (gasps).

[The fans cheer as they surprise the business owners.]

Tré: Oh, what the heck!

Crowd: Go Bacan Go!

Bar Bacan fan: Desjardins is also a big fan of what you do…

A New DAEI fan: And they want to give this to you to say thank you.

[The fans hand the business owners customized varsity jackets from Desjardins.]

Business owner: I am overwhelmed, I am grateful.

Tré: I love you guys so much.

[The grant recipients are holding a Desjardins sign as they stand together with their fans.]

Narrator: See how we’re cheering on small business at GoodSparkGrants.ca.

[On-screen text: GoodSparkGrants.ca]

[On-screen logo: Desjardins logo]

[Background music: Desjardins jingle]

End of transcript

Discover the successful applicants

Pick a category to see the recipients of the 2024 Desjardins GoodSpark Grants.

Agriculture/Agri-food

Business

  • Myzel Organics
  • Black Fox Farm and Distillery
  • Over the Hill Orchards
  • Blueberry Commons Farm Cooperative
  • Sundance Harvest
  • Lady Day Farm Inc.
  • Infinite Harvest Technologies
  • Interius Farms
  • Backed By Bees
  • Noki Farms Ltd.
  • Restless Ravens Homestead
  • 2M Trading Company Inc.
  • Chandler Apiaries Ltd.
  • Yellow House Farm Inc.
  • Origin Native Plants
  • Seed to Culture
  • Happy Hive Honey
Arts and culture/Sports

Business

  • Peak Dance Company
  • Ferro Studios
  • A NEW D.A.E.I. Inc.
  • Miss Jennie's Performing Arts Studio Inc.
  • Blueheel Dance Studio
  • Alfie Studio
  • Rockit Vocal Studios
  • Cartwheel Academy
  • The First Step Actors Workshop
  • Loudstakk
  • The Clay Collective
  • Shaolin Kung Fu School Ltd
Beauty and cosmetics

Business

  • AllyG Studios
  • ScarInk Inc.
  • Cardea AuSet
  • AMA Skin & Spa
  • Lunah Life
  • Coco Nyle Skin Inc.
Education

Business

  • Sesgweg Software Solutions
  • Openly Incorporated
  • Greater Toronto Music School
  • We Rise Experience Inc.
  • Earthside Acres
  • Ai Land Games
  • C3DAR Lab
  • BizSkills Academy
  • Pinney Learning Centre Inc.
  • Business Battleground Inc.
  • Creative Hewman Inc.
  • The World of Kidtropolis
Food and beverages

Business

  • King Street Pizza
  • Sugar Ridge Inc.
  • Friendly Food Co
  • Gibraltar Dining Corporation
  • Green Goddess Fromagerie Inc.
  • Better Bovine
  • Daily Blends
  • Boulangers Midland City Bakers Inc.
  • NanaShake
  • Bruized
  • Monarch Tea Co.
  • Mindful Market & Eco Hub
  • Bertie's Café
  • Be One to Give Inc.
  • Heritage Confections
  • The Depanneur
  • KULA Foods
  • Mrktbox Inc.
  • Susgrainable Health Foods Inc.
  • Choose Life Foods Inc.
  • Bar Bacan
  • Twisted Lemon Restaurant & Boutique Inn
  • Tropix
Health

Business

  • Esinam Counselling Inc.
  • Wellness on Wheels
  • Kinetic Orthotics, Inc.
  • TAMCARE Home Health Ltd.
  • Reysh Rituals Inc.
  • Take A Breath Productions Inc.
  • Reactivate Muskoka
  • Balance First Workshops
  • West Toronto Strength and Conditioning
  • CIFEO inc. / IFCEO inc.
  • AcuNiagara
  • Mahara Lifestyle Incorporated
  • Wellness by Oluchi
  • The Glen Fitness Studio
  • White Teeth Mobile Hygiene
  • BeUnison Enterprises Incorporated
Retail

Business

  • FRANC
  • Upcycle Clothing Collective
  • London Bicycle Cafe
  • DOUBL Manufacturing Ltd.
  • M-prove International Inc.
  • The Art of Interiors
  • Willow
  • Unparalleled Clothing Company Inc.
  • Jumping Jacks Children's Boutique
  • NaturaPure Inc.
  • Rocky Mountain Books Ltd.
  • Hemlock & Oak Stationery Inc.
  • The Den Refillery
  • Easy Daysies Ltd.
  • The Good Tee
  • Balloonery Inc.
  • Jade Refillery
  • HABITAT28 LTD.
  • eSupply Canada
Services

Business

  • Mission Possible Maintenance
  • Moses Filter Drain Team Inc.
  • Daigle Direct Inc.
  • Ecosparkle Cleaning Service
  • Irvine Phone Repair
  • Saw Valley Carving Incorporated
  • VELD Architect
  • Serenity Respite Inc.
  • Shaw Trades
  • Marine Scientific Limited dba Collaskins
  • FKB Media Solutions
  • Playne Electric
  • Lovelight Home Design
  • R.W. International Inc.
  • Convvy cares
  • 6ix Side Detailing
  • 705 Build Group Inc.
  • Passingon Funeral Services Inc.
  • Guiding Light Autism Services Inc.
  • Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue & Ranch Inc.
  • Brainstorm
  • Neema Career Consulting
  • Waugh River Stables
  • Linda Fitzpatrick Equine Services
  • Ravens Vision
  • Recircle Waste Management Solutions Inc.
  • Chatterbox Communication Services
  • Carib.Farm Inc.
  • Rocky Springs Water & Ice
  • BlackTECH Entrepreneurship and Career Hub Inc.
  • Illuminated Escapes Inc.
Technology

Business

  • Ocean Diagnostics
  • Vibratus Inc.
  • Elaya Inc.
  • Goldminds
  • CarbonSuite Inc.
  • SilicoLabs Incorporated
  • BRIGHTER FUTURE HOMES LTD
  • Value Connect Inc.
  • Takachar
  • Motify Apps
  • 1 2 Energy Limited
  • Haus & Haus
  • Fibra Inc.
  • Flutter Care Inc.

Who is eligible for a grant?

Small businesses that:

  • Are Canadian-owned and operated
  • Do business and have their headquarters in at least 1 of the following provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan
  • Have a minimum of 1 employee and a maximum of 50 employees
  • Have been registered for at least 1 year (before November 1, 2022)
  • Have a project that tackles at least 1 of the following areas: sustainable development, health and well-being, innovation and community impact

Read the program rules (PDF, 180 KB)

Investing in projects that matter

Sustainable development

A project aimed at achieving 1 or more sustainable development objectives, such as protecting biodiversity and ecosystems, promoting responsible production and consumption or ensuring access to affordable and clean water and energy.

Health and well-being

A project that invests in health and overall personal well-being.

Innovation

New initiatives to help modernize the business.

Community impact

A project that positively influences the vitality of the community through the mobilization and involvement of the company in the community. This initiative aims to make the community more inclusive, safe, resilient or sustainable.

FAQ

How are GoodSpark Grants recipients selected?

Our internal selection committee reviews all applications and selects the 150 recipients based on selection criteria, which include, but are not limited to:

  • The extent to which the small business meets all eligibility requirements
  • How the grant will impact the small business
  • The applicant's written explanation as to why they should receive a grant and how it will be used
 How do I know if my project meets the eligibility criteria before I apply?

We encourage all applicants to read the program rules (PDF, 180 KB) and fill out the application form to the best of their ability. We cannot provide any feedback due to the large volume of applications.

 How do I know if my small business is eligible for a GoodSpark Grant?

Eligibility requirements are listed in the program rules (PDF, 180 KB).

 What type of projects are eligible?

To be eligible for a GoodSpark Grant, your small business project must fit in at least 1 of the following categories: innovation, health and well-being, community impact or sustainable development. For the definitions of these categories, read the program rules (PDF, 180 KB).

 Can I make changes to my application after it's been submitted?

No, you can't make any changes to your application once it's been submitted.

 Can I submit more than 1 application?

Only 1 application per small business is allowed, and you cannot apply for more than 1 small business grant.

 When will the recipients be announced and when will the grant funds be paid out?

The 2023–2024 recipients were informed in March 2024.

 How do I receive the grant funds?

In most cases, we, or one of our local representatives, will deliver the grant cheques directly to the recipients.

 Can grant cheques be made payable to an individual?

No, cheques must be made payable to the business name as written in the application.

 Can I find out why my project wasn't selected?

No, we are unable to provide this information due to the large volume of applications.

 Will you contact me after I've received my grant?

We may contact you to gather stories or testimonials on the progress of your project and on how the grant has helped your small business.

 Can GoodSpark Grant recipients get funding from other sources?

Yes, GoodSpark Grant recipients are eligible for government funding, loans or other sources of capital, such as fundraising. If in doubt, ask your accountant.