Yukon Business Grants: What’s Available and How to Apply
Looking to grow your business in the Yukon with non-repayable funding? This article outlines the business grants available across the Yukon, who provides them, what they can be used for, and how to qualify.
Whether you’re launching a small business, supporting a traditional industry, or developing innovative products or services, this guide will help you find the right funding to support your goals.
✅ What is a Business Grant?
A business grant is non-repayable financial assistance provided by government agencies or non-profit organizations to support business development. Unlike loans, grants don’t need to be paid back — but they usually require applicants to meet specific eligibility criteria and demonstrate how the funding will be used. In the Yukon, business grants often aim to strengthen regional economies, support Indigenous entrepreneurship, and promote sustainable development across key sectors.
✅ Types of Business Grants in the Yukon
Grants in the Yukon are designed to support a wide range of business needs, often grouped by their focus area or target audience. Common types include:
◾ Activity Grants
These grants support projects such as business expansion, hiring and training, product development, technology upgrades, or market development.
◾ Audience Grants
Targeted programs are available for Indigenous entrepreneurs, women, youth, and rural business owners, helping ensure more inclusive access to funding.
◾ Industry Grants
The Yukon supports priority sectors such as tourism, renewable energy, film and media, agriculture, and resource development. Grants are often aimed at boosting innovation, sustainability, and community benefit within these industries.
◾ Regional Grants
Some programs are region-specific, supporting business growth in remote or rural Yukon communities. These are often delivered in partnership with First Nations governments or local economic development offices.
✅ What Can a Business Grant be Used for in the Yukon?
Depending on the program, business grants in the Yukon can be used for:
- Hiring and training employees
- Purchasing equipment or upgrading facilities
- Market research, branding, and advertising
- Product or service development
- Supporting tourism-related infrastructure or experiences
- Transitioning to clean or renewable energy solutions
Some grants cover 100% of project costs, while others require cost-sharing by the applicant.
✅ How to Qualify for a Business Grant in the Yukon
To be eligible for a business grant in the Yukon, your business generally needs to:
- Be registered and operating in the Yukon Territory
- Meet the grant’s criteria related to sector, size, ownership, or location
- Propose a project that aligns with the program’s goals, such as economic diversification, innovation, or community development
- Submit a full application, which may include a business plan, financial projections, and a detailed project description
Many programs place a strong emphasis on local benefit and Indigenous or community engagement.
✅ Alternatives to Business Grants in the Yukon
If you don’t qualify for a grant — or if you’re looking for other ways to finance your business — the Yukon offers several additional options:
◾ Subsidies
Wage and training subsidies are available to help reduce employment costs, especially for hiring youth, students, or individuals from underrepresented groups.
◾ Government Loans
Flexible loan options are available through the Yukon Business Development Program, Canada Small Business Financing Program, and local Community Futures organizations.
◾ Tax Credits
Yukon businesses can access federal tax credits such as SR&ED for R&D work. The territory also offers tax incentives for film production and investment in certain sectors.
◾ Equity Investment Programs
Startups and innovation-driven businesses may qualify for equity investment through territorial development funds, angel investors, or national innovation programs with northern outreach.
✅ Yukon Business Grants: Current Grants Available
$250,000
Grant
Description:
The Yukon Mineral Exploration Program (YMEP) provides part of the risk capital to:
a) locate;
b) explore; and
c) develop mineral projects to an advanced exploration stage.
$10,000
Grant
Description:
The Yukon Historic Resources Fund (YHRF) supports projects that promote the study and interpretation of Yukon’s historic resources. Projects should promote appreciation, preservation and development of Yukon’s heritage.
$20,000
Grant
Description:
The Historic Properties Assistance Program (HPA) provides technical and financial support for privately-owned historic properties in Yukon.
No fixed amount
Grant
Description:
The Funding of Child Care Spaces to Licensed Providers program is provided to licensed operators to directly reduce the amount paid by parents/caregivers to operators for early learning and child care services.
The operator must agree to apply this funding directly to reduce the monthly payment made by parents/caregivers, and further agrees that each parent/caregiver is only required to pay the difference between this funding and the operator’s fee.
No fixed amount
Grant
Description:
The Child Care Operational Funding is designed to support licensed operators in reducing their operational expenses and to support the provision of high-quality early learning programming.
The Wage Enhancement Funding provides funding to operators in the form of a wage supplement for Early Childhood Educators employed by operators. The wage supplement will be paid based on the actual hours worked by each Early Childhood Educator to a maximum of 40 hours per week, and will include an additional 12% payment for mandatory employment related costs (e.g., CPP, EI and WCB). Operators must agree that the wages paid to each early childhood educator, before the addition of the wage enhancement, must be no less than the minimum wage under the Employment Standards Act.
No fixed amount
Grant
Description:
Child Care Operational Funding is designed to support licensed operators in reducing their operational expenses and to support the provision of high-quality early learning programming.
Quality Program Enhancement Funding provides funding to operators to promote high-quality early learning environments, based on the number of children attending an operator’s program.
$500,000
Grant
Description:
The Yukon Disaster Financial Assistance Program for Small Businesses helps business owners recover from a natural disaster. If the event causes significant damage to your small business, you can apply for funding to repair it.
No fixed amount
Grant
Description:
The Beneficial Management Practices assists farmers in mitigating some of the risks identified in the farm-specific Environmental Farm Plans (EFPs).
No funding involved
Grant
Description:
The Training program provides funding for:
a) attending agricultural courses, seminars, workshops and conferences;
b) participating in mentorship opportunities;
c) hosting agricultural courses, seminars, workshops and conferences.
$22,500
Grant
Description:
The Internship program is designed for hiring an intern and providing an opportunity for skill development in the agriculture and agri-food sector.
$20,000
Grant
Description:
The Business Planning program provides funding for hiring consultant services and purchasing business software.
$15,000
Grant
Description:
The Tourism Cooperative Marketing Fund (TCMF) helps the Yukon’s tourism industry attract visitors and gain international exposure. These marketing activities help strengthen the territory’s tourism brand.
$10,000
Grant
Description:
The Touring Artist Fund (TAF) is for professional Yukon artists and performers. Every year we have $100,000 for touring outside of the Yukon. This fund is open to all artistic practices.
$20,000
Grant
Description:
The Agriculture and Value-Added Development provides funding to producers for the purchase of farm equipment or machinery.
$37,500
Grant
Description:
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) funds the Yukon’s agriculture and agri-food sector. This is a 5-year cost-shared program funded by the governments of Canada and Yukon.
$800
Grant
Description:
The Special Beneficial Management Practice: Developing Fields and Land Utilization provides funds to agricultural producers for clearing field areas by removing trees, shrubs, rocks and roots, removing woody debris by chipping, mulching or salvaging woody material, and preparing the land for seeding by breaking and cultivating the soil.
$5,000
Grant
Description:
The Spark Tourism Micro-grant program supports new and emerging entrepreneurs who offer visitor experiences and services in the Yukon. The program helps turn your idea into reality and acts as a catalyst to spark larger future projects.
No fixed amount
Grant
Description:
The Protection from Wildlife Category is designed to provide farmers funding to protect their crops and livestock from wildlife. This includes funding for fencing, for crop protection measures and guardian dogs.
$15,000
Grant
Description:
The Predevelopment Fund helps Yukon producers develop their ideas for a:
• professional film;
• television program; and
• digital media project.
$30,000
Grant
Description:
The Performing Musicians Fund supports activities that help Yukon musicians build sustainable careers in the music industry.
$500,000
Grant
Description:
The Yukon Development Corporation is helping to increase the supply of renewable energy and reduce diesel consumption in the Yukon.
The Innovative Renewable Energy Initiative provides funding for community-led renewable energy projects.
$1,000,000
Grant
Description:
The Housing Initiatives Fund provides funding for affordable rental housing projects across the Yukon.
There are 2 streams:
a) shovel-ready projects in the Yukon; and
b) project concepts.
Eligible projects must include a minimum of 4 affordable units in Whitehorse and 1 unit in communities.
You can combine the Housing Initiative Fund with other government funding programs.
$5,000
Grant
Description:
The Express Micro-grant funding program is for those in the creative and cultural industries who are looking for small amounts of funding to help them achieve a goal.
$1,000.00
Grant
Description:
The purpose of the City of Whitehorse Environmental Grant Policy is to guide the allocation and management of environmental fund grants within the City of Whitehorse. These grants support outcomes identified in the Whitehorse Sustainability Plan.
$25,000.00
Grant
Description:
The purpose of the City of Whitehorse Environmental Grant Policy is to guide the allocation and management of environmental fund grants within the City of Whitehorse. These grants support outcomes identified in the Whitehorse Sustainability Plan.
$10,000
Grant
Description:
Start-up funding is available through the Enhancement Fund for:
a) child care centres; and
b) family day homes.
$15,000
Grant
Description:
You can apply to the radon mitigation fund for help with the costs of radon mitigation for your:
a) child care centre; or
b) family day home.
$5,000
Grant
Description:
You can apply for enhancement funding for support for your:
a) child care centre; or
b) family day home.
You cannot apply for this funding if you’ve received start-up funding during the same fiscal year.
Enhancement Funding program provides funding to Child Care Operators for their child care centres or family day homes. Funding can be used for regulatory requirements related to health and safety, and playground development and maintenance.
No fixed amount
Grant
Description:
Licensed child care centres can apply for emergency funding based on individual circumstances.
Contact us to talk about your project.
Family day homes cannot apply for emergency funding.
$500,000
Grant
Description:
The Economic Development Fund supports projects and initiatives that provide long-term, sustainable economic benefits to Yukoners and Yukon communities.
This fund replaces the Regional Economic Development Fund, Strategic Industries Development Fund and Enterprise Trade Fund.
$40,000
Grant
Description:
The Development Fund provides funding for a:
professional film;
television program; and
digital media project.
You must:
have a distribution commitment from a broadcaster, distributor or online platform; and
demonstrate market demand for the project in the form of a licence agreement or a letter of interest.
$10,000
Grant
Description:
The Culture Quest supports performing, visual and literary artists from the Yukon to a maximum of $10,000 per applicant per fiscal year (April 1 through March 31).
The fund supports:
• First Nations, Métis and Inuit expression of art in relation to cultural practices;
• continued growth and development of creation, performance or presenting capacity in the cultural sector;
• opportunities for artists to create projects that explore and develop ties between contemporary art and their cultural heritage or history; and
• artists from the Yukon to prepare their work for the national or international stage.
No fixed amount
Grant
Description:
The Cultural Industries Training Fund (CITF) supports the training needs of Yukon’s cultural industry. It funds training that will increase employment, productivity or economic potential.
It supports training for jobs relating to the economic aspect of the arts sector. These jobs enable artists’ work to reach the public. This includes jobs such as: artistic director, general manager, production coordinator, marketer, framer, curator, conservator, editor, copyist, tuner, production accountant, translator, publisher, designer, make-up artist, etc.
The objective of this fund is to provide training and career enhancement opportunities for Yukon workers in the cultural or creative industries that will enhance people’s abilities to work in the sector and advance the creative sector as an economic force in the Yukon.
No fixed amount
Grant
Description:
The Compensation for Wildlife Damage Category is designed to provide funding to cover loss of livestock due to predation and loss of crops due to wildlife.
$375,000
Grant
Description:
The Community Tourism Destination Development Fund will make $1 million available annually to provide support to capital and non-capital projects that focus on sustainable tourism development in their community or region.
No fixed amount
Grant
Description:
The Building UP program goals are to:
• improve job seekers’ success and help them become self-sufficient;
• reduce job vacancy rates and speed up hiring;
• increase labour market participation and success for:
• Yukon First Nations citizens;
• youth ages 16 to 35;
• workers over the age of 50;
• persons with disabilities;
• newcomers to Canada; and
• women in trades and technology;
• create and share labour market information for job seekers and employers; and
• participate in activities and evaluations that shape yearly labour market priorities.
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Maurice
