Waterloo Region - The Region of Waterloo is investing $68,400 in nine local organizations through its 2026 Entrepreneurial Initiatives Grants, supporting non-profit and charitable organizations in the community to support and grow our talent ecosystem. These grants will support programs that help residents enter or stay in the workforce, including career coaching for youth, entrepreneurship training, reskilling for growing industries, and employment support for newcomers and equity-deserving groups.  

“The Entrepreneurial Initiatives Grant supports community organizations that are helping and participating in Waterloo Region’s evolving economy,” said Regional Chair, Karen Redman. “Regional Council is proud to support initiatives that build local skills, expand opportunity and contribute to a strong, inclusive workforce.”

Following a review process, nine organizations were selected to receive funding: 

Business and Education Partnership - $10,000 for the continuation and expansion of core programming that develops youth talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial skills in direct partnerships with local businesses, responding to talent gaps in the community. 

Canadian Arab Women’s Association - $10,000 to deliver and scale a targeted employment and food entrepreneurship initiative for Arab and newcomer women. 

Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region - $8,000 for programming and events supporting youth and early-career professionals from Black and other underrepresented communities by positioning entrepreneurship as a career pathway. 

Community Company - $8,000 to support the growth of two established, charity-led social enterprises in Waterloo Region.

Food Bank of Waterloo Region - $6,500 of funding for two additional program participants in the established Newcomer Work Experience Program, which provides paid Canadian work experience and key skills training at the Food Bank to newcomers to Canada. 

ForUsGirls Foundation - $5,000 for entrepreneurship, skills training, and professional development programming for young BIPOC women, girls, and non-binary individuals. 

Junior Achievement of Southwestern Ontario - $9,000 to support the JA Company Program, which allows high school students to create and operate a small business over 18 weeks, and JA Career Hunt, which connects youth with career mentors across industries. 

Tender Loving Daycare - $6,000 to support a community informed workshop series designed to strengthen and stabilize the early childhood educator (ECE) workforce across Waterloo Region, delivered in partnership with the Child Care Network of Waterloo Region.

Waterloo 4-H Association - $5,900 to support the continuation of existing youth programming in the community with an emphasis on rural areas. 

These grants are part of the Region’s ongoing work to ensure residents across all seven area municipalities have access to high-quality training and employment supports that meet the evolving needs of the local economy. 

For more information about business and workforce development in Waterloo Region, visit https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/doing-business/build-waterloo-region

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