When applying to government funding programs for your small business in Canada you want to ensure that you don’t make any mistakes that could get your funding application denied.

The first step to applying to funding programs such as government grants, government loans and tax breaks is to locate the appropriate programs which you see as most fit for your funding needs and to your business.

Remember that in order to succeed with your funding application you have to meet the funding agency criteria and all of their requirements. To be able to locate the best funding programs for your business, try to narrow down your search by your location (city, province), by your industry and by your funding requirements (what you need funding for and how much).

Throughout this process, your business plan is your best friend. Remember that.

We’ve put together a sample cover letter to assist you in applying to the various government funding programs. Use the below template of the cover letter and modify it as you wish to suit your needs and your business.

[Company Legal Name]

[Address]

[City], [Province] [Postal Code]

[Website URL]

[Date]

[Funding Agency/Funding Program Contact Person’s Name]

[Funding Agency/Funding Program]

[Agency/Program Address]

[City, Province Postal Code]

Dear [Funding Agency/Funding Program Contact Person’s Name],

It was great speaking with you today and learning more about the funding program. I’ve enclosed a copy of the Executive Summary from our business plan for your review. After speaking with you, I’m hopeful that the nature of our company, our area of focus, and our approach to [xxx] align with your funding agencies interests in an investment opportunity in the [Industry] market. I believe [Company] is an excellent fit for the type of funding you described.

As you evaluate our company, you will probably find these key points of considerable interest:

• [Company] recently [briefly discuss your company’s most significant major accomplishment of the past year].
• [Company] has always put [xxx] ahead of [xxx]. We have consistently maintained the highest levels of [xxx] and [xxx], earning [industry / community / national / etc.] awards and commendations for [xxx].
• Business growth has always been managed with a view to [xxx] and [xxx]. We take great pride in the fact that we have [xxx] since [xxx].
• According to [name the source of the statistics you are about to quote], growth is forecast at [00]% new [type of customers] customers in our targeted segment every year for at least the next [00] years.
• As [Company]’s [xxx] solves the critical issue of [xxx] for [00]% of customers, growth forecast at $[00] million annually leads us to expect that an investment now will yield handsome returns by [Month / Quarter], 20[xx].

Our funding requirement of $[000] will be used to [xxx]. We are, of course, open to negotiation in some areas. Our forecasts indicate that Investor(s) can anticipate exit by 20[xx].

The attached Executive Summary should answer most of your questions regarding this [Company] opportunity. We are prepared to make a full presentation, at your earliest convenience. [Company] must move swiftly to take advantage of the opportunity to [xxx]. I will call early next week to arrange an appointment.

Should you have questions in the meantime, please feel free to contact me on my cell phone at, [Telephone].

We look forward to meeting with you.

Best regards,

[Owner/Founder]

Founder & CEO

[Founder email]