Grant
Private
Between Intakes
Black Ideas Grant (B.I.G.) 4.0 (Foundation for Black Communities)
Foundation for Black Communities (FFBC)
Maximum Funding
Up to $30K, $80K or $200K
B.I.G. 4.0 (2026) applications closed on October 20, 2026. The next round has...
Difficulty
Moderate
Payment
Varies
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
Varies
Black Ideas Grant (B.I.G.) 4.0 (Foundation for Black Communities) provides up to $30K, $80K or $200K. One-year flexible grants from the Foundation for Black Communities for Black-led, Black-mandated and Black-serving (B3) charities and non-profits across Canada, from an $8 million pool. B.I.G. 4.0 (2026) applications closed on October 20, 2026. The next round has not been announced.
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Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
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Program Description
One-year flexible grants from the Foundation for Black Communities for Black-led, Black-mandated and Black-serving (B3) charities and non-profits across Canada, from an $8 million pool. Organizations apply to one of three streams: Core (up to $30,000 for operations), Catapult (up to $80,000 for new or expanded programs) or Community Spaces (up to $200,000 for capital projects). B.I.G. 4.0 closed October 20, 2026; the next round has not been announced.
Eligibility Requirements
- Organization must be Black-led, Black-mandated and Black-serving (B3): at least two-thirds of the organization's leadership, staff and board must identify as Black
- Must be a registered charity in good standing with the CRA, a non-profit incorporated under federal or provincial legislation, or an unincorporated non-profit or group (e.g. Black collaborative, student union, affinity group) applying with an incorporated B3 non-profit or charity partner
- Must be located in Canada, with the initiative based in Canada and serving Black communities in Canada
- Initiative must address at least one focus area (combating anti-Black racism, improving social outcomes, improving economic outcomes) and one or more Sustainable Development Goals and Social Determinants of Health
- Funds must be fully used by March 31, 2028
- One application to one stream per organization or group; only the first completed submission is considered
- Community Spaces Stream only: registered and operating in Canada for at least three years, externally prepared financial statements for the past year (audited, review engagement or notice to reader), proof of ownership or long-term lease, and a detailed project plan; unincorporated groups cannot apply to this stream
- Organizations funded under B.I.G. 2.0 (2024) or B.I.G. 3.0 (2025) are not eligible; B.I.G. 1.0 (2023) recipients in good standing may apply, with priority given to organizations never funded by B.I.G.
Provinces
Industries
Quick Assessment
Difficulty
Moderate
Competition
High
First-Timer
Friendly
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to $30K, $80K or $200KCore Stream up to $30,000 for core and operational needs unrelated to programming; Catapult Stream up to $80,000 for new or expanded programs and services; Community Spaces Stream up to $200,000 for capital projects and social infrastructure. $8 million total for B.I.G. 4.0. One application to one stream per organization.
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Private
- Deadline
- B.I.G. 4.0 (2026) applications closed on October 20, 2026. The next round has not been announced.
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Competition
High
Deadline
Between Intakes
Approval
Varies
Accessibility
3/5
Moderate — standard application process
Competition
4/5
High competition — many applicants
Difficulty
3/5
Moderate — standard requirements
Processing Time
Budget Trend
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How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
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Insider TipB.I.G.
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Rejection Pitfalls 8
- Organization is not Black-led, Black-mandated and Black-serving (less than two-thirds Black leadership, staff and board)
+7 more pitfalls
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Success Profile
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Evaluation Criteria
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All 8 pitfalls, the checklist and the reviewer notes are in the Playbook below. See what it includes ↓
What's in this Playbook
Everything you need to win Black Ideas Grant 4.0
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 8 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 4-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- Your Application Game Plan — the print-ready PDF the preview below describes
- 5-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
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Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
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5 steps
4 docs
Application Steps
1
Confirm B3 eligibility and pick one stream Check the two-thirds Black leadership, staff and board rule, then choose Core, Catapult or Community Spaces, since only one application to one stream is allowed.
Required Documents 4
✓ Online application through the FFBC SMApply portal (or an oral application booked with FFBC staff)
✓ For unincorporated groups: an incorporated B3 non-profit or charity partner secured before applying, and a signed collaboration agreement if funded
Eligible Expenses 4
Ineligible Expenses 8
Intake Periods
Deadline Notes
Ineligible Organizations
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The full guide for this program also covers:
- 4 more application steps
- 2 more required documents
- 4 eligible expenses
- 8 ineligible expenses
- Intake periods
- Deadline notes
- Ineligible organizations
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
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Combined Funding Potential
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Clawback Risk
Low Risk
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How Black Ideas Grant 4.0 Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about Black Ideas Grant 4.0
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Who can apply for the Black Ideas Grant 4.0?
Black-led, Black-mandated and Black-serving (B3) registered charities and incorporated non-profits in Canada, where at least two-thirds of leadership, staff and board identify as Black. Unincorporated groups can apply with an incorporated B3 partner.
Can a Black-owned business apply?
No. For-profit organizations, corporations and for-profit social enterprises are not eligible, and a business cannot act as an incorporated partner.
How much funding does each B.I.G. 4.0 stream offer?
Core offers up to $30,000 for operations, Catapult up to $80,000 for new or expanded programs, and Community Spaces up to $200,000 for capital projects. Each organization can apply to one stream only.
We received B.I.G. funding before. Can we apply again?
B.I.G. 1.0 (2023) recipients in good standing can apply. Recipients of B.I.G. 2.0 (2024) or 3.0 (2025) are not eligible, and organizations never funded by B.I.G. get priority.
When is the B.I.G. 4.0 deadline and when are decisions made?
B.I.G. 4.0 closed October 20, 2026. Its applicants are notified by March 2027; the next round has not been announced.
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Full Playbook: Black Ideas Grant 4.0
5 steps · 4 docs · reviewer insights