— FOR ONTARIO NONPROFITS & CHARITIES

Up to 90% of your AI project, funded.

Federal AI adoption funding is open now: $125K to $5M, non-repayable. We help you find out if you qualify, then deliver the data, governance and people work that makes AI useful and safe.

Start the free eligibility check How it works

Early deadline Nov 24, 2026 (projects starting before Mar 31, 2027) · Final deadline Jan 19, 2027, 4:59 p.m. ET

Can Ontario nonprofits get funding for AI?

Yes. The federal Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) funds AI adoption projects at incorporated nonprofits and registered charities. FedDev Ontario delivers it in southern Ontario and FedNor in Northern Ontario. In southern Ontario, eligible organizations can receive $125,000 to $5 million, non-repayable, covering up to 90% of eligible costs. Applications close January 19, 2027 at 4:59 p.m. ET.

LAST UPDATED: NOVEMBER 2026

— ELIGIBILITY

Who qualifies?

Southern Ontario: FedDev Ontario RAII (AI Adoption stream)

  • Incorporated not-for-profit, registered charity, First Nation, Métis or Inuit not-for-profit, or municipality
  • Located and operating in southern Ontario
  • $1M+ annual revenue or operating expenses (most recent financial statements)
  • 5+ full-time equivalent employees (contractors don't count)
  • 3+ years of operations
  • At least 10% of project costs in cash from you or other sources

Northern Ontario: FedNor RAII

Incorporated nonprofits, municipalities and Indigenous organizations can apply. FedNor covers up to 90% of eligible costs, non-repayable, and assesses applications as they arrive. Confirm details with FedNor.

The program is not meant for small, volunteer-based or community-focused organizations. If that's you, see "Too small for this program?" below.

— ELIGIBLE COSTS

What can the funding pay for?

Fundable

  • AI readiness assessment
  • Data quality, governance and architecture
  • Integrating AI into real workflows and systems
  • Cybersecurity and reducing dependence on a single vendor
  • Responsible-AI policies, frameworks and committees
  • Change management, staff AI literacy and youth workforce integration

Not fundable

  • Buying off-the-shelf tools on their own (e.g. a few ChatGPT or Copilot licences)
  • Ongoing operating costs
  • Fees for preparing the application, including consultant fees
— THE TEAM

Who delivers the whole project?

One team for the whole project.

PEOPLE, GOVERNANCE AND CHANGE

Ro & Co Consulting

AI policy, responsible-use committee, staff AI literacy and change management, led by a Chief People Officer.

AI SYSTEMS AND DATA

Intrepid Data Solutions

Builds, deploys and maintains AI systems for organizations without an in-house CTO, starting from the data you already have.

IMPACT AND PRODUCTIVITY MEASUREMENT

Both organizations

Baselines and outcome measures your board and funder can trust.

Who leads the work

Rovita NawbattENGAGEMENT LEAD

Rovita Nawbatt, MBA

Founder and Chief People Officer, Ro & Co Consulting

People-strategy and workforce transformation executive. As Head, People Strategy and Talent Systems Transformation at Infrastructure Ontario, a provincial Crown agency, she grew the workforce fivefold, from 200 to 1,000, through a capability audit, recruitment roadshows and upskilling, and drove enterprise digital-tool adoption to 92%. Earlier operating-model and workforce roles at CIBC (Ontario and Saskatchewan) and RSA. Ivey Executive MBA; certified in change management.

Leads: the overall engagement and your relationship with us; training and AI literacy; operating model, organizational design and talent strategy; change management and the workforce and labour-relations lens across the project.

About Rovita

AI STRATEGY LEAD

Dr. Christian Dippel, PhD

Co-founder and CEO, Intrepid Data Solutions

Donald F. Hunter Professor in International Business at Ivey Business School and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). Previously Professor of Economics at UCLA. He designed and leads Ivey's AI Strategy for Competitive Advantage executive program (rated 4.9/5), and has consulted for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the World Bank. Co-founder of two other AI and data companies. PhD in Economics, University of Toronto.

Leads: responsible AI strategy and governance; the AI program blueprint and financial plan; AI standards and data readiness; executive AI briefings for leadership and boards.

LinkedIn · Ivey profile

— THE PROCESS

How does it work?

  1. 01

    Free eligibility check

    30 minutes against the program tests. Start online in 3 minutes.

  2. 02

    Project scoping

    We shape the project, work plan and budget for our part. You own and submit the application.

  3. 03

    AI readiness assessment

    Data, systems, people and policy, with a clear roadmap.

  4. 04

    Funded delivery

    We deliver the project and measure the results.

Start the free eligibility check
— OTHER OPTIONS

Too small for this program?

You're not too small for AI. Free options for Ontario nonprofits:

Want to build your team's AI skills with us? See AI Workflow Lab / Team Lab for small teams.

— FAQ

What do nonprofits ask most?

Is the RAII funding a loan?

For nonprofits and charities in the FedDev AI Adoption stream, it's a non-repayable contribution covering up to 90% of eligible costs.

What's the deadline?

Final deadline January 19, 2027 at 4:59 p.m. ET. Apply by November 24, 2026 if your project and costs start before March 31, 2027.

Do charities qualify?

Yes. Incorporated nonprofits including charities are eligible if they meet the size tests: $1M+ revenue or operating expenses, 5+ FTE staff and 3+ years of operations.

Can we use the funding to buy ChatGPT or Copilot licences?

Not on their own. Commonly available AI tools aren't eligible. The program funds adoption work such as data, integration, governance and training.

Can a consultant write our application?

Application preparation costs, including consultant fees, are not eligible project costs, and your authorized contacts must be your own staff. We help you scope the project for free; your organization owns and submits the application.

How much do we need to contribute?

At least 10% of eligible costs, in cash, from your organization or other non-government sources.

We're in Northern Ontario. Does this apply?

Yes, through FedNor's version of the program, which also covers up to 90% of eligible costs.

What if we're too small?

See the free options above, or book a call and we'll suggest the right first step.

Find out if you qualify in 3 minutes

Start the free eligibility check Prefer to talk? Book a call

Ro & Co Consulting Inc. and Intrepid Data Solutions are independent and not affiliated with the Government of Canada, FedDev Ontario or FedNor. Funding decisions rest with the agencies. Details current as of November 2026; confirm on the official program pages.

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