TD Bank Group (TD) has announced the grant recipients of the 2024 TD Ready Challenge, an annual initiative that supports nonprofit and charitable organizations that develop innovative, impactful, and measurable solutions.
In 2024, the TD Ready Challenge invited organizations to submit proposals designed to remove barriers for underserved entrepreneurs. Through these grants, the Bank aims to contribute to a stronger and more inclusive small business environment in Canada and the U.S.
"When small businesses thrive, communities thrive," says Ellen Glaessner, Head of Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship. "This is why TD is supporting nonprofit organizations who help cultivate the entrepreneurial landscape. Support is especially vital for underserved entrepreneurs, who face unique challenges and are an important part of the small business ecosystem. The proposed solutions have incredible potential to make a real difference, and we can't wait to see the impact they will help drive."
The TD Ready Challenge Grant program is part of the Bank's longstanding commitment to help the communities we serve prosper. Each year, the program puts out a call for organizations in Canada and the U.S. to submit applications that offer solutions to a different problem statement. In previous years, the program has focused on helping to address barriers to affordable housing, health care and income stability, and addressing pandemic-related learning loss.
The 2024 Canadian TD Ready Challenge recipients and their winning submissions, described in their own words.
Ampere (formerly The Pinnguaq Association) | Amp Up small business
"Amp Up Small Business will support low-income future entrepreneurs in underserved rural, remote, and Indigenous communities in Northern Canada, providing training and resources to develop, launch, and grow small businesses. Some participants will be selected for Amp Incubator, receiving support and financial investment in exchange for a percentage of revenue to be reinvested in Amp Up programming."
Futurpreneur | Women in Entrepreneurship Initiative
"Futurpreneur's Women in Entrepreneurship Initiative supports women-owned and women-led businesses through networking events, a peer-supported community, and tailored capacity-building workshops. Participants will gain critical skills for business growth in topics like financial management, marketing, access to capital, and international expansion, with access to coaching and resources through in-person and virtual connection opportunities."
Tamarack Institute for Community Engagement and Small Economy Works| Initiating Futures: Advancing rural, remote, and northern entrepreneurs
"Tamarack Institute and Small Economy Works are working together to engage 300 entrepreneurs with practical and contextualized training to grow and develop their businesses. Through local community collaboratives and AI-powered learning, the program delivers personalized coaching and group learning opportunities designed specifically to support aspiring populations such as Indigenous women, rural, remote, and northern entrepreneurs."
University of British Columbia | UBC Sauder School of Business Ch'nook Management Program: Increasing Access to Economic Opportunities through Business Education, Entrepreneurship and Small Business Skills
"The Ch'nook Management Program empowers Indigenous entrepreneurs and small business owners with business education, skills, and resources to succeed. UBC Sauder faculty integrate business knowledge and management training with Indigenous perspectives to create a culturally relevant learning experience, culminating in participants presenting their projects or ventures at the program's end."
Syrian Canadian Foundation | Newcomer Entrepreneur Women (N.E.W) Venture
"The N.E.W Venture program, in partnership with the NISA Foundation, is committed to advancing economic independence and social inclusion through entrepreneurship training and skills development for newcomer and refugee women in Ontario and Quebec, with a particular focus on women who are victims of gender-based violence."
Toronto Arts Foundation | Newcomer Artist Program
"The Newcomer Artist Program expansion empowers newcomer artists through mentorship, education, and work-integrated learning. Over three years, annual cohorts of 25 newcomer artists will gain entrepreneurship skills, paid work experience, and access to industry networks, contributing to their economic independence, personal and professional fulfillment, social integration, and long-term success."
A maximum of 10 grants were available through the program in 2024. Eligible Canadian-based organizations were able to apply for CAD $1 million and eligible U.S.-based organizations were able to apply for USD $1 million. Learn more. 
