The Coalition of Innovation Leaders Against Racism (CILAR) has developed a national grant program for Black-led businesses to help them through the remainder of the pandemic.

Funded by Facebook Canada, in partnership with Pitch Better Canada and Black Opportunity Fund, the program will provide between $2,500 to $10,000 to each venture, with the goal of providing capital to as many founders as possible. 

The program is accepting applications until this Friday, Aug. 20. Qualifying businesses must be:

Black-led, with the majority of owners and/or the leadership team identifying as Black

Share how COVID has impacted the business

Provide an overview of how funds will be used to help sustain the business through the pandemic.

In a statement, market research firm Pitch Better Canada said that 35 percent of Black founders in this country never take advantage of available funding, and that: "Black women entrepreneurs do not access funding due to lack of information/cannot identify program, did not meet eligibility, and frustration with previous outcomes."

The group recently produced the FoundHers Report.

Apply for the CILAR grant here.