Facebook will accept applications for its $100 million international grant program starting today and running until June 2, 2020.

Under the program small business owners can apply for grants of more than $5,000 in cash and ad credits. You do not have to have a Facebook presence to apply. Details of eligibility and instructions on how to apply can be found here.

Facebook notes that almost $3.5 million in grants will be available to roughly 650 small businesses in cities where the company has offices: Toronto, Ottawa-Gatineau, Montreal and Vancouver.

In addition to the $100 million grant program, Facebook has undertaken several additional projects to help small businesses:

• Virtual training: In partnership with the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Facebook will run a free training series focused on helping businesses get online and adopt e-commerce. The series will start on June 3rd. (program details)
• Fundraising to support local businesses: Facebook has changed its policies to now allow individuals to fundraise for local businesses.
• Gift cards and food orders: Local businesses can use a new  Instagram gift card service to make it easy for people to tap and purchase food or a gift card.

“We know small businesses are being hit hard right now, and we want to help,” said Garrick Tiplady, Managing Director of Facebook and Instagram Canada. “We’re listening to the challenges Canadian small business owners face and want to do all we can to provide useful resources - including much needed financial support - for them during this challenging time.”

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