Open
Community Futures Alberta — Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
Business support for rural Alberta entrepreneurs with disabilities
Last Update: June 8, 2026
Funding available
$ 600
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Alberta, Canada
Overview
The program offers free, confidential coaching and support for rural Alberta entrepreneurs with disabilities or health-related barriers. It helps participants start, grow, maintain, pivot, or sell a small business, with access to coaching, training, workshops, and financing opportunities.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Complete an acquisition or business transfer
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 600 $
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Alberta
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Persons with Disabilities
- Rural or Northern Residents
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Starting a small business.
- Growing or maintaining an existing business.
- Business planning and problem solving.
- Coaching and support for business sustainability, pivoting, or selling.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Individuals in rural Alberta.
- Small business owners and entrepreneurs.
- People with a disability, long-term health condition, or other health-related barrier.
Eligible expenses
The Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program supports business activities that empower individuals with disabilities to start and grow their own businesses. Eligible projects focus on personal and business development, leveraging technology, and providing necessary financial and mentorship support.
- Starting a new business venture with a viable business idea.
- Growth and expansion activities for existing businesses owned by individuals with disabilities.
- Access to loans for business operations and capital needs.
- Participation in business coaching and mentoring sessions to enhance entrepreneurial skills.
- Engagement with training programs focusing on technology and business management.
- Utilizing support services that contribute to mental wellness for entrepreneurs.
Eligible geographic areas
- Rural Alberta, outside Edmonton and Calgary.
Selection criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program grant:
- Self-disclosed disability or ongoing health condition
- Residency in rural Alberta
- Viable business idea
- Ability to contribute to the business
How to apply
- Step 1: Check eligibility
- Review the program criteria before applying.
- Step 2: Contact the program
- Reach out to your local Community Futures office or use the contact form.
- Step 3: Discuss your application
- Speak with the local EDP Coordinator and complete a brief Participation Agreement if appropriate.
- Step 4: Select coaching support
- Meet with a coach and choose your coaching package and plan.
- Step 5: Start coaching
- Begin coaching sessions in a flexible format.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed through a local Community Futures office or the contact form.
- Applicants discuss their fit with an EDP Coordinator before proceeding.
- Accepted participants are matched with a coach for a 30-minute discovery session before coaching begins.
- A Participation Agreement must be completed before moving forward.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this program:
- The Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program is celebrating its 25th anniversary, highlighting its longstanding support for communities.
- The program offers comprehensive resources, including mental wellness support, an essential aspect for entrepreneurs facing health challenges.
- Community Futures has over 30 years of experience supporting rural Alberta entrepreneurs, providing a strong foundation of reliable support.
- The program includes free resources, enhancing accessibility and reducing financial barriers for starting and growing businesses.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Community Futures Alberta — Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program
What is the Community Futures Alberta — Entrepreneurs with Disabilities?
The program offers free, confidential coaching and support for rural Alberta entrepreneurs with disabilities or health-related barriers. It helps participants start, grow, maintain, pivot, or sell a small business, with access to coaching, training, workshops, and financing opportunities.
How much funding can be received?
Community Futures Alberta — Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Funds up to $600 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Community Futures Alberta — Entrepreneurs with Disabilities program?
To be eligible for the Community Futures Alberta — Entrepreneurs with Disabilities program, you must:
Live in rural Alberta.
Operate a small business.
Have a self-declared health barrier.
What expenses are eligible under Community Futures Alberta — Entrepreneurs with Disabilities?
Starting a small business.
Growing or maintaining an existing business.
Business planning and problem solving.
Coaching and support for business sustainability, pivoting, or selling.
Who can I contact for more information about the Community Futures Alberta — Entrepreneurs with Disabilities?
You can contact Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) or by phone at 403-851-9995.
Where is the Community Futures Alberta — Entrepreneurs with Disabilities available?
The Community Futures Alberta — Entrepreneurs with Disabilities program is available the province of Alberta.
Is the Community Futures Alberta — Entrepreneurs with Disabilities a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Community Futures Alberta — Entrepreneurs with Disabilities is a Loans and Capital investments