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Community Futures Ontario — Access to Capital

Q: Who is eligible for the Community Futures Ontario — Access to Capital program?

To be eligible for the Community Futures Ontario — Access to Capital program, you must: The applicant must be a small or medium-sized business or a social enterprise. Funding is available for start-up, expansion, or stabilization plans aimed at maintaining or creating jobs. The financing is available when other sources of financing are insufficient.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Community Futures Ontario — Access to Capital?

You can contact Community Futures Ontario (CFO) or by phone at 1-888-633-2326.

Q: Where is the Community Futures Ontario — Access to Capital available?

The Community Futures Ontario — Access to Capital program is available across Canada.

Q: Is the Community Futures Ontario — Access to Capital a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Community Futures Ontario — Access to Capital is a Loans and Capital investments

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Community Futures Ontario — Access to Capital?

Community Futures Ontario — Access to Capital is funded by Community Futures Ontario (CFO)

Last Update: October 27, 2025

Canada

Loan for businesses and social enterprises in rural Ontario

Loans and Capital investments

Community Futures Ontario

Overview

Get repayable financing of $150,000 or more for your SME or social enterprise, in the form of a loan, loan guarantee or equity investment, when financing from other sources is insufficient.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals

Renovate your business/factory

Eligible Funding

Minimum amount : 150,000 $

Timeline

Unspecified

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries

All industries

Location

Canada

Legal structures

For-profit business
Social economy enterprise

Annual revenue

All revenue ranges

Organisation size

All organization sizes

Audience

All groups

Activities funded

Start-up and expansion projects for small businesses.
Stabilization plans to help maintain existing jobs in the community.
Social enterprise initiatives that create or save jobs.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 150,000

Expanding a digital marketing agency

$ 150,000

Developing a job creation program for at-risk youth

$ 170,000

Establishing a new farm-to-table restaurant

$ 200,000

Expanding a local organic food store to a full-fledged supermarket

$ 150,000

Developing a stabilization plan for a community healthcare clinic

$ 150,000

Launching a tech start-up focused on educational software

Eligibility

Eligibility for this grant is based on specific criteria that ensure the alignment of the applicant's business plans and community impact.

The applicant must be a small business or social enterprise.
The business must be planning for start-up, expansion, or stabilization of operations.
The plans must aim to maintain or create jobs within the community.
Financing must be unavailable or insufficient from other sources to qualify for CFDC support.
All decisions are made at the community level by local boards of directors.

Who is eligible?

The Community Futures Program's Access to Capital initiative is designed to support small and medium-sized businesses and social enterprises that are seeking financing for start-up, expansion, or stabilization projects with the objective of job creation or retention. This program targets companies that have difficulties obtaining financing from other sources.

Who is not eligible

There are certain types of companies that are not eligible for this grant:

Companies involved in illegal activities.
Businesses that do not have a viable business plan.

Eligible expenses

This program provides financial assistance to small and medium-sized businesses and social enterprises for start-up, expansion, or stabilization, specifically to help maintain or create jobs.

Financing new or existing small businesses.
Support for social enterprises' start-up activities.
Expansion projects for growth and development.
Stabilization plans to sustain operations and employment.
Local decision-making for financing eligibility.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is designed for businesses and social enterprises that are located in specific regions under the Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) in Canada. The eligible geographical areas are those served by the local CFDC offices, ensuring support is provided to regions that align with community economic development goals.

Communities served by the Community Futures Development Corporations in Canada.

Selection criteria

The Community Futures Program provides repayable financing for small businesses and social enterprises through local investment funds. The financing decisions are made at the community level by local boards of directors.

Business viability and potential for job creation or retention
Demonstrated need for financing when other sources are insufficient
Clear business plan outlining the use of funds
Positive impact on the community or region
Ability to repay the financing on commercial terms

How to apply

Identify Nearest CFDC

Go to the "Find a Local CFDC" section of the Community Futures Network of Canada website.
Use the area maps or search function to find the CFDC office nearest to your location.

Contact CFDC

Contact the nearest CFDC for guidance on the specific application process and requirements.
Reach out via the provided email address or phone number (1-888-633-2326) for further assistance.

Application Preparation

Gather necessary documents including business plans, financial statements, and project details.
Develop a comprehensive application that outlines the purpose of the funding request, the business plan, and expected job creation or stabilization outcomes.

Submit Application

Submit your application to the CFDC board directly through the method specified by the local office.
Ensure all required documents and information are included with your application.

Await Decision

Wait for the CFDC board to review your application and make a financing decision.
Be available to furnish any additional information if requested by the CFDC.

Additional information

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Financing options include loans, loan guarantees, and equity investments.
The local boards of directors make all financing decisions at the community level.
Projects must focus on maintaining or creating jobs in the local community.
CFDCs provide support to small and medium-sized businesses when financing from other sources is insufficient.
CFDCs offer repayable financing of $150,000 or more on commercial terms.
Interested applicants should contact the nearest CFDC office for more details and assistance with the application process.

Contacts

1-888-633-2326

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Community Futures Ontario — Access to Capital Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Community Futures Ontario — Access to Capital. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Community Futures Ontario — Access to Capital?

Who is eligible for the Community Futures Ontario — Access to Capital program?

What expenses are eligible under Community Futures Ontario — Access to Capital?

The Community Futures Program provides financial assistance for projects that aim to foster economic growth and community development through loans or equity investments. Eligible projects focus on supporting small and medium-sized businesses and social enterprises. Start-up and expansion projects for small businesses. Stabilization plans to help maintain existing jobs in the community. Social enterprise initiatives that create or save jobs.