Community Futures Ontario — Access to Capital
grant_single|update January 24, 2025
Canada
Loan for businesses and social enterprises in rural Ontario
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|minCount
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Loans and Capital investments
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- Community Futures Ontario (CFO)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
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.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
This grant provides structured financing solutions to facilitate the growth and sustainability of small businesses and social enterprises in communities across Canada. Tailored to support employment creation and maintenance, it offers flexible repayment terms.
- Repayable financing of $150,000 or more available on commercial terms.
- Funding provided through loans, loan guarantees, or equity investments.
- Financing decisions are made at the community level by local boards of directors.
grant_single_labels|projects
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.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 150,000
Developing a stabilization plan for a community healthcare clinic
$ 170,000
Establishing a new farm-to-table restaurant
$ 150,000
Developing a job creation program for at-risk youth
$ 150,000
Launching a tech start-up focused on educational software
$ 150,000
Expanding a digital marketing agency
$ 200,000
Expanding a local organic food store to a full-fledged supermarket
grant_single_labels|admissibility
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|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.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
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.
grant_single_labels|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
grant_single_labels|apply
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grant_single_labels|otherInfo
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.
grant_single_labels|contact
1-888-633-2326
Apply to this program
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