Community Futures Ontario — Access to Capital

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.

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.

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

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.