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MRC La Jacques-Cartier — Social economy enterprise development fund
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Quebec, Canada
Financial support for social economy organizations in La Jacques-Cartier
Grant and Funding
Overview
The MRC La Jacques-Cartier Social Economy Enterprise Development Fund offers non-repayable grants of up to $15,000 to support the creation or expansion of social economy projects led by non-profit organizations, cooperatives, and mutuals. The program aims to foster job creation and sustainable economic and social benefits within the region by funding eligible capital and start-up activities.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Integrate new technologies
- Increasing community impact
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Information and cultural industries
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
- Other services (except public administration)
- Public administration
Location
- La Jacques-Cartier
- Capitale-Nationale
- Quebec
Legal structures
- Financial cooperative
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- Social economy enterprise
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
- Startups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Culture and Arts
- Social Services
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Employment and Training
Target groups
- General public
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Nonprofits / charities
Revenue structures
- Mixed revenue (50%+ earned)
- Fee-for-service model
Scope
- Regional
Activities funded
- Launching a new social economy enterprise.
- Creating a new social economy project within an existing organization or cooperative.
- Projects that support social, cultural, economic, or environmental development within the MRC La Jacques-Cartier territory.
- Initiatives aimed at creating or maintaining quality jobs in the region.
- Projects responding to an identified social need in the community.
Examples of admissible projects:
$ 15,000
Purchasing accessible transportation vehicles for seniors’ mobility initiative
$ 14,900
Opening a solidarity grocery store with zero-waste equipment purchase
$ 14,800
Implementing a digital platform for youth cultural programming access
$ 14,500
Launching a tool-lending library for sustainable construction projects
$ 14,000
Installing adaptive workstations at a social employment center
$ 15,000
Equipping a community kitchen for a local food cooperative
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a legally incorporated non-profit organization, cooperative, or mutual.
- The organization must have its main activity and business location within the MRC de La Jacques-Cartier territory.
- The project must generate or maintain primarily economic benefits within the territory of the MRC de La Jacques-Cartier.
- The applicant must demonstrate sufficient financial participation in the project (generally at least 20% of project costs).
- The organization must pursue a mission of service to its members or the community, with democratic decision-making processes and a focus on social impact over profit.
Who is eligible?
- Incorporated non-profit organizations
- Cooperatives
- Mutuals
Who is not eligible
- Companies operating in saturated sectors where current supply exceeds demand within the MRC La Jacques-Cartier territory.
- Businesses whose activities are sexual, religious, political, or otherwise controversial for which association with the SDE would be unreasonable.
- Projects that create undue or unfair competition for existing businesses in the territory.
- Organizations seeking funding for regular operations, debt service, loan repayment, or for projects already completed.
Eligible expenses
- Purchase of capital assets such as land, buildings, equipment, machinery, rolling stock, and incorporation fees (excluding goodwill expenses).
- Acquisition of technologies, software or applications, and patents (excluding research and development activities).
- Working capital needs directly related to the first year of the enterprise’s operations.
Eligible geographic areas
- Territory of the MRC de La Jacques-Cartier, Quebec
Selection criteria
- Potential for community and regional development, including economic and social impacts, and contribution to quality of life and environment in the MRC de La Jacques-Cartier.
- Perspectives for financial autonomy, including market relevance, diversified funding sources, realistic financial forecasts, and effective marketing strategies.
- Quality and characteristics of jobs created or maintained, focusing on job stability, remuneration, and training plans.
- Strength and nature of partnerships demonstrated by the number and type of engaged partners.
- Guarantee of project implementation, assessing the leadership, expertise, management capacity of promoters, and organizational support available.
How to apply
1
Verify eligibility criteria
- Ensure your project is aligned with the objectives of the SDE and MRC of La Jacques-Cartier
- Verify that your organization is a non-profit, cooperative, or mutual meeting the economic and social impact criteria
- Confirm your business is legally constituted and operates within the MRC territory
2
Assemble application documents
- Gather all required documents: detailed business plan, full project description, financial forecasts, market analysis
- Prepare legal documents: letters patent, shareholder agreement, company books
- Include CVs and personal balance sheets of promoters, list of board members and roles
- Draft a signed and dated resolution requesting financial assistance
3
Complete the application form
- Fill out the grant application form
- Ensure all sections are completed and information is accurate
- Write a project summary (maximum three pages)
4
Submit the application
- Submit the complete application package in two copies to the SDE office at the indicated address or by email
- Ensure submission at least thirty (30) days prior to the SDE Board of Directors meeting
5
Await application review
- Wait for the SDE's review and analysis of your application
- Be available for any additional questions or clarifications required by the committee
Additional information
- The SDE provides technical support and ongoing monitoring throughout the duration of the funding agreement.
- The grant is intended to complement, not replace, other available financial tools and programs on the market.
- The amount awarded is subject to fund availability and may be less than the amount requested.
- No project involving unfair competition will be accepted.
Contacts
jcartier@mrc.jacques-cartier.com
