How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 70% of admissible expenses, capped at $15000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

MRC de Thérèse de Blainville — Social Economy and Sustainable Development Business Development Fund

Q: What are MRC de Thérèse de Blainville — Social Economy and Sustainable Development Business Development Fund's eligibility criterias?

The business must be located and operate mainly within the MRC de Thérèse-De Blainville. The applicant must be a non-profit organization or a cooperative (not for-profit businesses). The business must demonstrate social and economic benefits for the community.

Last Update: May 21, 2025

QC, Canada

Supports social economy and sustainable development business projects

MRC de Thérèse de Blainville — Social Economy and Sustainable Development Business Development Fund at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $15,000
Up to 70% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Educational services
Health care and social assistance
Arts, entertainment and recreation
Other services (except public administration)
Public administration

Grant Providers

MRC Thérèse de Blainville

Status

Open

Overview of the MRC de Thérèse de Blainville — Social Economy and Sustainable Development Business Development Fund program

The Social Economy and Sustainable Development Business Development Fund (FDEÉSDD) of the MRC de Thérèse-De Blainville provides non-repayable financial contributions of up to $15,000 to support the creation, consolidation, and expansion of social economy enterprises and sustainable development projects in the region. Eligible activities include feasibility studies, business planning, start-up costs, capital expenditures, and initiatives for developing new products and services within non-profit organizations and cooperatives.

Financing terms and conditions

Pre-startup (Volet A): Funding covers up to 70% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $10,000.
Startup (Volet B): Funding covers up to 50% of total eligible project costs, up to a maximum of $15,000; at least 50% of project costs must be contributed by the applicant and partners, with a minimum of 30% provided as a cash contribution.
Consolidation (Volet C): Funding covers up to 50% of eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $10,000.
Expansion (Volet D): Funding covers up to 50% of total eligible project costs, up to a maximum of $15,000; at least 50% of project costs must be contributed by the applicant and partners, with a minimum of 30% provided as a cash contribution.
Total financial aid from MRC for all programs cannot exceed $150,000 over a 12-month period.

Eligible projects & activities

Creation of new social economy enterprises or entrepreneurial projects within non-profit organizations and cooperatives.
Development of innovative and impactful projects that address community needs and priorities identified by the region.
Initiatives aimed at maintaining or creating sustainable, remunerated jobs within the territory.
Expansion of existing social economy enterprises through new products or services.
Consolidation plans to strengthen the viability and sustainability of existing social economy businesses.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 14,500

Launching a zero-waste refill grocery pilot with retail upgrades

$ 15,000

Expanding a community bike share with new stations and fleet

$ 14,800

Developing a mobile compost collection service for local SMEs

$ 14,700

Feasibility study for a local textile recycling social enterprise

$ 14,300

Upgrading a daycare’s energy efficiency with solar installation

$ 14,900

Launching a bilingual digital skills training program for youth

Eligibility criteria of the MRC de Thérèse de Blainville — Social Economy and Sustainable Development Business Development Fund program

The applicant must have its head office and conduct the majority of its activities within the MRC de Thérèse-De Blainville.
The applicant must be a non-profit organization or a cooperative.
The company must demonstrate autonomous management and democratic governance.
The project or enterprise must generate social and economic benefits for the community through the production and sale of socially useful goods or services.
The applicant must operate in a market economy context and ensure user or client participation to generate autonomous revenue.

Who is eligible?

Non-profit organizations (incorporated under Part III of the Companies Act of Quebec)
Cooperatives (incorporated under the Cooperatives Act)
Social economy enterprises operating on the territory of the MRC de Thérèse-De Blainville

Who is not eligible

Projects involving the relocation of the head office or a branch outside the territory of the MRC de Thérèse-De Blainville.
Companies or projects controlled by entities other than the promoting group.
Projects with main or secondary activities that are controversial (including sexual, religious, or political activities).
Businesses acting exclusively as subcontractors for a single client.
Companies operating as franchises or pursuing speculative activities.
Projects involving Centres de la petite enfance (CPE), and retail or restaurant enterprises in the startup phase, which are not prioritized.

Eligible expenses

Professional fees and consulting expenses for studies, business plan preparation, or project-related expertise.
Market study and feasibility study costs.
Start-up expenses, including incorporation fees, initial advertising, and security deposits.
Capital expenditures such as land, buildings, production equipment, rolling stock, computer equipment, office furniture, and office equipment.
Acquisition of technologies, software, applications, and patents (excluding research and development activities).
Initial inventory costs.
Operational costs strictly tied to project realization.
Promotion and marketing expenses specifically for new products and services (including professional marketing fees and project-related management costs).

Eligible geographic areas

Companies with their head office and most activities located within the territory of the MRC de Thérèse-De Blainville.

Eligibility criteria of the MRC de Thérèse de Blainville — Social Economy and Sustainable Development Business Development Fund program

Demonstrated potential for medium- and long-term profitability and viability of the enterprise.
Project does not create direct competition with existing social economy initiatives in an insufficient market.
Operating in a sector that is not saturated or deemed non-priority.
Promoter possesses adequate knowledge, skills, and experience relevant to the project domain.
Demonstrated market potential and originality, along with clear job creation potential and essential need for financial aid.

How to apply to the MRC de Thérèse de Blainville — Social Economy and Sustainable Development Business Development Fund program

Confirm eligibility requirements

Verify that the organization or promoter meets all eligibility conditions specific to the FDEÉSDD
Ensure the head office and most activities are in the Thérèse-De Blainville MRC
Confirm the organization's legal status as a non-profit or cooperative with democratic governance and financial autonomy
Check that the project produces socially and economically beneficial effects for the community and operates in a market economy
Review the exclusion criteria for ineligible projects

Prepare application documents

Gather required documentation, such as a completed application form (except for Pre-startup stream), comprehensive business plan and financial forecasts for the first two years
Demonstrate the essential nature of the financial assistance and project viability
Prepare proof of financial contribution representing at least 30% of the project cost
Ensure all supporting documents and evidence of compliance are ready

Submit application

Submit the application and supporting documents during the project call period (one or two times per year depending on available funds)
Ensure submission within deadlines set by the MRC
Allow the economic development advisor to review the file for initial eligibility

Evaluation and decision process

Wait for the Eligibility Committee to analyze and evaluate the submitted project
Respond to possible requests for additional information or project presentation before the FDEÉSDD Committee
Receive notification of the council’s decision regarding acceptance or rejection and the amount of funding granted

Finalize agreement and monitoring

Sign a memorandum of understanding specifying disbursement and obligations
Present required permits, authorizations, and all necessary financing before funds are released
Begin the project within 12 months after the board’s approval
Meet the economic development advisor of the MRC at least twice during the agreement for project follow-up

Additional information

A monitoring mechanism requires beneficiaries to meet at least twice with an economic development advisor from the MRC during the agreement period.
Financial assistance is conditional on the availability of annual budget allocations to the fund.
A final activity and financial report must be submitted at the end of the project, including supporting invoices.
The committee members overseeing project evaluations must sign confidentiality and conflict of interest agreements annually.