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Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs - Ontario - Canada
Open
Source verified July 16, 2026

Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs

Funding for new employment social enterprises
Offered by
Enterprising Non-Profits Toronto, enp-TO (UWGT)
Official source: unitedwaygt.org
Funding available
$ 100,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Opened February 3, 2026
Location
Ontario, Canada
Who can apply

Employment social enterprises

See full eligibility

Overview

TEF supports the start-up of new employment social enterprises in Peel, Toronto, and York Region. It offers Catalyzing Grants up to $7,500 and Start-Up Grants up to $100,000 over three years for feasibility studies, business plans, and launch costs.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Start a business
  • Launch or market a product/service
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 100,000 $
Funds Providers

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • All industries
Location
  • Ontario
Legal structures
  • Social economy enterprise
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • All groups

Next Steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Developing early-stage employment social enterprise ideas.
  • Completing feasibility studies and business plans.
  • Launching and establishing new employment social enterprises.

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Employment social enterprises
  • Social entrepreneurs
  • Individuals and organizations developing early-stage ESE ideas

Eligible expenses

  • Human resources costs.
  • Coach and consulting fees.
  • Costs to participate in entrepreneurship support programs.
  • Administrative costs linked to feasibility study and business plan development.
  • Costs required to launch and establish a new employment social enterprise.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Costs not related to the development of a feasibility study and business plan.
  • Expenses beyond the launch and establishment of a new employment social enterprise.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Peel Region
  • Toronto
  • York Region

Selection criteria

  • Strength of the employment social enterprise idea.
  • Ability of the project to test market and employment demand.
  • Readiness to complete a feasibility study and business plan.
  • Potential to launch and establish a new ESE.

How to apply

  • Step 1: Review the program details
    • Read the available program information and guidance.
    • Check whether your project fits the Catalyzing or Start-Up Grant stream.
  • Step 2: Contact the funding body
    • If you want to apply for Catalyzing Grant funding and have not participated in an Accelerator, contact Paul Chamberlain for application details.
  • Step 3: Submit your application
    • Follow the application instructions provided by the funding body.

Processing and Agreement

  • Applicants interested in Catalyzing Grant funding and not already in an Accelerator should contact Paul Chamberlain for application details.
  • Participants in the Accelerator programs may pitch for a Catalyzing Grant.
  • Funding is not automatic and depends on the program’s review process.

Additional information

  • The program includes both Catalyzing Grants and Start-Up Grants.
  • Catalyzing Grants are intended to help complete a feasibility study and business plan.
  • Start-Up Grants support the launch and establishment of a new employment social enterprise.

Contacts

pchamberlain@uwgt.org

Other components of this program

Explore related funding streams and grants that belong to the same program.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs Program

What is the Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs?

TEF supports the start-up of new employment social enterprises in Peel, Toronto, and York Region. It offers Catalyzing Grants up to $7,500 and Start-Up Grants up to $100,000 over three years for feasibility studies, business plans, and launch costs.

How much funding can be received?

Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs Funds up to $100,000 of admissible expenses.

Who is eligible for the Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs program?

To be eligible for the Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs program, you must: New employment social enterprise project Strong social enterprise idea Located in TEF region

What expenses are eligible under Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs?

Developing early-stage employment social enterprise ideas. Completing feasibility studies and business plans. Launching and establishing new employment social enterprises.

Who can I contact for more information about the Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs?

You can contact Enterprising Non-Profits Toronto, enp-TO (UWGT) by email at pchamberlain@uwgt.org.

Where is the Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs available?

The Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs program is available the province of Ontario.

Is the Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs is a Grant and Funding