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Toronto Enterprise Fund (TEF) - Catalyze New ESEs - Ontario - Canada
Open

Record updated:

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
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

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 2

Activities funded

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

Sources and recorded changes

Record updated

A captured source change or record update does not confirm eligibility. Check the funder’s current rules before applying.

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
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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?

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.

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