Funding Sources
Ontario Business Grants
This is an excellent place to start as it gives you a drop down menu to find all the various grants that are available.
ontariobusinessgrants.com. The Ontario Business Grants website will provide you with a drop down set of criteria to complete to help you find the type of funding, loans, grants that will suit your needs. HERE IS THE LINK
Examples of what you can find….
Female Entrepreneur Grants (2021) – there are currently 18 progams for Women-Owned Businesses – READ MORE
Ontario Startup Grants (2021) – there are currently 57 Start Up Business Grants for Ontario Enterepreneurs – READ MORE
Artist Grants (2021) – there are currently 171 Funding Programs for your Creative-Sector Business – READ MORE
Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP)
Application window closes September 2nd
The way in which Processors can apply for cost-share funding has changed.
As of August 5th, 2021, processors can find information about available funding and how to apply at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affair’s website: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/cap/index.htm
TELUS – Open until Oct. 31, 2021
We’re committing $1M to champion small business.
TELUS Business is a proud supporter of Canadian business. That’s why we’re committing $1M in funding, local advertising and mentorship to showcase their incredible stories and community impact.
Apply for your chance to receive $10,000 and more
We’re championing small business owners with incredible stories of resilience and community impact. Share your story with us for your chance to receive funding, local advertising and mentorship. Selected recipients will be announced weekly until October 31, 2021. See application rules for details.
ONTARIO RESTAURANT & BAR SUPPORT FUND
Applications are currently open for the Ontario Restaurant & Bar Support Fund. To qualify for the Restaurant & Bar Support Fund you will need to show that your food and beverage small establishment:
- employs 3 to 20 full-time staff and has less than $4 million in annual revenue pre-COVID-19;
- is based in Ontario and has been operating since January 2019;
- is owned and operated by a resident of Ontario;
- has a valid AGCO liquor license;
- has been closed (for in-house service) due to business restrictions relating to COVID-19;
- has been approved for one of the following government programs:
- Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS)
- Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
- Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS)
- Ontario Small Business Support Grant
- or clearly provide financial statements showing 50% decline in revenue (comparable to 2019);
- demonstrate the need for funds due to decreased revenue and to cover urgent expenses such as rent/wages/inventory/live entertainment (once opened);
- will be open to the public (in-house service) at the time funds are granted; and,
- is committed to remain open.
CANADA HIRING RECOVER PROGRAM (CHRP)
For businesses that have been hit hardest by the pandemic, hiring the workers they need to grow is a cost they may worry about taking on. The federal government wants these businesses to be able to recover and grow by hiring more people.
The Hiring Program will help eligible employers hire the workers they need so that the economy can fully recover more quickly and without leaving people behind. The program will be available through the Canada Revenue Agency, just like the Wage Subsidy and Rent Subsidy. The application portal will open following Royal Assent of Bill C-30, the Budget Implementation Act.
It is estimated that this program will cost $595 million in 2021-22.
Ontario Helping 100,000 Workers Train for In-Demand Jobs
The Ontario government is investing $5.8 million in free online training to help 100,000 workers gain the skills they need to find good jobs and restart their careers. Courses will focus on building skills most in-demand by employers in fields such as information technology, finance and business administration.
PARO
The PARO program offers a grant/loan program. The first level is $1000 (50% grant that is not paid back, 50% paid back), the second level is $2000 (50% grant and 50% paid back). The program is managed through PARO who provide the grant and LAMBAC who manage the loan portion. For Manitoulin Island contact barbara.baker@sumthing.ca 705-368-3114
NOTE: As of June 28th, my company has been hired under a 1 year contract with the PARO organization in the role of Business Growth Advisor. My goal with this position is to be able to identify and promote all of the things that can be offered to WOMEN through the PARO network. I have always promoted PARO, now I will have more details on all of the services, other than just Peer Circles.
BIZ Growth Fund (a funding partnership between PARO and FedNor.
NOTE: 4 WEBINARS MUST BE ATTENDED PRIOR TO APPLYING FOR GRANTS
$5,000 Stream 1: Growth, Scale-up and Recovery. If you are an existing women owned business in Northern Ontario and are looking to grow, scale-up, or expand BizGrowth may be for you. Businesses may have difficulty moving their business to the next level and this program is designed to help businesses increase and capitalize on market opportunities to grow and expand. The purpose is to assist businesses to expand into new markets, implement innovative plans, including recovery from Covid19 Pandemic impacts. For this stream, applications will be accepted until March 31, 2022 or until all funds have been committed.
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IFund Women
IFundWomen is the go-to funding marketplace for women-owned businesses and the people who want to support them with access to capital, coaching, and connections.
We offer immediate access to capital through a premium online fundraising experience, access to small business grants from corporate partners, expert business coaching on all the topics entrepreneurs need to know about, and a network of women business owners that sparks confidence, accelerates knowledge and ignites action.
NOW
Northern Ontario Women – NOW program A Project to stimulate women-owned and women-led business start-ups and scale-ups by increasing access to business development supports throughout the Northern Ontario region. – http://lambac.org/now/ . This is a grant program that has an open periods that you must work within, the current intake closes November 30th. Sue Whynott is the liaison and her email is now@lambac.org
DIGITAL MAINSTREET PROGRAM
Programs for Ontario Businesses As part of a partnership between the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario, Digital Main Street is proud to announce three new programs to support businesses across Ontario. Digitalmainstreet.ca
LAMBAC
LAMBAC. The contact person is Carolyn and she can be reached at 705-282-3215. Email carolyn@lambac.org. LAMBAC is a Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) sponsored by Innovation Science And Economic Development / FedNor, created to support small and medium-sized business and community economic development. LAMBAC supports businesses through small business loans and resources. The organization administers local investment funds to help finance new or existing small and medium sized business and social enterprises for start-up, expansion or stabilization that will maintain or create jobs. LAMBAC is a one-stop source for information and guidance on starting, expanding and operating a business in the LaCloche Manitoulin region. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or existing business owner, we are here to help.
FEDNOR
FedNor to check out their programs. FedNor is the Government of Canada’s economic development organization for Northern Ontario. Through its programs and services, and through its financial support of projects that lead to job creation and economic growth, FedNor works with businesses and community partners to build a stronger Northern Ontario. The contact person is Arik Theijsmeijer and he works out of the LAMBAC office in Gore Bay and he can be reached at 705-665-3185 or 1-877-333-6673 arik.theijsmeijer@canada.ca
NOHFC (Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation)
Nohfc The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) was established in 1988 with a mandate to promote and stimulate economic development initiatives in Northern Ontario by providing financial assistance to projects that stabilize, diversify and foster the economic growth and diversification of the region. Contact person is Kristen Luoma (Gore Bay office) Kristin.luoma@ontario.ca 705-282-1429
Blue Sky Net BTIF Program
BTIF is a FedNor-funded initiative which assists businesses develop their capacity for e-business and in effect their ability to compete and thrive in the digital age. Blue Sky Net, through BTIF, is committed to helping small-to-medium-sized businesses in the Blue Sky Net region within Northeastern Ontario who are looking to enhance their capacity for business technology and their ability for technology adoption. The BTIF grant helps to alleviate the costs of implementing innovative technology solutions for your business that will help take you to the next level.
BDC – Business Development Bank
Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)
If your business has been directly or indirectly impacted by COVID-19, you may be eligible to access these credit options:
- Up to $60,000 interest-free loans through the Canada Emergency Business Account
- Up to $12.5 million for operational cash flow through the BDC Co-Lending Program
- Junior loans ranging between $12.5 million and $60 million through the BDC Mid-Market Financing Program
Indigenous Specific Funding
Wakenagun Community Futures Development Corporation
Description:
Wakenagun CFDC’s Investment Fund – “Women in Business” Loan provides funding for women to enter into business ownership. Funds may be used for new or existing businesses.
Indigenous women in the Wakenagun catchment area of Northern Ontario who have a great idea for a new business are in luck.
The Wakenagun Community Futures Development Corporation will give you up to $150,000 to start your women-owned or led business as long as you have 10% cash equity you can put up.
Take advantage of this rare opportunity because while you will, of course, have to pay interest (prime plus between 2% and 7%) and fees, you have up to 5 years to pay it back, and you can pay it back early with no penalty.
There are no deadlines to apply, but you will have to submit these documents along with your application form, so be ready with them
-a Statement of Intent form
-a project description including estimated costs
-a business plan
-a Statement of Personal Assets and Liabilities
Just fill out their contact form to apply or for more questions. You can also call them at (705) 658-4428 or 1-800-989-4850 toll free.
Waubetek
waubetek.com. The Waubetek Business Development Corporation is an Aboriginal-owned and controlled organization that delivers business financing and economic development services to First Nations and Aboriginal entrepreneurs in North-Eastern Ontario
Indigenous Tourism Ontario
Tourism Relief Fund
A minimum of $50 million over a two-year period will be invested in Indigenous tourism initiatives through the Govt. of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund (TRF).
Funding will be delivered by Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) directly to tourism businesses and organizations to help aid in the creation of new tourism experiences, or enhance existing ones. In Ontario, the RDA administering the funds to Northern Ontario businesses is FedNor.
NACCA, the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association
NACCA.CA. NACCA, the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, is a network of over 50 Aboriginal Financial Institutions (AFIs) dedicated to stimulating economic growth for all Indigenous people in Canada.
Indigenous Youth (or age Specific) Funding
Youth Opportunity Fund – Deadline September 29, 2021
The Youth Opportunity Fund (YOF) provides grants and capacity-building to grassroots groups and collaboratives to improve the wellbeing of youth and families with a focus on Indigenous and Black communities. YOF provides three grant streams that aim to support projects improving the wellbeing of youth, and families facing systemic barriers:
- Youth Innovations Stream : invests in the work of grassroots groups that are youth-led or youth-adult partnerships by funding projects that test an idea or scale a successful project. Expression of Interest Deadline: September 29, 2021.
- Family Innovations Stream: invests in the work of grassroots groups led by parents, guardians and/or caregivers to test or scale culturally anchored projects that empower, support, and strengthen families. Expression of Interest Deadline: September 29, 2021.
- System Innovations Stream: supports collaboratives that are strengthening the quality and responsiveness of systems so they work better for youth facing systemic barriers. Grant Application Deadline: September 29, 2021.
To learn more about the YOF and other granting opportunities, visit the YOF Website or connect with YOF staff at yof@otf.ca.
Futurepreneur
INDIGENOUS ENTREPRENEURS AGED 18-39
At Futurpreneur Canada, we support Indigenous entrepreneurs aged 18-39, helping them launch or buy their own business. With up to $60,000* in financing, an expert mentor for up to two years, and access to resources, we’re here to help young entrepreneurs bring their business plan to life.
Take the first step in turning your dream into reality.