Access to Capital
Get repayable financing to launch, expand, or stabilize your Ontario business, sized to your needs, with $150,000 or more available when financing from other sources is insufficient. This government-backed support covers loans, guarantees, or equity investments on commercial terms. You can apply anytime.
Before you spend any money
Decisions are made at the community level by local boards of directors; confirm processing times with your local CFDC.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Is this for you?
- You run a small business or social enterprise in Ontario with a clear plan to start up, expand, or stabilize.
- Your project aims to create or maintain jobs.
- You need business financing that other lenders can't fully cover, whether a smaller loan or $150,000 or more.
Probably not the right fit if
- You are seeking a grant or non-repayable funding, as this program requires repayment or equity.
- You are a large corporation, as this program is exclusively for small businesses and social enterprises.
How much you'd realistically get
Sized to your needs and the local CFDC's lending capacity; financing of $150,000 or more is available when other sources fall short.
What may be supported
- Start-up plans
- Expansion plans
- Stabilization plans
How applying works
Effort: moderateYou must contact your local CFDC directly and present a viable business plan for board review.
- 01Find the CFDC office nearest to you via the 'Find a Local CFDC' link.
- 02Contact the local CFDC office directly.
- 03Prepare your business plan for start-up, expansion, or stabilization.
- 04Demonstrate that financing from other sources is insufficient if seeking $150,000 or more.
- 05Submit your application for review by the local board of directors.
Who to ask: info@cfontario.ca or 1-888-633-2326 (CF Ontario); 1-866-ONT-CFDC (1-866-668-2332) for local CFDCs
Documents commonly required
- Business plan detailing start-up, expansion, or stabilization goals.
- Evidence of job creation or maintenance.
- Proof that other financing sources are insufficient (for $150,000+ tier).
- Confirm specific document requirements with your local CFDC.
What to know before you count on it
- This is repayable financing, not a grant. You will likely repay the money with interest or give up equity.
- You must demonstrate that financing from other sources is insufficient for amounts of $150,000 or more.
- Terms and conditions are determined by local CFDC boards, so specifics vary by location.
- The official page does not list an application fee. Ask your local CFDC before you apply.
What are your odds?
This is not a competition. Approval depends on whether your business plan can work and whether you can repay.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a grant?
No. This is repayable financing, which may include loans, loan guarantees, or equity investments.
Who makes the decision?
Local Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) make decisions at the community level through their boards of directors.
What is the minimum amount?
There's no fixed minimum. Loans are sized to your needs and the local CFDC's lending capacity, and financing of $150,000 or more is available when financing from other sources is insufficient.
Is there an application fee?
The official page does not list an application fee. Ask your local CFDC before you apply.
More funding by what it pays for
What you can combine it with
You must show that other financing sources are insufficient for the $150,000+ tier.
Worth reading before you apply
Get alerted when this changes
Programs open and close, budgets run out, rules change. We send one short email when something changes that matters for this program.
Page last updated ; status and deadline checked . Source: official program page.