Enhance Your Community Program
Get up to 50% of eligible costs back for community projects in Northern Ontario, capped at $2,000,000 or $1,000,000 for social enterprises. This is a reimbursement grant, so you must pay upfront and secure approval before spending. Applications are open.
“Funding is provided as a conditional contribution of up to 50% of eligible costs or $2,000,000, whichever is less.”
From the official program page
Before you spend any money
Approval must come BEFORE you spend or start; money spent early usually does not count, and the intake is ongoing but budget-limited.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Is this for you?
- You are a municipality, Indigenous community, not-for-profit, Local Services Board, or eligible social enterprise located in Northern Ontario.
- You own or lease the land or building you intend to improve for community or economic development purposes.
- You have the cash flow to pay 100% of the project costs upfront and wait for reimbursement after approval and completion.
Probably not the right fit if
- You are a standard for-profit small business that does not meet the strict social enterprise criteria, such as being a cooperative without dividend flow or a 100% community-owned Indigenous entity reinvesting all profits.
- You need funding for core municipal infrastructure like roads, bridges, water, sewer, or fire halls, which are explicitly excluded.
- You need funding for operating expenses such as salaries, rent, marketing, travel, or routine maintenance, which are not eligible costs.
How much you'd realistically get
For example, on a $10,000 eligible project, that's up to about $5,000 back.
Up to 50% of eligible costs, with a maximum cap of $2,000,000 for most applicants or $1,000,000 for eligible social enterprises.
What may be supported
- Incremental improvements, repairs, or renovations to extend the useful life of capital assets (e.g., social/recreational facilities, municipal assets, community halls).
- Implementation of priority economic development initiatives.
- Business retention and attraction strategies.
- Construction or renovation of capital assets that support community economic development.
- Airport-related projects that demonstrate economic impact and improve existing infrastructure capacity/efficiency.
What's excluded or restricted
- Core infrastructure
- Administrative space or office buildings
- Residential projects
- Operating expenses
- Routine and ongoing maintenance
- Rolling stock
- Stand-alone equipment and furniture purchases
- Stand-alone studies
- fire halls and related fire service activities
How applying works
Effort: involvedYou must create an Ontario.ca login, submit a detailed application via the NOHFC Portal, and likely consult a Northern Development Advisor before applying to ensure eligibility and alignment with strategic initiatives.
- 01Verify your eligibility: Ensure you are a municipality, Indigenous community, not-for-profit, Local Services Board, or eligible social enterprise in Northern Ontario.
- 02Consult a Northern Development Advisor: Contact NOHFC for advice or to discuss eligibility before applying to ensure your project aligns with strategic initiatives.
- 03Create an Ontario.ca login: You will need this to access the application portal.
- 04Submit application online: Complete the application via the NOHFC Portal at https://myportal.nohfc.ca/en/.
- 05Wait for Board approval: Do not spend money until you receive formal approval, as early spending usually does not count.
- 06Execute project and claim reimbursement: Pay the full costs, complete the project, and submit claims for reimbursement according to the conditional contribution terms.
Who to ask: asknohfc@ontario.ca; 70 Foster Drive, Suite 200, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 6V8; Contact form at https://nohfc.ca/contact/; Inquiry form at https://myportal.nohfc.ca/en/public/inquiry/
Documents commonly required
- Proof of location in Northern Ontario (verified via postal code).
- Proof of ownership or lease of the buildings, facilities, or land being improved.
- Detailed project plan outlining eligible costs and economic/community benefits.
- For social enterprises: Documentation proving cooperative structure (no dividend flow) or 100% community ownership and profit reinvestment.
What to know before you count on it
- You pay the full cost first: this is a reimbursement grant, so you need significant cash flow to cover the entire project before getting your share back.
- Strict eligibility for social enterprises: if you are a for-profit, you must be a cooperative without dividend flow or a 100% community-owned Indigenous entity reinvesting all profits; standard private businesses do not qualify.
- Clawback risk: funds may be partially or fully repayable if terms are not met, and you may have to reimburse NOHFC if the financed assets are sold within three years of project completion.
- Budget limits: while intake is ongoing, these programs are often budget-limited; if the pool runs out, you may have to wait for the next round even if you qualify.
What are your odds?
Approval is not guaranteed; it depends on budget availability, strict adherence to eligible cost definitions, and alignment with NOHFC strategic priorities. Apply early, before the budget runs out.
Frequently asked questions
Can a private restaurant or retail store apply?
Generally no. Only municipalities, Indigenous communities, not-for-profits, Local Services Boards, and specific social enterprises (cooperatives or 100% community-owned Indigenous for-profits) are eligible. Standard private businesses do not qualify.
What costs are excluded?
Core infrastructure (roads, bridges, water, sewer), administrative offices, residential projects, operating expenses (salaries, rent, marketing, travel), routine maintenance, rolling stock, stand-alone equipment, furniture, and studies are excluded. Fire halls are also excluded effective Feb 3, 2026.
Do I get the money before I start the project?
No. This is a conditional contribution. You must pay the full cost upfront and then claim your share back after approval and completion. Approval must be secured before you spend.
Is the grant taxable?
The reimbursed grant portion is generally taxable income. Ask your accountant for specific advice regarding your entity type.
More funding by what it pays for
Funding for Storefronts and Facades
Grants and loans that may help pay for storefront and facade work.
Funding for Accessibility
Grants for ramps, doors and washrooms may help pay for accessibility improvements.
Funding for Energy Efficiency
Grants and loans may help pay for lighting, HVAC and refrigeration improvements.
Funding for Kitchen Energy
Rebates to help restaurants reduce kitchen energy use and costs.
What you can combine it with
Projects cannot receive support from another federal or provincial program for the same costs unless NOHFC provides additional assistance after that program's decision, at NOHFC's discretion.
Related programs
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.