Who can help you apply
36 local organizations deliver or support funding across Northern Ontario, including all 22 Community Futures Development Corporations. Their advice is free. They are not this site, and we take no fee from any of them.
Most Northern Ontario funding is applied for through, or with help from, a local office rather than a provincial or federal web form. A Community Futures corporation lends its own money and coaches applicants. A Small Business Enterprise Centre delivers provincial starter programs. An economic development office knows the municipal incentives its own council passed. If you are unsure which program fits, this list is usually a better first call than any application form.
Algoma District
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Community Development Corporation of Sault Ste. Marie & Area
CFDC
CFDC providing business financing, a Small Business Resource Centre for counselling, and downtown development loans in the Sault Ste. Marie area.705-942-9000
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Destination Northern Ontario
RTO
RTO13 coordinating and investing in tourism product development, marketing, workforce development, investment attraction and partnership programs for Northern Ontario tourism operators.
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East Algoma Community Futures Development Corporation
CFDC
CFDC providing small-business loans, counselling and community economic development across East Algoma.705-356-1152
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Millworks Centre for Entrepreneurship
SBEC
Small Business Enterprise Centre delivering workshops, training, business planning help and grant programs including Starter Company Plus and Summer Company.705-251-3500
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Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF)
IFI
Indigenous Financial Institution providing business loans, micro-loans, blended grant/loan financing and business advisory support to Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities across Northern Ontario.807-623-5397
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PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise
IFI
Not-for-profit social enterprise providing women entrepreneurs with financing (PARO Funding, WEOC Loan Fund), peer lending circles, business counselling, training and networking.807-625-0328
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Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation
EDO
Economic development corporation for Sault Ste. Marie, investment attraction, business development services and funding navigation.
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Superior East Community Futures Development Corporation
CFDC
CFDC providing small-business loans and counselling for the Superior East communities.705-856-1105
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Wakenagun Community Futures Development Corporation
CFDC
CFDC providing business financing, counselling and community strategic-planning support for the Mushkegowuk communities.705-658-4428
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Waubetek Business Development Corporation
IFI
Indigenous Financial Institution providing business loans, micro-loans, e-commerce and community economic grants, and business planning support to Indigenous entrepreneurs in Northeast Ontario.705-285-4275
Cochrane District
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Destination Northern Ontario
RTO
RTO13 coordinating and investing in tourism product development, marketing, workforce development, investment attraction and partnership programs for Northern Ontario tourism operators.
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Kirkland & District Community Development Corporation
CFDC
CFDC providing business counselling, small-business financing and community development for the Kirkland Lake district.705-567-3331
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Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF)
IFI
Indigenous Financial Institution providing business loans, micro-loans, blended grant/loan financing and business advisory support to Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities across Northern Ontario.807-623-5397
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Nord-Aski Regional Economic Development Corporation
CFDC
CFDC providing business investment/financing and economic development consulting for the Hearst region.705-362-7355
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North Claybelt Community Futures Development Corporation
CFDC
CFDC providing business loans, counselling and community development along the north Claybelt Hwy 11 corridor.705-337-1407
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PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise
IFI
Not-for-profit social enterprise providing women entrepreneurs with financing (PARO Funding, WEOC Loan Fund), peer lending circles, business counselling, training and networking.807-625-0328
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The Business Enterprise Centre (Timmins)
SBEC
Small Business Enterprise Centre providing one-on-one consultations, business registration/licensing help, business plan review, workshops and referrals for Timmins-area entrepreneurs.705-360-2656
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The Venture Centre
CFDC
CFDC providing repayable business loans through its Local Investment Fund plus business counselling and community economic planning for the Timmins area.705-360-5800
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Timmins Economic Development Corporation (TEDC)
EDO
Municipal economic development corporation for Timmins, investment attraction, business support and community development, and host of the Business Enterprise Centre.
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Wakenagun Community Futures Development Corporation
CFDC
CFDC providing business financing, counselling and community strategic-planning support for the Mushkegowuk communities.705-658-4428
Greater Sudbury (single-tier census division)
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City of Greater Sudbury Economic Development (Invest Sudbury)
EDO
Municipal economic development office for Greater Sudbury, investment attraction, site selection, business expansion support and funding navigation.
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Destination Northern Ontario
RTO
RTO13 coordinating and investing in tourism product development, marketing, workforce development, investment attraction and partnership programs for Northern Ontario tourism operators.
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Nickel Basin Federal Development Corporation
CFDC
CFDC-type federal development corporation administering community loan funds and financing guidance for businesses in and around Greater Sudbury.705-673-9802
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Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF)
IFI
Indigenous Financial Institution providing business loans, micro-loans, blended grant/loan financing and business advisory support to Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities across Northern Ontario.807-623-5397
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PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise
IFI
Not-for-profit social enterprise providing women entrepreneurs with financing (PARO Funding, WEOC Loan Fund), peer lending circles, business counselling, training and networking.807-625-0328
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Regional Business Centre (Greater Sudbury)
SBEC
Small Business Enterprise Centre providing free one-on-one consultations, registration/licensing guidance and provincial programs (Starter Company Plus, Summer Company) for the Sudbury region.705-688-7582
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Waubetek Business Development Corporation
IFI
Indigenous Financial Institution providing business loans, micro-loans, e-commerce and community economic grants, and business planning support to Indigenous entrepreneurs in Northeast Ontario.705-285-4275
Kenora District
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Chukuni Communities Development Corporation
CFDC
CFDC providing business loans and support to entrepreneurs in the Red Lake and Ear Falls area.807-727-3275
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Destination Northern Ontario
RTO
RTO13 coordinating and investing in tourism product development, marketing, workforce development, investment attraction and partnership programs for Northern Ontario tourism operators.
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Lake of the Woods Business Incentive Corporation (LOWBIC)
CFDC
CFDC providing lending services and business development guidance for the Kenora and Lake of the Woods area.807-467-4640
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Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF)
IFI
Indigenous Financial Institution providing business loans, micro-loans, blended grant/loan financing and business advisory support to Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities across Northern Ontario.807-623-5397
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PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise
IFI
Not-for-profit social enterprise providing women entrepreneurs with financing (PARO Funding, WEOC Loan Fund), peer lending circles, business counselling, training and networking.807-625-0328
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Patricia Area Community Endeavours (PACE)
CFDC
CFDC providing small-business financing, consulting, mentorship matching and monthly workshops across the Patricia region.807-221-3293
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Wakenagun Community Futures Development Corporation
CFDC
CFDC providing business financing, counselling and community strategic-planning support for the Mushkegowuk communities.705-658-4428
Manitoulin District
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Destination Northern Ontario
RTO
RTO13 coordinating and investing in tourism product development, marketing, workforce development, investment attraction and partnership programs for Northern Ontario tourism operators.
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LaCloche Manitoulin Business Assistance Corporation (LAMBAC)
CFDC
CFDC providing small-business loans, counselling and community economic development for the LaCloche–Manitoulin region.705-282-3215
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Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF)
IFI
Indigenous Financial Institution providing business loans, micro-loans, blended grant/loan financing and business advisory support to Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities across Northern Ontario.807-623-5397
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PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise
IFI
Not-for-profit social enterprise providing women entrepreneurs with financing (PARO Funding, WEOC Loan Fund), peer lending circles, business counselling, training and networking.807-625-0328
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Regional Business Centre (Greater Sudbury)
SBEC
Small Business Enterprise Centre providing free one-on-one consultations, registration/licensing guidance and provincial programs (Starter Company Plus, Summer Company) for the Sudbury region.705-688-7582
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Waubetek Business Development Corporation
IFI
Indigenous Financial Institution providing business loans, micro-loans, e-commerce and community economic grants, and business planning support to Indigenous entrepreneurs in Northeast Ontario.705-285-4275
Nipissing District
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City of North Bay Economic Development
EDO
Municipal economic development office for North Bay, business attraction, start/grow-a-business navigation and site development support.
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Destination Northern Ontario
RTO
RTO13 coordinating and investing in tourism product development, marketing, workforce development, investment attraction and partnership programs for Northern Ontario tourism operators.
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Economic Partners Sudbury East / West Nipissing Inc.
CFDC
CFDC providing loans, loan guarantees, equity investments and business development programs for Sudbury East and West Nipissing.705-753-5450
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NECO Community Futures Development Corporation
CFDC
CFDC providing financial assistance, counselling, training and advisory services for small business in East Nipissing and East Parry Sound.705-476-8822
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Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF)
IFI
Indigenous Financial Institution providing business loans, micro-loans, blended grant/loan financing and business advisory support to Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities across Northern Ontario.807-623-5397
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PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise
IFI
Not-for-profit social enterprise providing women entrepreneurs with financing (PARO Funding, WEOC Loan Fund), peer lending circles, business counselling, training and networking.807-625-0328
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The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound
SBEC
Small Business Enterprise Centre providing free business advisory services and entrepreneurship programs including Starter Company Plus, Summer Company and the Newcomer Entrepreneurship Program.705-474-0400
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Waubetek Business Development Corporation
IFI
Indigenous Financial Institution providing business loans, micro-loans, e-commerce and community economic grants, and business planning support to Indigenous entrepreneurs in Northeast Ontario.705-285-4275
Parry Sound District
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Destination Northern Ontario
RTO
RTO13 coordinating and investing in tourism product development, marketing, workforce development, investment attraction and partnership programs for Northern Ontario tourism operators.
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NECO Community Futures Development Corporation
CFDC
CFDC providing financial assistance, counselling, training and advisory services for small business in East Nipissing and East Parry Sound.705-476-8822
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Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF)
IFI
Indigenous Financial Institution providing business loans, micro-loans, blended grant/loan financing and business advisory support to Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities across Northern Ontario.807-623-5397
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PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise
IFI
Not-for-profit social enterprise providing women entrepreneurs with financing (PARO Funding, WEOC Loan Fund), peer lending circles, business counselling, training and networking.807-625-0328
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Parry Sound Area Community Business & Development Centre
CFDC
CFDC providing repayable business loans, information counselling/referrals and community economic development in the Parry Sound area.705-746-4455
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The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound
SBEC
Small Business Enterprise Centre providing free business advisory services and entrepreneurship programs including Starter Company Plus, Summer Company and the Newcomer Entrepreneurship Program.705-474-0400
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Waubetek Business Development Corporation
IFI
Indigenous Financial Institution providing business loans, micro-loans, e-commerce and community economic grants, and business planning support to Indigenous entrepreneurs in Northeast Ontario.705-285-4275
Rainy River District
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Atikokan Economic Development Corporation
CFDC
CFDC providing business development loans, advisory services, mentoring and business planning for the Atikokan area.807-597-2757
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Destination Northern Ontario
RTO
RTO13 coordinating and investing in tourism product development, marketing, workforce development, investment attraction and partnership programs for Northern Ontario tourism operators.
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Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF)
IFI
Indigenous Financial Institution providing business loans, micro-loans, blended grant/loan financing and business advisory support to Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities across Northern Ontario.807-623-5397
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PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise
IFI
Not-for-profit social enterprise providing women entrepreneurs with financing (PARO Funding, WEOC Loan Fund), peer lending circles, business counselling, training and networking.807-625-0328
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Rainy River Future Development Corporation
CFDC
CFDC assisting entrepreneurs with financing and counselling to start, expand or purchase a business in the Rainy River District.807-274-3276
Sudbury District (excl. Greater Sudbury)
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Destination Northern Ontario
RTO
RTO13 coordinating and investing in tourism product development, marketing, workforce development, investment attraction and partnership programs for Northern Ontario tourism operators.
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Economic Partners Sudbury East / West Nipissing Inc.
CFDC
CFDC providing loans, loan guarantees, equity investments and business development programs for Sudbury East and West Nipissing.705-753-5450
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LaCloche Manitoulin Business Assistance Corporation (LAMBAC)
CFDC
CFDC providing small-business loans, counselling and community economic development for the LaCloche–Manitoulin region.705-282-3215
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Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF)
IFI
Indigenous Financial Institution providing business loans, micro-loans, blended grant/loan financing and business advisory support to Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities across Northern Ontario.807-623-5397
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PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise
IFI
Not-for-profit social enterprise providing women entrepreneurs with financing (PARO Funding, WEOC Loan Fund), peer lending circles, business counselling, training and networking.807-625-0328
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Regional Business Centre (Greater Sudbury)
SBEC
Small Business Enterprise Centre providing free one-on-one consultations, registration/licensing guidance and provincial programs (Starter Company Plus, Summer Company) for the Sudbury region.705-688-7582
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Superior East Community Futures Development Corporation
CFDC
CFDC providing small-business loans and counselling for the Superior East communities.705-856-1105
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The Venture Centre
CFDC
CFDC providing repayable business loans through its Local Investment Fund plus business counselling and community economic planning for the Timmins area.705-360-5800
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Wakenagun Community Futures Development Corporation
CFDC
CFDC providing business financing, counselling and community strategic-planning support for the Mushkegowuk communities.705-658-4428
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Waubetek Business Development Corporation
IFI
Indigenous Financial Institution providing business loans, micro-loans, e-commerce and community economic grants, and business planning support to Indigenous entrepreneurs in Northeast Ontario.705-285-4275
Thunder Bay District
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Atikokan Economic Development Corporation
CFDC
CFDC providing business development loans, advisory services, mentoring and business planning for the Atikokan area.807-597-2757
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Destination Northern Ontario
RTO
RTO13 coordinating and investing in tourism product development, marketing, workforce development, investment attraction and partnership programs for Northern Ontario tourism operators.
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Greenstone Economic Development Corporation
CFDC
CFDC delivering business loans, counselling and community economic development for the Greenstone region.807-854-2273
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Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF)
IFI
Indigenous Financial Institution providing business loans, micro-loans, blended grant/loan financing and business advisory support to Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities across Northern Ontario.807-623-5397
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PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise
IFI
Not-for-profit social enterprise providing women entrepreneurs with financing (PARO Funding, WEOC Loan Fund), peer lending circles, business counselling, training and networking.807-625-0328
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Superior North CFDC
CFDC
CFDC administering a local investment fund for small-business start-up, expansion and stabilization plus one-on-one advisory services along Lake Superior's north shore.807-825-4505
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Thunder Bay & District Entrepreneur Centre (CEDC)
SBEC
Small Business Enterprise Centre providing free confidential business counselling, workshops, and provincial grant programs including Starter Company Plus and Summer Company.807-625-3960
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Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC)
EDO
Municipal economic development organization for Thunder Bay, investment attraction, business retention and expansion, and navigation to funding and support programs.807-625-3960
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Thunder Bay Ventures
CFDC
CFDC providing repayable small-business loans and business support for start-ups and expansions in the Thunder Bay area.807-768-6650
Timiskaming District
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Destination Northern Ontario
RTO
RTO13 coordinating and investing in tourism product development, marketing, workforce development, investment attraction and partnership programs for Northern Ontario tourism operators.
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Kirkland & District Community Development Corporation
CFDC
CFDC providing business counselling, small-business financing and community development for the Kirkland Lake district.705-567-3331
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Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund (NADF)
IFI
Indigenous Financial Institution providing business loans, micro-loans, blended grant/loan financing and business advisory support to Indigenous entrepreneurs and communities across Northern Ontario.807-623-5397
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PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise
IFI
Not-for-profit social enterprise providing women entrepreneurs with financing (PARO Funding, WEOC Loan Fund), peer lending circles, business counselling, training and networking.807-625-0328
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South Temiskaming Community Futures Development Corporation
CFDC
CFDC providing repayable business financing, business planning and counselling/referral services in South Temiskaming.705-672-3021