An independent registry of Northern Ontario funding Data updated Aug 17, 2026 · CC-BY-4.0
Northern Ontario Grants
Open, continuous intake Repayable

CFDC Business Loans (Community Futures Program)

by Community Futures Development Corporations of Northern Ontario

Also known as: Community Futures loans · Community Futures Development Corporation financing

Northern Ontario's 24 FedNor-funded Community Futures Development Corporations lend to small and medium businesses and social enterprises that can't get full financing elsewhere, typically up to $300,000 on commercial terms (caps vary by CFDC), with six Northwestern Ontario CFDCs pooling loans up to $600,000. Decisions are made by a local volunteer board after bank-style due diligence on your business plan. Intake is continuous; start with your local CFDC's loans officer. Free business counselling comes with it.

Amount
Up to $300,000

sncfdc.org · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Reported, verification pending

Instrument
Loan (repayable)
Status
Open, continuous intake no fixed deadline; approvals on the funder's cycle
Who qualifies
Small business, medium business, social enterprise
  • Business must be in the local CFDC's service area (24 CFDCs cover Northern Ontario)
  • Project must create or maintain local jobs
  • Applicant needs appropriate unencumbered investment or sufficient existing equity, CFDCs do not finance 100% of a project
  • Viable business with reasonable expectations of repayment; used when financing from other sources is insufficient

fednor.canada.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

Repayment structure

{"repayable":"Fully repayable on commercial terms (loans, loan guarantees or equity investments)","non_repayable":"None, CFDC financing is not a grant"}

sncfdc.org · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

How conditional contributions and repayable splits work

Application process

Call first. This funder expects contact with a program officer before you apply.

  1. Find your local CFDC (cfontario.ca/directory)
  2. Discuss the project with a loans officer
  3. Submit a comprehensive business plan
  4. CFDC due diligence (comparable to a bank's)
  5. Local volunteer board approves; funds advance

sncfdc.org · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

Common questions

Is a CFDC loan a grant?

No, it is fully repayable financing on commercial terms (loans, loan guarantees or equity investments). The advantage is flexibility and local decision-making for projects banks won't fully finance, plus free business advisory support.

How much can I borrow?

Commonly up to $300,000, though each of the 24 CFDCs sets its own cap. In Northwestern Ontario, six CFDCs jointly lend up to $600,000 through the Northwestern Ontario Investment Pool.

Do I need my own money in the project?

Yes. CFDCs do not finance 100% of a project, expect to show unencumbered investment or existing equity, plus security, working capital access, tax compliance and a reasonable credit history.

How long does approval take?

Local loans move at each CFDC's pace; larger pooled loans quote 4-10 weeks from receipt of a comprehensive business plan.

Apply

Apply on the funder’s site and confirm current terms there:

www.cfontario.ca