An independent registry of Northern Ontario funding Data updated Oct 1, 2026 · CC-BY-4.0
Northern Ontario Grants
Open, continuous intake Repayable

MVDF Business Financing

by Métis Voyageur Development Fund

Also known as: Métis Voyageur Development Fund financing

MVDF lends up to $1.5 million per business (or related businesses) to Ontario companies at least 50% Métis-owned, at preferential rates with business-development support. These are loans, not grants, personal guarantees required, equity set case-by-case; all sectors, for-profit only, province-wide including every Northern Ontario district. Current intake status is uncertain: the official site offers applications by e-mail on request, but some secondary directories list the fund as closed. Confirm directly with MVDF (613-798-0133) before planning around it.

Amount
Up to $1,500,000 Loans per business or related businesses; preferential rates vs commercial lenders This award range, $1,500,000, against every tracked amount from $1,000 to $500,000,000, on a logarithmic scale.

Against all tracked amounts, $1,000 to $500,000,000, logarithmic.

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

preferential financing and with business development support up to $1,500,000 per business or related businesses

Instrument
Loan (repayable)
Status
Open, continuous intake no fixed deadline; approvals on the funder's cycle
Your share
Equity requirements determined case-by-case with flexibility; personal guarantees required

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

Who qualifies
Businesses 50%+ Indigenous ownership
  • for-profit-business
  • At least one owner must be Métis and hold 50% or more of the business
  • Business must reside or operate in Ontario (province-wide, all Northern Ontario districts eligible)
  • Not-for-profits excluded

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

Where
Algoma District · Cochrane District · Greater Sudbury (single-tier census division) · Kenora District · Manitoulin District · Nipissing District · Parry Sound District · Rainy River District · Sudbury District (excl. Greater Sudbury) · Thunder Bay District · Timiskaming District · District Municipality of Muskoka11 of 11 Northern Ontario districts are eligible for this program.Algoma District: eligibleCochrane District: eligibleGreater Sudbury (single-tier census division): eligibleKenora District: eligibleManitoulin District: eligibleNipissing District: eligibleParry Sound District: eligibleRainy River District: eligibleSudbury District (excl. Greater Sudbury): eligibleThunder Bay District: eligibleTimiskaming District: eligible

11 of 11 Northern Ontario districts are eligible for this program. A filled dot is eligible, an outline is not.

Built for
Indigenous entrepreneurs & businesses Small business, expansion Startups & new entrepreneurs

How do you apply?

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

  1. Contact MVDF to request an application by e-mail
  2. Submit application with business plan and financials
  3. Underwriting; personal guarantees required; equity set case-by-case

mvdf.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Uncertain: confirm with funder

Common questions

Does MVDF give grants?

No, MVDF provides loans (up to $1.5M per business or related businesses) at preferential rates with business development support, not non-repayable grants.

Who qualifies for MVDF financing?

For-profit businesses residing or operating anywhere in Ontario where at least one Métis owner holds 50% or more of the business. All industries and sectors are supported; not-for-profits are excluded.

Is MVDF currently accepting applications?

Uncertain as of 2026-08-17. The official site says the team will provide an application by e-mail, but at least one secondary directory lists the fund as closed. Contact info@mvdf.ca or 613-798-0133 to confirm before applying.

Where else could this money come from?

Chosen by what these programs have in common with this one, not by hand. The reason is shown for each, so you can judge whether it holds.

Guides that cover this program

Notes on this record

INTAKE STATUS UNCERTAIN (2026-08-17): mvdf.ca is live and offers applications by e-mail request with no posted pause, but a secondary directory (hellodarwin) titles the program 'Closed, Reopening & Alternatives'. Conflicting signals, verify by phone before relying on this program. MVDF is the designated route for Métis applicants referred away from Waubetek's BFP.

Facts on this page were confirmed by hand rather than by an automated read of the official source.

Apply

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

mvdf.ca