Community programs for small businesses

Ranked programs

5 open, ongoing or intake-based programs, best score first.

1. FedNor - Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP)

   FedNor

   FedNor's NODP funds community economic development, SME business growth and a municipal/First Nation economic-development-officer initiative (CIINO) in Northern Ontario...

   OngoingFederalGrantsUp to $170K
   40

   Strong

2. Community Futures Program (Northern Ontario)

   FedNor via Community Futures Development Corporations

   CFDCs provide community planning, business information and planning services, and access to capital for SMEs and social enterprises in Northern Ontario.

   OngoingFederalLoans
   34

   Worth a look

3. Community Futures Program (southern Ontario, FedDev Ontario-funded CFDCs)

   FedDev Ontario via local Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs)

   FedDev Ontario funds Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) in rural southern Ontario that provide business loans, business services and community economic...

   OngoingFederalLoans
   34

   Worth a look

4. Enabling Accessibility Fund - Express Workplace Accessibility Grant (EWAG)

   Employment and Social Development Canada (Service Canada)

   Funds immediate workplace accessibility updates that support hiring, retention or continued employment of persons with disabilities. Projects can remove barriers through...

   OpenFederalGrantsUp to $50K
   34

   Worth a look

5. Rural Ontario Development (ROD) Program

   Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA)

   Cost-share for rural economic development: plans, diversification, workforce, events, community infrastructure and rural small business.

   Intake-basedOntarioGrantsUp to $250K
   26

   Worth a look

Questions

How many community programs for small businesses are open right now?

Of the 15 community programs for small businesses in our database, 4 are open or ongoing and 1 take applications only in intake windows. The rest are closed, paused or of unknown status, so they are not ranked on this page. Counts reflect our last check on Nov 4, 2026; programs can change without notice.

What is the largest published amount among these programs?

FedNor - Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP) publishes the largest figure on this page, shown as "Up to $170K". Published figures are program maximums, caps or limits, not what an applicant should expect to receive; many programs pay a share of eligible costs and amounts depend on your project and eligibility.

Which community programs for small businesses rank highest?

Right now the top three by our score are FedNor - Northern Ontario Development Program (40, Strong), Community Futures Program (34, Worth a look), Community Futures Program (34, Worth a look). The score combines the size of the published amount, how much work an application takes, how likely an eligible applicant is to succeed and how many people qualify.

Do I have to pay this money back?

It depends on the program. Grants and incentives are generally not repaid, loans always are, and some contribution agreements are partly or fully repayable, so read the terms of each program. Among the 4 open or ongoing programs here, 2 are in our Grants category, 2 are loans and 0 are other incentives such as tax credits and rebates.

Are these federal or Ontario programs?

4 of the 4 open or ongoing programs here come from the federal government and 0 from the Ontario government. Both levels can usually be combined, but many programs have stacking rules that cap total government funding for the same costs, so check them before you apply.

Is this an official government website?

No. Grants & Loans Finder is an independent research tool. Each program page links to the official source, and applications are always made with the government agency or lender that runs the program.