Grant
Provincial
Active
NOHFC INVEST North — Grow Stream
Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC)
Maximum Funding
Conditional contribution up to 20% of eligible costs (max...
Quarterly Grow stream rounds: Apr 30, Jul 31, Oct 31, Jan 31 (next: Oct 31, 2...
Difficulty
Hard
Payment
Mixed (Advance + Reimb.)
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
—
Co-Funding
20%
NOHFC INVEST North — Grow Stream provides up to Conditional contribution up to 20% of eligible costs (max $400,000); or contribution plus a term loan of up to 30% (max $600,000); or a term loan only of up to 50% (max $1,000,000). Supports businesses expanding existing operations in Northern Ontario. The program covers up to 20% of eligible costs. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Approval odds: ~30–50% (GrantCompass analysis)
Eligibility check
Can you win this grant?
Get your instant eligibility verdict plus a head start on the application. Free, no account needed.
Takes about 20 seconds. We use this program’s real eligibility rules.
Want your full match picture across 850+ programs? Take the 2-minute quiz →
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Free
Program Description
Supports businesses expanding existing operations in Northern Ontario. Funding is a conditional contribution of up to 20% of total eligible costs to a maximum of $400,000; optionally combined with a term loan of up to 30% to a maximum of $600,000; or taken as a term loan only of up to 50% to a maximum of $1,000,000.
Eligibility Requirements
- Business must be located in Northern Ontario
- Must be expanding existing operations in Northern Ontario — Invest North Grow supports the growth of existing businesses
- Funding options: conditional contribution up to 20% of eligible costs (max $400,000); contribution plus a term loan of up to 30% (max $600,000); or a term loan only of up to 50% (max $1,000,000)
- Must demonstrate positive economic impact for Northern Ontario communities
- Business must not be primarily involved in wholesale activities, mineral exploration/mine development/milling, electricity generation, or cellular and internet service projects
- Research and development is an ineligible activity under this stream
Provinces
Industries
Business Stage
Quick Assessment
Difficulty
Hard
Competition
High
First-Timer
Not rated
Funding Details
- Amount
- Conditional contribution up to 20% of eligible costs (max $400,000); or contribution plus a term loan of up to 30% (max $600,000); or a term loan only of up to 50% (max $1,000,000)
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Provincial
- Co-Funding
- Up to 20% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Quarterly Grow stream rounds: Apr 30, Jul 31, Oct 31, Jan 31 (next: Oct 31, 2026); other streams rolling
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Competition
High
Deadline
Oct 31, 2026
Approval
Moderate
Approval Rate
~30–50%
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Premium
See your real odds on this program — and exactly what it takes to win it.
What's in this Playbook
Everything you need to win NOHFC INVEST North — Grow Stream
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 18 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 10-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 7-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 4-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
$19 covers this one program. $39/mo covers every program, plus the workspace that walks you through each application.
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Premium
Insider TipBook a consultation call with a NOHFC advisor (1-800-461-8329) before applying — they'll tell you which stream fits and whether your project is competitive.
Premium
See what trips up most applicants for this program — and how to avoid it.
Rejection Pitfalls 18
- Startup or business not already operating in Northern Ontario (Grow supports expansion of existing operations; NOHFC's Launch stream is the startup path)
+17 more pitfalls
Premium
See the most common reasons applications get rejected — before you submit yours.
Success Profile
Premium
See what successful applicants for this program actually look like.
Evaluation Criteria
Premium
See exactly what reviewers score on — so you know where to focus.
Don’t lose this one to a preventable rejection
18 reasons applications get rejected, what winners look like, and exactly what reviewers score on
Paid grant writers quote $2,000–$5,000 per program. Premium covers all 850+ for $39/mo.
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Premium
7 steps
10 docs
Application Steps
1
Call NOHFC advisor at +1-705-945-6700 or submit inquiry Call NOHFC advisor at +1-705-945-6700 or submit inquiry at https://myportal.nohfc.ca/en/public/inquiry/ to confirm fit and review competitive timing
Required Documents 10
✓ Completed NOHFC online application (myportal.nohfc.ca)
✓ Detailed business plan
Eligible Expenses 6
Ineligible Expenses 19
Intake Periods
Deadline Notes
Ineligible Organizations
Premium
Get the step-by-step application guide — documents, timeline, and what to prepare.
Applying for NOHFC INVEST North — Grow Stream? Our Grant Proposal Template ($19) mirrors the section structure Canadian reviewers actually score on. Or get all 4 templates in the Founder Pack ($59 · saves $27) →
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Premium
4 partners
Compatible Programs
Combined Funding Potential
See your total funding potential
Clawback Risk
Medium Risk
Premium
See which programs combine with this one — and how much more you could get.
How NOHFC INVEST North — Grow Stream Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
Free
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOHFC INVEST North — Grow Stream | Conditional contribution up to 20%... | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Quarterly Grow stream... |
| Northern Ontario Development Program ... | Rates vary by component. Business... | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing |
| NRC IRAP Clean Technology Program | $100,000–$500,000 | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing |
| Ontario Job Grant (formerly Canada-On... | Up to $10,000 per employee | Easy | Varies | Ongoing — year-round... |
| Ontario Innovation Tax Credit | Up to 8% tax credit | Moderate | Tax Credit Offset | Ongoing |
Related Programs
Other programs you might be eligible for
Free
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about NOHFC INVEST North — Grow Stream
Free
Can sole proprietors apply for the Grow stream?
Yes, sole proprietors qualify for Grow stream if they're located in Northern Ontario and meet all other eligibility criteria, including demonstrating economic impact and having a matching contribution.
What's the typical award for a Grow stream project?
The conditional contribution is capped at 20% of eligible costs to a maximum of $400,000, and most awards land in the $100,000–$400,000 range. Beyond that you are into the loan options: a contribution plus a term loan of up to 30% (max $600,000), or a term loan only of up to 50% (max $1,000,000).
Why do most applications get rejected?
Common rejections include retail/consumer services, excluded industries (like breweries, wholesalers, mining and electricity generation), R&D projects (an ineligible activity under Grow), or failing to show Northern Ontario job creation numbers. Check the exclusion list first.
Do I need to pay upfront for matching funds?
Yes, matching funds must be secured before application. NOHFC requires proof of committed matching funds (cash, in-kind, or other grants) at time of application.
Can I stack FedNor NODP with this grant?
Yes, FedNor NODP stacks within the 50% combined government funding cap. Apply for both simultaneously to maximize support without exceeding the cap.
Browse More Funding
Full Playbook: NOHFC INVEST North — Grow Stream
7 steps · 10 docs · reviewer insights