NOHFC Enhance Your Community Program

Program Description

Municipalities, Indigenous communities, not-for-profit organizations, and Local Services Boards in Northern Ontario can receive a conditional contribution of up to 50% of eligible costs or $2 million (social enterprises up to $1 million) for eligible community improvement projects.

Eligibility Requirements

• Municipalities, Indigenous communities, not-for-profit organizations, or Local Services Boards located in Northern Ontario
• Northern Ontario is defined by NOHFC as all areas north of, and including, the districts of Muskoka, Parry Sound and Nipissing
• Effective February 23, 2026, social enterprises may be eligible where they operate primarily for social, environmental or cultural benefit and reinvest the majority of profits into that mission — co-operatives must be structured without the ability to flow dividends to individual members, and Indigenous for-profit entities must be 100% community-owned with all profits reinvested into the community
• Eligible social enterprises may receive up to 50% of eligible project costs to a maximum of $1,000,000, rather than the $2,000,000 general cap
• Funding is a conditional contribution of up to 50% of eligible costs or $2,000,000, whichever is less, so the applicant must fund at least half the project
• All buildings, facilities or land improved with NOHFC funding must be owned or leased by the applicant
• Project must not be core infrastructure, administrative or office space, residential, operating expenses, routine maintenance, rolling stock, a stand-alone equipment or furniture purchase, or a stand-alone study
• Fire halls and related fire service activities are ineligible as of February 3, 2026, including construction, expansion, renovation or upgrading
• Applicants must demonstrate that NOHFC funding is necessary to make the project viable by showing they have investigated or applied to other relevant federal or provincial funding sources
• Projects should identify and align with a planning process such as a community or organizational plan; projects outside a formal plan are considered case by case
• NOHFC may decline funding where the project falls within the mandate of another federal or provincial program, and may add assistance only after that program has decided, at its sole discretion
• The applicant may be required to reimburse NOHFC if assets financed by NOHFC are sold within the first three years after project completion
• There is no population threshold — the Enhance Your Community stream is open to all eligible applicants regardless of municipal, community or catchment-area population
• Cannabis manufacturing and retail companies do not qualify for NOHFC programs