Microfinance Program

Our Microfinance program works to address socio-economic inequity by creating opportunities for financial independence and reducing barriers to banking for those often excluded from financing.

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Black Entrepreneur Loan Fund (BELF)

The Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund, a component of the Black Entrepreneurship Program, is a partnership between the Government of Canada, Black-led business organizations, and several financial institutions.

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Joint Loan Program with BDC

Black entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs, and women entrepreneurs who have received up to $25,000 in funding through Alterna's Community Microfinance program will have the opportunity to do double this amount through this new program with BDC, for a potential total of $50,000.

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Community Financial Education Programs & Resources

At Alterna, we believe strongly in supporting the financial health and well-being of communities. One of the ways we do that is by developing and delivering financial education programs and resources tailored to the specific needs of the individuals, organizations, and communities we serve. Our programs include customized curriculums for:

individual members
co-operatives, not-for-profits, and charitable sector organizations
small business owners and entrepreneurs.

These financial education programs were designed to provide wrap-around support to underserved and underrepresented individuals and organizations. The curriculum encompasses a wide range of topics, from budgeting to more in-depth and specific workshops for social innovators and entrepreneurs or non-profit and charitable organizations.

For further information about Alterna’s financial education offerings through our Community Impact Department, please contact communityfinancialeducation@alterna.ca.

Eligibility

Registered charities
Incorporated nonprofit organizations
Co-operatives without share capital
Unincorporated associations are eligible with the sponsorship of an eligible incorporated organization. A letter of support from an incorporated organization will be required with the application. Cheque will be issued to the sponsoring incorporated organization. Sponsor organization must submit Articles of Incorporation or Letters Patent. Alterna will only issue cheques to incorporated groups.
While membership in Alterna is not a requirement for grant funding, preference will be given to member organizations. Click Here to find out more about how your organization can benefit from membership at Alterna.

Application Process

Completed applications can be submitted to community.grants@alterna.ca. A complete application, depending on your legal structure, will include the following information:

Completed application form
Proof of charitable status
Copy of Articles of Incorporation or Letters Patent
For unincorporated groups applying, a letter of support from an incorporated organization is also required with the application. Cheque will be issued to the sponsoring incorporated organization. Sponsor organization must submit Articles of Incorporation, Letters Patent, or charitable status.
Letters of recommendation (optional)

Key Dates

Application Deadline: Friday, May 24, 2024, at 11:59 pm ET

Cheques are disbursed to Community Granting Program recipient organization(s) through Alterna’s ‘Spirit of the Season’ campaign in December. Please ensure that your organization’s application outlines the intended use and timeline for your proposed program. Funds must be used by the organization that is applying for the granting stream*.

*For unincorporated associations, cheque will be issued to sponsoring incorporated organization.

In addition to any other organizational activities already prohibited by Alterna, Alterna will not support:

Initiatives that take place outside of Ontario
Groups that discriminate or restrict access based on things like race, colour, religion or creed, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability among others
Political or fraternal organizations or third-party organizations that raise funds for charity
Private (fee-based) elementary or secondary schools
Religious organizations, unless they are engaged in a significant project benefiting the entire community
Endowment or memorial campaigns
Conferences, events, or golf tournaments
Advertising or promotional campaigns
Travel-related events, including student trips or tours
The creation or repair of statues, monuments, artwork, or beautification projects
The publication of books or movie productions
Private foundations

Funds must be used by the organization that is applying for the granting stream.

Financial Inclusion Granting Program

Through Alterna’s Financial Inclusion Granting Program, organizations can apply for a grant up to $20,000 for innovative initiatives that work to address issues of financial inclusion and/or financial education among underserved communities.

Emphasis is placed on initiatives that offer opportunities for scale or replication to other communities and partnership with Alterna.

Eligibility

Alterna’s Financial Inclusion Granting Program supports:

Registered charities
Incorporated nonprofit organizations
Co-operatives without share capital
Unincorporated associations are eligible with the sponsorship of an eligible incorporated organization. A letter of support from the incorporated organization is required with the application. Cheque will be issued to the sponsoring incorporated organization. Sponsor organization must submit Articles of Incorporation, Letters Patent, or charitable status. Alterna will only issue cheques to incorporated groups.
While membership in Alterna is not a requirement for grant funding, preference will be given to member organizations.

Application Process:

Completed applications are submitted to community.grants@alterna.ca. See Application Guidelines for detailed information on what to include in your organization’s application. A complete application will include the following information:

Step 1. Letter of Inquiry

If your organization has an idea or program that you believe would be a good fit for the Financial Inclusion Granting Program, please submit a maximum 2-page Letter of Inquiry (LOI) detailing the initiative. The letter must include the following information.

Step 2. Request for Proposal

Alterna’s Community Impact Department will review all LOIs and invite a limited number of organizations to submit full Proposals for funding.

Step 3. Proposal Submission

Alterna will only consider Proposals from organizations that have been invited to submit a full Proposal based on their previously submitted LOI.

In addition to expanding in detail on the content requested for the LOI submission, organizations will be asked to elaborate in the Proposal.

Step 4. Application Review

Received Proposals will be reviewed by an internal Committee of Alterna employees. Proposals will be evaluated on several criteria including potential for replication or scale of the initiative, impact, and measurable results.

Step 5. Grant Approval

Alterna will inform all applicants as to the status of their applications in advance of recipient announcements. Successful applicants will be announced throughout Financial Literacy Month in November on Alterna platforms.

Key Dates

Letter of Inquiry Deadline: Friday, May 3, 2024, at 11:59 pm ET
Proposal Deadline: Monday, June 10, 2024, at 11:59 pm ET

Cheques are disbursed to Financial Inclusion Granting Program recipient organization(s) throughout Financial Literacy Month in November. Please ensure that your organization’s application outlines the intended use and timeline for your proposed program. Funds must be used by the organization that is applying for the granting stream*.

*For unincorporated associations, cheque will be issued to sponsoring incorporated organization.

In addition to any other organizational activities already prohibited by Alterna, Alterna will not support:

Initiatives that take place outside of Ontario
Groups that discriminate or restrict access based on things like race, colour, religion or creed, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability among others
Political or fraternal organizations or third-party organizations that raise funds for charity
Private (fee-based) elementary or secondary schools
Religious organizations, unless they are engaged in a significant project benefiting the entire community
Endowment or memorial campaigns
Conferences, events, or golf tournaments
Advertising or promotional campaigns
Travel-related events, including student trips or tours
The creation or repair of statues, monuments, artwork, or beautification projects
The publication of books or movie productions
Private foundations

Microfinance Program

Black Entrepreneur Loan Fund (BELF)

Joint Loan Program with BDC

Resources to help get you started

Programs & Grants

Additional Resources