Row concave Shape Decorative svg added to bottom
Home>Funding Opportunities>Community Development

Community Development Grants & Loans for Ontario Farms

5 Community Development Funding Opportunities for Ontario Farmers

Agriculture is the heart of rural communities, and community development programs focus on projects that benefit more than just a single farm. These NFU-O resources identify funding in Canada that support farmers’ markets, local food hubs, and collaborative rural initiatives.

Funding in this category is often aimed at strengthening the link between producers and consumers while fostering economic resilience in small towns. By engaging in community-focused projects, farmers can diversify their income streams and build stronger local support networks. These programs empower producers to take leadership roles in building a sustainable and vibrant food future for all Ontarians.

Whether you are looking to start a community-shared agriculture (CSA) project or improve local food processing capacity, these resources provide the necessary backing. Browse the community development and rural growth programs below.

43 opportunities found
Funding Sort

Search by Keywords

Search by Keywords

Type

Type
  • Grant
  • Loan

Region

Region
  • Rest of Canada

Category

Category
  • Environmental Improvements
  • Equity Deserving
  • Labour
  • Non-Labour

Tags

Tags
  • Business Mentorship
  • Co-operative
  • Community Development
  • Cost-share
  • Indigenous
  • Non-Profit
  • Professional Development
  • Small Business
  • Wage Subsidy
  • Women
Coming Soon

Rural Ontario Development Program

Deadline: August 17, 2026
Funding Amount: No Maximum
Cost-share funding for rural community and rural business projects.
Open

Building Restoration, Renovation, and Improvement Grant

Deadline: Ongoing
Funding Amount: $25,000
A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) in Haldimand County that offers grant funds for eligible agricultural building costs.
Open

Community Economic Development in Northern Ontario

Deadline: Ongoing
Funding Amount: No Maximum
Assistance available from FedNor includes repayable and non-repayable contributions.
Open

GoodSpark Fund

Deadline: Ongoing
Funding Amount: No Maximum
Grant to support socio-economic development and community spirit.
Closed

Carrot Cache Grant

Deadline: December 9, 2025
Funding Amount: $5,000
Micro loans for food projects that are driven by individuals or groups who are facing systemic barriers and/or lacking funds from other resources to complete projects that improve or create change within the local food system in Ontario.