As all entrepreneurs can attest, acquiring the resources necessary to build a successful business can be difficult. This is especially true for minorities in Canada. To help address the systemic obstacles faced by Black business owners and entrepreneurs, the Government of Canada has partnered with Black-led organizations and financial institutions throughout the country to introduce the Black Entrepreneurship Grant Program.

This program offers entrepreneurs access to several valuable resources, including the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund. This loan fund provides Black entrepreneurs with the funding needed to open or build a successful business. To receive funding, individuals must submit an application, including a Grant Business Plan, which demonstrates their eligibility and proposed or current business outcomes.

Interested in the Black Entrepreneurship Grant Program? Let’s take a closer look at how you can apply for a loan through the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund.

As a component of the Black Entrepreneurship Grant Program, the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund will provide loans to Black entrepreneurs and business owners in Canada. Through this fund, entrepreneurs and businesses may receive loans of up to $250,000 which can be used for various business expenses.

Currently, the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund holds approximately $291.3 million in investments. The fund is supported by numerous organizations, including the Government of Canada, the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), Vancity, Alterna Savings, the Royal Bank of Canada, BMO Financial Group, Scotiabank, CIBC, the National Bank of Canada, and TD Bank. It is also expected that other financial institutions will partner with these organizations to introduce further investments into the fund.

The Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE) has been granted the responsibility of administering funds provided by the Canadian Government.

There are several eligibility requirements that applicants must meet when applying for a loan.

Applicants must:

• Self-identify as Black or as a Black-led organization. In other words, more than 51% of the organization must be owned by Black Canadians.

• Be a legal resident of Canada. Please note: Microloans are also available for refugees. These microloans, of between $10,000 and $25,000, are offered by Alterna Savings and Vancity.

• Be 18 years of age or older.

Eligible entrepreneurs and business owners can apply to receive funding for start-ups, as well as existing small businesses in Canada. Corporations, sole proprietorships, partnerships, and for-profit social institutions are all eligible. Nonprofit organizations, however, are not eligible to receive loans under this program.

As mentioned above, entrepreneurs and business owners can use their loans for various purposes, including

• Capital investment (e.g., equipment expenses, property improvement, etc.)
• Working capital (e.g., inventory, payroll, etc.)
• Short-term financing

Several expenses cannot be covered using these funds, however. These include the payment of dividends, bonuses, shareholder compensation, etc.

Before applying, it is recommended that applicants inquire with the Federation of African Canadian Economics to ensure that they, their business, and the intended use of the loan are eligible for financing.

Applicants can use the FACE loan portal to begin their application process. After registering for the program through this online portal, applicants will be assigned a case manager who will continue to communicate with them and assist with their loan requests.

Black Entrepreneurship Grant Program loan applicants must submit a Grant Business Plan, business registration documentation, and recent financial statements or, in the case of a start-up, financial projections to be considered for a loan.

The Black Entrepreneurship Grant Program is highly competitive. Therefore, a unique and polished Grant Business Plan is necessary to receive funding. As a result, many entrepreneurs and business owners work with professional business plan writers to increase their chances of success. Experienced document writing teams offer a competitive advantage through their expertly crafted business plans.

A business plan created by Joorney Canada will help you stand out and demonstrate your worthiness and willingness to succeed. Our business plan experts will develop a cohesive and structured business plan that includes all necessary components for a successful application, including

• A business description,
• An industry and market analysis,
• A marketing and personnel plan, and
• Financial projections

The Black Entrepreneurship Program helps Black entrepreneurs with starting new businesses and expanding existing organizations. The program supports entrepreneurs and business owners by providing access to various resources, including

• Financial support and
• Expert advice from advisors and mentors

The Black Entrepreneurship Grant Program is comprised of three components:

1. Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund

This loan fund provides Black business owners and entrepreneurs with the capital they need to start a new business or expand an existing one.

2. National Ecosystem Fund

The National Ecosystem Fund supports Black-led nonprofit organizations in Canada.

These nonprofit organizations will provide invaluable information, advice, and support to those entrepreneurs and businesses selected to receive Black Entrepreneurship Grant Program loans.

3. Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub

The Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub will examine Black entrepreneurship throughout Canada, helping to determine common obstacles, as well as opportunities for development. Canadian Black-led nonprofit organizations will manage the Knowledge Hub in association with educational institutions.

The businesses and entrepreneurs selected to receive a loan under the Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund will ultimately inform this Hub. These individuals and organizations will offer valuable insight into Black entrepreneurship in Canada and how this landscape can be improved.

FACE is now accepting applications from Black entrepreneurs and Black-led businesses in Canada. From monetary support to insightful advice from business professionals, this program offers everything an entrepreneur needs to reach their full potential!

At Joorney Canada, we love helping entrepreneurs and business owners achieve success. Connect with our Grant Business Plan writing experts today to see how we can help you successfully apply for a loan through the Black Entrepreneurship Grant Program!