Overview | Applicants | Investors & Donors | Volunteers | FAQ

Applicants:

• Must be resident of the Black Creek Community (South of Steeles Avenue, East of 400, North of 401 and West of Keele Street).
• Must be 18 years of age or older;
• Must have permanent legal status in Canada (Canadian Citizen or Landed
  Immigrant status) and be a resident of Ontario;
• Must own no less than 51% of the company in the case of a corporation;
  in the case of a partnership, all partners must be willing to co-sign for
  the loan;
• Must be able to submit a complete business plan including start-up or
  expansion costs and a cash flow forecast.

Successful applicants will be provided access to funding and business support.

Upon successful repayment of the initial loan, clients are eligible to apply for larger loans to support an expansion of their business operations.

Ready to apply? Click here for the Application form which will connect you with the website of our partner, Access Community Capital Fund. Send completed application form and all related documents to applications@accessccf.com and they will forward to the local Black Creek Loan Review Committee.

If you have any questions, please email them to microlending@blackcreekcapacity.ca or leave a message at 416-747-5616.

Working with Participants

A knowledgeable business support network and partnership with an established financial institution plays a significant role in the loan management.

Features of the loan include:

• The opportunity for community members to receive up to $5000 for self employment activities, repayable in 12-18 months.
• Loans administered by Alterna Savings, an established financial institution.
• Loan officers who meet with program participants regularly to monitor business progress and ensure loan conditions are met.

If you are interested in applying you can download the application form from this link:

Black Creek Microcredit Application form

Send completed application form and all related documents to microlending@blackcreekcapacity.ca.

Tools and Templates

Here are some helpful tools:

• Cash Flow Tool
• Writing a Business Plan
• Loan Calculators

Resources

Starting a business can be easier than you think. Click each of the statements below for some general resources which can help you get started:

I’m fearful of being self-employed.

I don’t have an idea for a business.

How do I go about developing my business idea into an actual business?

Who can help me launch my business?

I have no money to start-up my business.

Self-Employment and Entrepreneurial Training

• Black Creek Business 101 Workshops
  The Black Creek Microcredit Program hosts Business 101 Workshops for your group or association.
  For more information or to request a workshop session, call 416-747-5616 or e-mail microlending@blackcreekcapacity.ca
• Learning Enrichment Foundation
  Since early in 2009, the Learning Enrichment Foundation has added a new training program geared to help new immigrants start and run a business. The “Entrepreneurship” program now serves Canadians and New Immigrants alike, by providing 3 –indepth 13 week small business training programs, one day small business start up clinics, coaching and consulting services as well. The program has expert teachers, mentors, coaches and peer-to-peer support and it’s totally free!
• Blueprints
  Blueprints is a program of Youth Unlimited that will equip young people from the Jane-Finch community to create and implement a blueprint to launch a business idea. The program will focus on life skills mentoring, entrepreneurial training and youth wholeness.
• Toronto Employment and Social Services – Self-employment and entrepreneurship
  If you are receiving Ontario Works and are interested in starting a business, the Self-Employment Development program available through Employment and Social Services may be right for you. The program is run by community agencies that can help you learn how to set up and operate your own business.