Vintage Soil Farm | Loan Client
Loans
The Fair Finance Fund is a non-profit social finance fund dedicated to providing loans and mentorship services to Ontario-based local food and farm enterprises that value strong local food systems, local economies, and a healthy planet. Since 2019, the Fund has disbursed over $4 million in loans across Ontario. We understand your business, goals, mission, and values and have a shared mission for you to succeed while making a meaningful difference.
How to Apply
The Fund accepts applications through a Loan Cohort Model that allows applicants access the support they need during the application process. During the application process, you'll have the opportunity to receive one-on-one support from our team to ask questions, review documents and access key tools and resources. A digital Loan Application Package is available for applicants.
Check the Loan Eligibility Requirements to ensure you and your business are eligible for Fair Finance Fund financing.
Review the Preliminary Application Questions and prepare your required responses and documentation.
Read the Preliminary Application Guide to ensure you understand the application process and expected timelines.
Complete and submit the application form.
Once your application is submitted, our team will contact you about the next steps. Please note, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis by a volunteer-based committee. Thank you for your patience!
Loan Terms
The Fair Finance Fund offers loans from $20,000 up to $200,000 for a 5-year term. Each client receives 4-8 hours of free mentorship and business assistance to help navigate business challenges through the loan period from experts in food and farming.
Character-based eligibility
7.5% fixed interest rate
No hidden fees
Grace period of up to 3 months
Fixed monthly principal and interest payments over the loan term
No collateral requirements up to $50,000
Early payment options available under certain conditions
Please note: If you’re looking for a loan that exceeds $200,000, please contact us before applying. We can work with you to find a co-financing option that is suited to your business.
What We Offer
What makes the Fair Finance Fund different from a traditional bank or lender? We understand that:
Your time is valuable: our application process is timely and efficient, with short applications and fast processing times.
Your business is multifaceted: we consider more than just your financial statements when evaluating your application, including factors such as character, references, and the social and environmental impacts of your business.
Your lived experience matters: We prioritise Indigenous, racialised, and northern Ontario applicants as part of our mission to increase equity and diversity within the food and farming sectors.
You deserve a chance to grow: we do not require collateral for loans below $50,000. We also offer an optional grace period of up to 3 months (90 days).
You deserve stability: we have a fixed interest rate lower than the industry average.
Your overall financial well-being matters: There are no hidden fees, and our loans are affordable and geared to support successful repayment.
FAQ
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We lend to food and farm enterprises across Ontario — including co-operatives, non-profits, and for-profit businesses — whose mission supports sustainable, resilient local food systems. This includes farmers, processors, distributors, retailers, and other businesses in the local food value chain.
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Loan sizes range from $20,000 to $200,000. We also track and provide smaller loans under $50,000 for eligible enterprises.
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Loans can be used for start-up costs, business expansion, equipment purchases, working capital, and other needs that help you grow a sustainable food or farm business in Ontario.
We do not provide loans for debt financing or consolidation.
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Loans over $50,000 require collateral. For smaller loans, collateral may not be required, but we do assess business viability and repayment capacity as part of our character-based lending approach.
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Fair Finance Fund provides loans to enterprises committed to creating long-lasting economic, social, and environmental benefits in their communities, and tracks this information during the application stage and throughout the loan term. Fair Finance Fund uses the results to demonstrate to investors and our wider community the long-term and lasting impact of their funding.
Each applicant will be asked to complete a Baseline Impact Survey, as well as regular report Quarterly Impacts.
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The process starts with a short preliminary application to confirm eligibility. If approved, you’ll be invited to submit a full application with financial documents and business information. We also offer optional mentorship through our Real Assist Program to help you strengthen your application.
Make an Appointment
Do you have questions before applying? Are you unsure if your business meets the loan criteria? Get in touch to ask us about the process or to make an appointment with our team. We’re happy to provide more information, answer questions and provide assistance through the process.
Additional Resources
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Who We Fund
Our clients are social enterprises across the supply chain: farms, fisheries, markets, restaurants, bakeries, breweries, wineries, suppliers, and more. Looking to purchase equipment, expand your operations, or improve efficiencies, the Fund has a loan for you.
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What is a Social Enterprise?
Are you a local food or farm business in Ontario but aren’t sure if you classify as a social enterprise? You may be surprised! Download our social enterprise checklist to see if you meet our criteria for a values-aligned, community-driven enterprise.
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What are Impact Indicators?
We understand that the financial numbers behind your business don’t always tell the whole story. That’s why we ask our loan clients to track a range of economic, social and environmental impacts to better share the diversity and widespread benefits on your communities and beyond.
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Meet Our Loan Clients
We’re proud to spotlight our loan clients: a diverse group of agri-food and food businesses with a social purpose. Read their stories and how the Fair Finance Fund is supporting their work to grow a resilient food system across Ontario.
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Mentorship & Business Assistance
The REAL Assist Mentorship Program offers reliable, expert business assistance to local food and farm social enterprises. The program provides you with the guidance and support you need to fulfill your business goals and social mission. Loan clients receive up to 10 hours of mentorship as part of the loan package.
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Business & Financial Resources
Browse our resource hub with tools to help your business thrive. Topics include business planning, financial planning, setting financial goals and budgeting, debt management, and more.
Questions?
We would love to hear from you. Our team is here to provide more information about our loans, answer any questions you may have or provide assistance through the application process. Fill out the form, and we will be in contact with you in 2 - 3 business days.