Community
Programs & Resources
Community
Programs & Resources
Alterna is guided by our commitment to support the well-being of our members, employees and communities.
We promote community economic development through programs that serve both individuals, such as our Microfinance program, and our work that supports the financial resilience of the non-profit sector.
Here are some programs your organization may be eligible for:
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.
Additional Support
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.
Resources to help get you started
Contact us to request a copy of our Cash Flow Statements and Business Planning Steps.
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.
Programs & Grants
Community Financial Resiliency Program
Our Community Financial Resiliency Program helps improve the capacity and resilience of the not-for-profit and charitable sector to build equity, and strengthen their financial sustainability.
We do this by offering
Additional advocacy and support around:
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:
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.
Community Grants Program
The program provides grants of up to $1,000 to initiatives where a small amount of money can have a significant impact in the communities we serve.
Eligibility
Application Process
Completed applications can be submitted to communitygrants@alterna.ca A complete application will include:
Financial Inclusion Grants
Eligibility
Alterna’s Financial Inclusion Grant Program supports:
Click here to find out more about how your organization can benefit from membership at Alterna.
Step 1. Letter of Inquiry
If you have an idea that you think would be a good fit for the Financial Inclusion Grant Program please submit a maximum 2-page Letter of Inquiry detailing your initiative.
Step 2. Request for Proposal
Alterna will review all letters of inquiry 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 letter of inquiry.
Step 4. Application Review
Received proposals will be reviewed by an internal committee of Alterna staff. Proposals will be evaluated on a number of criteria including potential for replication or scale of the initiative, impact, measurable results.
Step 5. Grant Approval
Alterna will inform all applications as to the status of their application. Successful applications will be announced on Alterna website and social media.
Key Dates
Letter of Inquiry Deadline: May 31, 2022
Proposal Deadline: September 10, 2022
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