Community Enhancement Program — Rural Enhancement Funding Stream

Many small towns and Indigenous communities across Northern Ontario rely on aging community spaces, recreation facilities, and municipal assets that need upgrades to remain safe, accessible, and welcoming. The Community Enhancement Program — Rural Enhancement Funding Stream is designed to help address those needs by supporting practical improvement projects that strengthen day-to-day life in rural and northern communities.

Delivered by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, this program provides non-repayable funding to help nonprofits, municipalities, and community organizations move forward with incremental repairs, renovations, and upgrades to existing capital assets. Support can reach up to roughly $500,000 for larger communities, with smaller and Indigenous communities able to receive a high percentage of eligible project costs. Funding is commonly used to extend the useful life of facilities such as community halls, social and recreational spaces, and other shared assets that play a central role in community well-being. Projects are expected to focus on tangible improvements rather than new core infrastructure, operating costs, or stand-alone equipment purchases.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and assessed by the NOHFC board, with flexibility for projects that address priority needs in Northern Ontario. For organizations looking to revitalize community spaces and make meaningful, long-term improvements, this program can be a strong fit—exploring the full requirements can help determine whether your project is well aligned.