Northern Ontario Women (NOW) program

For women entrepreneurs in Northern Ontario, access to the right expertise and operational support can be just as critical as capital when starting or scaling a business. The Northern Ontario Women (NOW) program is designed to meet that need, helping women-owned and women-led businesses strengthen their foundations, navigate growth, and build confidence as employers. Delivered by Community Futures Ontario with support from FedNor, the program focuses on practical, business-ready assistance rather than traditional project financing.

NOW supports both startups preparing to launch and established small and medium-sized businesses looking to grow. Depending on the initiative, support can help cover the cost of one-time professional services, business training, or mentoring and coaching relationships that deepen skills and strategic capacity. A key feature of the program is access to human resources support through a Citation Canada (formerly HRdownloads) subscription, allowing participants to better manage HR policies, compliance, and people management as their teams evolve. This HR component is currently available for eligible businesses and runs until May 1, 2026.

The program has a strong track record across Northern Ontario, working through local Community Futures partners to reach entrepreneurs where they are. Funding is non-repayable and varies based on the type of support requested and the needs of the business. For women business owners considering their next step, learning more about how the NOW program works can help determine whether this support fits their growth plans.