Staff at Toronto Metropolitan University's Urban Farm tend to their rooftop crops on Aug. 2, 2023. Photo by Arlene Throness.
Nourish Fund
A non-profit social finance fund dedicated to providing loans and mentorship services to urban farmers and food entrepreneurs in Scarborough and the surrounding areas. We provide accessible, flexible financing for racialized and equity-deserving urban farm and food businesses, building equitable urban food economies, local food systems, community wealth, and environmental stewardship.
Mission
To provide equity-deserving urban farmers and food entrepreneurs with accessible, values-aligned financial tools that support local food systems, environmental stewardship, and economic self-determination.
Vision
A future where food sovereignty thrives in every urban community and where equity-deserving farmers have the resources, power, and freedom to nourish themselves, their communities, and the land.
The Potential
Urban agriculture and food production represent a vital opportunity to boost local economies, improve food access, and support climate resilience. Despite this, urban food producers too often face systemic barriers to financing.
Farms and food businesses operating in urban environments are often located on public or institutional land or led by community organizations, making them ineligible or overlooked by traditional lenders. Racial bias, land tenure issues, and startup stigma further complicate access to capital, especially for racialized and equity-seeking entrepreneurs.
Our Solution
Nourish Fund offers tailored financing solutions for urban growers and processors, with flexible terms that reflect the realities of this emerging sector and communities.
Nourish Fund currently offers three loan products for growers and producers of varying enterprise sizes and business development stages, including standard, micro-loans, and loans designed for non-profit initiatives operating in Scarborough’s food and farm communities.
By centring equity, the Nourish Fund seeks to shift the narrative around who gets to lead in food production—and who benefits. Through the Fund, we aim to nourish both community and opportunity.
Our Loans
Are you an urban farmer, food processor, or social enterprise working to build a more just and sustainable food system? The Nourish Fund offers tailored financing designed to meet the needs of equity-deserving entrepreneurs. Under the experience of the Fair Finance Fund, we provide accessible financing solutions so your enterprise can grow and thrive. We share your commitment to making a meaningful difference in your community.
Standard Loans
$10,000 - $100,000
5-year term
7.5% Interest Rate
For incorporated, sole proprietorship, corporation, co-op or non-profit food or farm enterprise within and/or serving the Scarborough community.
Micro-Loans
$1,000 - $5,000
1-Year Term
Variable Interest
Accessible financing for start-up and small-scale food producers and processors within and/or serving the Scarborough community.
Non-Profit Loans
$25,000 - $50,000
Up to 2-Year Terms
0% Interest
For Scarborough-based non-profit organizations working in sustainable food systems and achieving tangible community benefits.
Standard Loans
Loan Terms:
Loans ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 for a 5-year term
10 hours of expert mentorship and business assistance
7.5% fixed interest rate with no hidden fees
Grace period of up to 3 months
No collateral requirements up to $50,000
Ask us about Shariah-compliance
Who is eligible to apply?
We prioritize applications from equity-deserving farmers and food businesses based in Scarborough and surrounding urban areas. We welcome applications from urban food and farm enterprises who:
Are based in or serve Scarborough or surrounding areas
Are at least two years into their business journey
Are led by individuals or organizations from equity-deserving communities
Operate with a mission of environmental sustainability, food justice, and/or local economic development
Barbacoa Boyz, Fair Finance Fund Loan Client
Micro-Loans
Loan Terms:
Loans ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for a 1-year term
Variable interest rate determined based on business type
Grace period of up to 1 month
Who is eligible to apply?
Market Gardener + Local Food Processors Micro-Loans offer accessible financing for small-scale food producers and processors to strengthen local food systems. While we welcome applicants from across the GTA, we give priority to those from Scarborough or whose work impacts the Scarborough community and are:
Market gardeners leasing/using land managed by a non-profit organization (must apply jointly with the non-profit)
or
Registered businesses operating as a sole proprietor.
Non-Profit Loans
Loan Terms:
Loans ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 for up to a 2-year term
Fully forgiven after 12-months dependent on proof of community impact
0% interest rate
No collateral requirements
Who is eligible to apply?
These loans are available exclusively to qualified Scarborough-based non-profit organizations working in sustainable food systems. These impact-focused loans may be partially or fully forgiven based on achieving predetermined community benefit metrics (such as pounds of produce grown, jobs created, and food donated to food banks). The process works like a regular loan application—you receive the capital, use it for food and growing activities, and track your impact. After 12 months, once we review your impact metrics, the loan is forgiven.
Eligible applicants:
Must be a registered non-profit organization
Must be based in or primarily operating within Scarborough
Must have existing or planned food-related programming (e.g., community garden, soup kitchen, food bank)
Must demonstrate clear community benefit and alignment with food security goals
Interested in applying? Due to the limited number of non-profit loans available, we ask that interested applicants get in touch with Michelle Chin-Dawe, Nourish Fund Coordinator, for an initial consultation.
Funding
FAQs
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The Nourish Fund welcomes applications from all equity-deserving urban farmers and food entrepreneurs in Scarborough and organizations that predominantly serve equity-deserving communities in these areas. We have specifically designed our funding process to address historical barriers and create more inclusive access to financing. Our approach emphasizes character-based lending, provides comprehensive support throughout the application process, and recognizes diverse forms of experience and expertise.
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Equity-deserving communities are groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers to equal access in society, including in financial services. This includes, but is not limited to, Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, newcomers, and other communities who have experienced systemic discrimination.
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We have designated funding for non-profit organizations. These forgivable loans can be converted based on achieving specific impact metrics, meaning they may not need to be repaid once certain goals are met.
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If you’re looking for a loan that exceeds $100,000, please contact us before applying. We can work with you to find a co-financing option that is suited to your business.
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Loans below $50,000 do not require collateral, unless specifically determined as high-risk due to business circumstances.
Loans between $50,000 - $100,000 are asked to provide collateral to ensure loan security. Exact requirements will be assessed by the Loan Review Committee.
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We offer access to affordable expert mentorship on topics including financial readiness, business strategy, marketing, and more, available through the REAL Assist Mentorship Program, as well as access to the Path to Purpose resource hub.
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Available exclusively for Scarborough-based food and farm non-profit organizations, a forgivable loan is designed to be fully forgiven after an organization meets agreed-upon impact metrics. In our case, metrics can include pounds of produce grown, jobs created, and food donated to food banks, etc. While we don't administer traditional grants, we structure this as a forgivable loan to ensure the capital benefits the Scarborough community. The process works like a regular loan application—you receive the capital, use it for food and growing activities, and track your impact. After 12 months, once we review your impact metrics, the loan is forgiven.
Invest In Tomorrow, Today
Join us in transforming how food and finance intersect in our cities. When you invest in the Nourish Fund, you’re directly supporting urban farmers and food entrepreneurs who are growing community resilience, food security, and environmental sustainability.
Your investment fuels grassroots food systems led by racialized and equity-deserving communities. It’s more than capital — it’s a commitment to justice, sovereignty, and regeneration.
Why invest?
Be part of a bold new initiative fostering local, sustainable food systems
Support racial equity in agriculture and food entrepreneurship
Align your money with your values through social finance
Earn a return while driving real-world impact
Your investment can grow more than food. It can grow futures.
Get in Touch
If you are interested in potential partnerships, investment, or in learning more about the Nourish Fund loan options? You can book a quick 30-minute meeting with Nourish Fund Coordinator, Michelle Chin-Dawe, or get in touch by completing the contact form.
P.S. Stay informed on the latest news about the Nourish Fund by signing up for the Fair Finance Fund monthly newsletter.
About Inclusive Prosperity
Beginning as a partnership between the Fair Finance Fund, Social Economy through Social Inclusion (SETSI), and the Learning Enrichment Foundation (LEF), Inclusive Prosperty is today an independent organisation under the umbrella of the Fair Finance Fund.
By assessing and redressing biases in governance, operations, and lending practices of conventional institutions, Inclusive Prosperity works to challenge and dismantle financing barriers for equity-deserving farmers and food entrepreneurs. Together, we believe we can grow an equitable and inclusive food and farming future.
