The initiative

About The Money Project

Why it exists, how it works, and who it's for.

Purpose

Our Mission

The Money Project North exists to make sure good ideas don't die for lack of money or support. We believe North Bay has talented, hardworking people who deserve a real shot at building something — and we're here to give it to them.

Context

Why We Exist

Getting started is hard enough. But for a lot of people in Northern Ontario, the first wall they hit isn't motivation or ideas — it's money, and the networks to access it.

Banks want track records. Government programs have complicated requirements and long timelines. And if you don't have connections or a mentor who's been through it, you can end up stuck before you've even started.

That's the gap we're here to close. Every loan comes from The Money Project's private fund. When it's repaid, it goes straight to the next person. No fundraising cycles, no board approvals, no red tape. Local money, moving through local hands, building something real.

"Good ideas shouldn't die because someone couldn't get access to a small amount of capital at the right moment."

— The Money Project North

Eligibility

Who We Help

We work with two kinds of entrepreneurs:

First-time founders who have a real idea and the drive to see it through, but don't yet have the capital or connections to get started.

Existing businesses with under $250,000 in annual revenue that are ready to grow, pivot, or take the next step.

You may be a good fit if:

  • You're passionate about your business and the problem it solves

  • Your business creates a real benefit for the North Bay community

  • You're based in North Bay or the District of Nipissing

  • You're serious about making your business work — not just testing an idea

  • You can't get what you need from a bank or government program right now

  • You're open to mentorship and honest feedback

We don't have a rigid checklist. If you're on the fence about whether you qualify, reach out — we'll tell you honestly.

Services

What We Offer

Capital, mentorship, and connections — without the red tape.

Interest-Free Loans

Real capital — no interest, no fees — repaid on the timeline agreed upon when your loan is approved. The goal is to give you room to build, not add pressure while you're getting started.

Mentorship & Strategic Guidance

Direct access to experienced entrepreneurs and professionals who've built real businesses. This isn't generic advice — it's specific, honest guidance from people who've made the same calls you're facing.

Financial Literacy & Education

One-on-one sessions and practical workshops that help you understand your numbers, think through decisions, and build a business that holds up over time.

Local Network Access

Introductions to lawyers, accountants, marketers, and other local professionals — many of whom offer reduced rates to our entrepreneurs. The right connection at the right time can change things.

Grant & Financing Help

Most people don't know how much funding is available if you know where to look. We help you find it, apply for it, and position your business so that when banks become an option, you're ready.

Our approach

Why We're Different

No bureaucracy

Every decision is made directly by our founder. No committee, no scoring rubric, no approval chain — just a real person reading your application and making a call.

Every application reviewed personally

You get a real answer from a real person who actually read what you sent.

Genuinely local

This money comes from North Bay and stays in North Bay. When loans are repaid, they fund the next entrepreneur here.

Built as a bridge

The goal is to get you ready for the next stage: bank financing, government programs, or outside investment. We're a stepping stone, not a long-term dependency.

Funding model

How We're Funded

The Money Project North is privately funded — no external investors, no government grants, no complicated structures. When loans are repaid, that money goes directly into new loans for the next person. Local investment, recycled locally, for as long as it keeps going.

0%

Interest on every loan

100%

Reinvested when repaid

Local

Money stays in North Bay

Ready to Start a Conversation?

The application is straightforward and personal. There's no algorithm — just a real person who'll read what you send.

Apply for a Loan