About the program

The Community Small Business Investment Fund program stopped selling shares of registered venture-capital funds on December 31, 2003. Funds created on or before January 1, 2004 might continue to operate today. To find out whether a fund is still operating, contact the fund directly, or search the data catalogue of registered funds.

The Community Small Business Investment Fund program allows investors to buy shares of registered venture-capital funds. The venture-capital funds are set up to help eligible small businesses access funding.

How the program works

The program has specific rules for the types of venture-capital funds which could participate and sell shares.

Corporations that want to become funds and sell shares through the program need to meet specific rules on:

  • registration criteria
  • levels of community sponsorship
  • required articles of the corporation
  • assets that could be held by the fund
  • types of investment incentives that could be offered to investors
  • required levels of investment in small businesses
  • types of investments that could be made
  • returns and forms that needed to be submitted
  • dividends and return of capital

There is also specific eligibility criteria for:

  • investors buying shares of a fund
  • a corporation’s community sponsors and shareholders
  • small businesses wanting to access the funding

Find the full set of rules in the Community Small Business Investment Funds Act, 1992.

Grants and loans

The program does not provide grants or loans to businesses. Investment decisions are made by the registered funds.

If you operate a small business, learn more about the support and services available to you.

For information about small business financing, contact Canada Business Ontario at 1-800-567-2345.

Objections and appeals

If you are not satisfied with a decision regarding the Community Small Business Investment Fund program, you can contact the Ontario Ministry of Finance.

If you are still not satisfied, you can file an objection with the ministry by completing a Notice of Objection form. Send the form to the ministry within 60 days from the day the minister’s decision was mailed.

Notice of Objection forms can be submitted online or mailed to:

Ministry of Finance
c/o Director, Advisory, Objections, Appeals and Services Branch
33 King Street West
PO Box 699, Stn. A
Oshawa, ON
L1H 8S6