Meridian Credit Union Champions Ontario Entrepreneurs Through Its 2026 Small Business Big Impact Awards

Meridian Credit Union is awarding $250,000 to small businesses and non-profit organizations across Ontario that are making a meaningful impact in their communities. . Small businesses are the foundation of Ontario’s economy, driving innovation, creating jobs, and strengthening the communities they serve. Behind every successful small business is an entrepreneur overcoming obstacles, seizing opportunities, and turning a vision into lasting impact. Meridian Credit Union recognizes the importance of supporting these initiatives and is renewing its commitment to local entrepreneurship with the sixth annual Small Business Big Impact Awards.

The 2026 awards program will recognize 20 Ontario businesses and non-profit organizations with $10,000 each, with one community winner receiving an additional $50,000 through the Ontario Votes Award.  More than a celebration of commercial success, the awards recognize entrepreneurs who push innovation, support environmental stewardship, build inclusive workplaces, and positively impact their communities. Meridian highlights businesses whose contributions go far beyond the bottom line by combining financial acknowledgment with opportunities for increased visibility.

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Small Businesses Are Making a Big Impact in Challenging Times

The awards arrive at a time when Ontario entrepreneurs are navigating significant economic pressures. Meridian’s 2026 Small Business Big Impact survey found that 75% of Canadians expect the next two years to be a “rough ride” for local small businesses. At the same time, support for small business remains strong: 84% agree that buying from small businesses delivers a big impact for their communities, while 87% view supporting small businesses as an investment in Canada’s economy and future.

“We know the environment for small businesses continues to be challenging, but every day we see the resilience, creativity and commitment Ontario entrepreneurs bring to their communities. The Small Business Big Impact Awards are an opportunity to recognize that impact and support businesses as they continue to grow, create opportunities and make a difference,” adds Paul Casey, Director Small Business, Meridian Credit Union.

Recognizing Small Businesses That Make a Big Difference

Many entrepreneurs define success not simply by income or expansion, but by the impact their businesses have on people’s lives. Meridian’s Small Business Big Impact Awards embody this attitude by recognizing businesses that demonstrate significant community involvement and responsible business practices.

The 2026 Small Business Big Impact program will recognize 20 winners across five Ontario communities. Each community will have four winners: two for-profit businesses and two non-profit organizations. Each winner will receive $10,000. The program also includes a dedicated Indigenous Entrepreneur category, recognizing Indigenous-owned businesses and organizations making a positive impact in communities across Ontario. Four $10,000 awards will be presented through this category.

$250,000 in total awards
20 community winners receive $10,000 each
One winner receives an additional $50,000 Ontario Votes Award

The Small Business Big Impact program focuses on supporting and celebrating Small Businesses across Northern and Eastern Ontario, Southern Ontario, the Greater Toronto Area, Niagara/Hamilton, and Indigenous businesses. This regional strategy ensures that recognition extends beyond large urban centers and includes small businesses  that contribute to communities across the province.

From the 20 community winners, five businesses will advance to the Ontario Votes stage, where Ontarians will have the opportunity to vote to determine which business receives an additional $50,000 award. Public voting will take place in March 2027.

This element also encourages Ontarians to identify and support businesses that make a difference in their communities. Meridian’s recognition of both small businesses and non-profit groups reinforces an essential message: corporate influence can take numerous forms, from developing sustainable products and sustaining local jobs to solving social issues and increasing community well-being.

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Beyond Banking: Meridian’s Commitment to Small Business Growth

Supporting businesses entails more than just praising their accomplishments. Access to capital, tailored financial advice, and reliable banking solutions are essential for businesses looking to establish themselves, navigate volatility, and grow. Meridian’s approach to small business banking reflects these practical requirements. Meridian credit union supports entrepreneurs at every stage of their business by providing funding, cash management solutions, and professional financial advice. Its business banking services include commercial and small business financing, equipment financing, payment solutions, and tools for day-to-day financial management. These services help organizations manage operations and prepare for growth opportunities.

What sets the Small Business Big Impact Awards apart is how they complement Meridian’s broader business banking commitment. Financial services support day-to-day operations, while the awards recognize business owners for their contributions to their communities. Importantly, businesses don’t have to be Meridian Business Members to be eligible, allowing entrepreneurs from across Ontario to participate regardless of their banking institution.

Expanding Financial Opportunities for Underrepresented Entrepreneurs

Meridian’s dedication to small businesses also includes efforts to expand access to funding for entrepreneurs who have previously faced barriers to traditional financing. Meridian offers a Business Accelerator Loan Program supported by the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), designed to promote inclusive growth and improve access to working capital for entrepreneurs including those from equity-deserving communities, including women, Indigenous peoples, newcomers, visible minorities, 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities.

Meridian has also adopted an inclusive and comprehensive Indigenous banking strategy to help guide commercial lending decisions and expand economic reach of banking services for Ontario’s growing Indigenous entrepreneurs and First Nation communities. These initiatives demonstrate how tailored financial solutions and dedicated banking products can help entrepreneurs access the financial resources and support they need to strengthen their enterprises and engage more competitively in the Ontario economy. The Small Business Big Impact Awards also provide an important avenue to recognize Indigenous enterprises from many diverse communities and backgrounds.

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Celebrating the Entrepreneurs Behind Community Change

The stories of small businesses that have previously received prize funds from Meridian’s Small Business Big Impact program reveal the genuine value of the program’s accolades. One example is Do Good Donuts, which won the Small Business Big Impact award in 2022. The company blends the excitement of making fresh donuts with meaningful job-training opportunities for young people with intellectual and developmental challenges. Another recipient, Community Builders, earned a community award in 2023 for its efforts in skills development and community opportunity. In 2024, 541 Eatery & Exchange received a community award, demonstrating the program’s sustained focus on enterprises making a positive social impact.

These examples show how small enterprises can be effective agents of social change. Whether through workforce development, inclusive employment, or community-focused services, entrepreneurs are demonstrating that business activity and social responsibility can coexist. Meridian recognizes deserving groups while encouraging other company owners to consider how their enterprises might help build stronger communities.

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An Opportunity for Ontario Small Businesses to Shine

Nominations for the 2026 Small Business Big Impact Awards opened October 1 and close November 30, 2026. Eligible businesses must be registered small businesses operating solely in Ontario, have fewer than 50 employees, generate less than $10 million in annual revenue and have been operating for more than 12 months. Non-profit businesses and registered charities are also eligible. Businesses must nominate themselves, and applicants do not need to be Meridian Business Members to participate.

Participation lets entrepreneurs reflect on their triumphs, share their business stories, and show how their work benefits the wider community.

Building a Stronger Small Business Ecosystem Together

As entrepreneurs face rising operational costs, competitive marketplaces, and shifting customer expectations, banking institutions must continue to provide effective support. Meridian’s Small Business Big Impact Awards demonstrate the importance of rewarding businesses not only for their financial achievement, but also for their dedication to people, communities, and long-term prosperity. Meridian aims to help Ontario entrepreneurs flourish while promoting positive change through financial services, targeted lending, and community recognition programs.

At CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, we value projects that honour entrepreneurial resilience, promote inclusive growth, and give small businesses the attention they deserve. Meridian’s Small Business Big Impact Awards, for example, highlight the critical role that entrepreneurs play in strengthening local economies and communities across Canada.

As the 2026 nominations continue, the program reinforces a simple idea at the heart of the Small Business Big Impact Awards: small businesses can make an outsized difference in the communities they serve.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and is intended for informational purposes only. CanadianSME Small Business Magazine does not endorse or guarantee any products or services mentioned. Readers should conduct independent research and due diligence before making business decisions.