New to Canada? Advance your career with a Windmill loan.

We are a national charity, offering skilled immigrants and refugees financial support through affordable loans of up to $15,000 at a 6.7% low-interest rate. Use this to pay for higher education, accreditation, training, career development and more.

Your donation transforms lives

Every $1 donated to Windmill Microlending, results in $5.52 of social and economic value, as recognized by the Veritas Foundation.

An award-winning, fast-growing charity

Since 2005, Windmill has proudly served skilled immigrants and newcomers to Canada as a registered non-profit charity. In 2023, we were recognized as the fastest growing charity in Canada by the Veritas Foundation, along with being acknowledged as Canada’s top performing charity in the ‘Relieving Poverty’ sector.

Empowering skilled newcomers to succeed

Immigration enriches Canada’s economy with a diverse workforce and highly skilled professionals. Yet, immigrants and refugees often struggle to get hired in their fields. Are you a newcomer wondering when will you will be a doctor, nurse, or engineer again?

As a registered charity, Windmill is committed to supporting immigrants and refugees on their journey to success. We offer affordable fixed-interest loans and professional development resources to help you:

Pay for upskilling, accreditation, education, training, and living costs

Overcome credential recognition issues, lack of funding, and credit limitations

Integrate successfully into Canada’s economy by leveraging
your much-needed skills and experience

Immigrant doctor playing doctor with her daughter

Transform lives today

Discover how you can change the lives of skilled immigrants and make a meaningful impact.

How we help

Windmill provides financial support and wraparound services, including mentorship and career coaching, to help skilled immigrants and refugees advance their careers in Canada. We also empower our clients with financial education and coaching, equipping them to identify scams and avoid predatory lending practices.

Loans

We offer low-interest loans of up to $15,000, exclusively for skilled immigrants and refugees. Pay for the accreditation, training or career development you need to achieve career success in Canada. Our loans are tailored to your unique circumstances and needs.

Career Support

Everything you need to know about accreditation, financial planning, and in-demand jobs in Canada is right here. Excel in your profession with resources in our Career Planning and Success Centre.

Mentorship

Exclusive for our clients, the Windmill Mentorship Program connects you with an experienced professional employed in your field. Gain valuable insights, navigate the Canadian labour market, and acquire skills to secure employment that matches your experience and education.

Making a difference

$100 million

In approved loans

Over $100 million have been invested in new Canadians; Windmill aims to help thousands of more newcomers rebuild their careers.

11,000+

Approved loans

Over 11,000 new Canadians have received the support they need to start anew in Canada, making dreams a reality and forging a brighter future.

Over 3x

Growth in income

Newcomers take on low-income jobs to survive. Windmill helps our clients return to their trained profession to boost their income by over 3 times.

75%

Decrease in unemployment

As our borrowers take their next steps, employment opportunities soar upon loan repayment, marking the start of a remarkable journey and booming economy.

95%

Historical repayment rate

Our borrowers’ dedication shines through in their impressive repayment rate, showcasing their determination, skills, and the impact of their success.

Meet our clients

Windmill loans have helped thousands of clients just like you
Read their inspiring stories

Jerome

Physician

Even without credit history they approved my loan...Thanks to Windmill, I am now practicing medicine in Canada.

Jerome

Physician

Seun

Pharmacist

Without the Windmill loan, I would have had to borrow from family and friends. It helped me be independent and in charge of my life. It gave me peace of mind. I love that the loan is tailored to immigrants.

Seun

Pharmacist

Binal

Dentist

The loan helped me with childcare expenses and my schooling. Thanks to Windmill, I am loving my life as a dentist again.

Binal

Dentist

Shekar

IT Professional

I thought when I came to Canada that I would have equal opportunities. I never thought that there was an elephant in the room called ‘Canadian experience’. This was something that was never talked about by anybody.

Shekar

IT Professional

Qingzhu (Kelly)

IT Professional

Magical things happen, Thanks to Windmill, I totally changed my life.

Qingzhu (Kelly)

IT Professional

Awards and accolades

5-star Rated Charity

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

2022

 

Fastest-Growing Charity

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

2022

 

Canada’s Top Performing Charity

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

2022

 

Best Nonprofit Employer

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

2021

 

Finalist

Canada’s Top Performing Charity

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The Veritas Foundation logo

2022

Canada’s Top Performing Charity

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The Veritas Foundation logo

2022

 

2022

Canada’s Top Performing Charity

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The Veritas Foundation logo

2022

 

2022

Canada’s Top Performing Charity

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The Veritas Foundation logo

2022

 

2022

Our financial supporters

Windmill Microlending is proud to be supported in part by these generous funders

Hear from our supporters

I grew up with immigrant parents. While they were not educated, many of our close family friends were. I was struck, at a very young age, by how it seemed unfair that new Canadians came to Canada to pursue their dreams, often at Canada's invitation, only to find that they could not afford to reclaim their professions by paying for accreditation, courses, and exams. I aspired to kick-start momentum of Windmill's activities in British Columbia by launching BC PALs.

John Montalbano

Principal, Tower Beach Capital Limited and Windmill's Treasurer and Chair, Finance and Risk Management Committee

Windmill is a remarkably productive non-profit model. Loans, created by donations, get recycled between beneficiaries every four years and donations of loan capital are working 100% of the time, for 100% of the value.

Helen McLean

Donner Canadian Foundation

Windmill Microlending is an exceptionally impactful charity that excels across the board in its performance and mission to support newcomers to Canada. For every $1 donated to Windmill, we calculate there is $5.52 in social and economic return created. This result exceeds the average return range for all 46,000 Charities in our research of $2.00-$2.25. I would recommend donating to Windmill if you want tremendous return on your charitable investment.

Mark S. Bonham

The Veritas Foundation

Manulife’s impact agenda is helping to drive inclusive economic opportunities that benefit us all. Manulife is proud to partner with organizations like Windmill to help provide access to financial products and services, like the microloans offered to skilled Canadian immigrants and refugees, because we know the profound impact they have on people’s lives and their ability to prepare for their future.”

Naveed Irshad

Manulife Canada