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 Canadian charity, Windmill is committed to supporting immigrants and refugees on their journey to success. We offer affordable 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

Your donation can transforms lives

Support our cause and discover how a small donation, can make a meaningful impact in the lives of immigrants and refugees in Canada.

How we help

Thanks to all the generous donations, 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, Windmill's 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

$120 million

In approved loans

Over $120 million have been invested in new Canadians; Windmill aims to help thousands of more newcomers rebuild their careers.

12,500+

Approved loans

Over 12,500 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.

96%

Historical repayment rate

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

Real stories, real impact

Charles

Lawyer

Charles, a lawyer with 20+ years of experience from Nigeria, faced challenges re-entering his profession in Canada without a license. Working as a security guard, he struggled to balance studying for exams with supporting his family. With a loan from Windmill Microlending, he covered exam fees and dedicated time to study. Today, Charles practices law in Canada, fulfilling his dream of returning to his profession.

Binal

Dentist

Binal, an established dentist in India, moved to Canada in 2014 and began working at a sandwich shop to support her family. Despite long shifts handling meat products as a vegetarian, her life changed when she connected with her Windmill career coach, Robert. With support from a Windmill loan, Binal completed her exams and is now back to her profession, bringing smiles to her patients.

Payam

Physician

Payam immigrated to Canada to continue his medical education and secure a residency. The path to obtaining a medical license was challenging, requiring costly exams and certifications. With financial assistance from Windmill Microlending, Payam covered these expenses, easing the financial burden and letting him focus on his studies. Despite the challenges of recertifying skills and adjusting to life in a new country, Payam eventually matched into a family medicine residency at the University of British Columbia.

Mina

Teacher

Mina and her husband moved to Calgary in April 2020, seeking freedom and better opportunities due to political unrest in Iran. Despite pandemic challenges and job shortages, Mina pursued TESOL certification with a $6,000 Windmill loan. She rebuilt her teaching career, advancing to a management role while continuing to teach part-time. Mina now shares her experiences with other immigrants, advising them to focus on building a new life in Canada without comparing it to their past.

Parikshit

Psychotherapist

Parikshit, originally from India, moved to Canada in 2019 to study psychotherapy. Facing financial challenges during an internship in BC, he turned to Windmill for support. The loan helped him cover living expenses, complete his studies, and become a registered counsellor. He now works in BC, supports an online mental health initiative in India, and credits Windmill for helping him achieve his career goals and find meaningful work in his field.

Liliana

Osteopath

Liliana, originally a dentist from Bogota, Colombia, now lives in Barrie, Ontario, and has found a new career in healthcare. After moving to Canada in 2019, she faced accreditation barriers and financial challenges, leading Liliana to work in a factory. With a Windmill loan, she retrained in osteopathy and now finds joy in helping her clients. Liliana plans to open a clinic with her husband in the near future. 

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