​What is LIFT all about?

LIFT supplies small loans and business coaching to people in Lunenburg County who would like to start a small business or grow an existing business. 

​LIFT is not a bank, or a government program – we are a group of community-minded people focused on social good, and on making Lunenburg County a great place to live for everyone.

You may qualify* if :

• you are a resident of Lunenburg County, or are planning to move here​​ 
• have a business idea or a growing business which might benefit our area 
• need less than $10,000 to get underway​​

We would love to connect and see if we're a fit for your needs.​
​Get started by contacting us in one of these three easy ways!

APPLICATION FORM

EMAIL US at [email protected]

CALL US at 902-529-0016

The Backstory

Fifty years ago, a 31-year-old man had a wife, a child, and a business idea. He had no savings, few assets, and his bank had turned down his request for a loan. He persevered, and found a neighbour willing to finance his idea. His business grew; he was successful and chose to live in Lunenburg County. Wayne and his late wife Mary Ann established the Fulcher Foundation in 2015. The Foundation’s donation of one million dollars establishes a fund to provide small loans to people with great business ideas and the entrepreneurial drive to make Lunenburg County a vibrant place. Wayne believes LIFT can help others in the same way his neighbour’s belief in him got him started with his own business. 

"I have been in the same shoes as many of the applicants who will request assistance. As a young man, I didn't have the financial resources myself or family and friends with the money to help me get started."
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​- Wayne Fulcher

Meet the team

Evelyn Ernst
Success Agent and Loan Facilitator

Evelyn is the person behind the phone calls and emails, handling inquiries and applications with the support of the Advisory Group. 

​As a founder of Terra Beata Farms, Evelyn has 25 years of experience with all the ups and downs of starting and running a family business in Lunenburg County. She grew up near Chester, and now lives with her husband and the youngest of her four children just outside of Lunenburg. 
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Advisory Committee

Lynn Hennigar

Lynn Hennigar sold her family newspaper business in 2015 and retired from a 30 year career as a newspaper publisher 2017. Lynn is a life long community leader, volunteer, philanthropist and former Town councillor.  Today Lynn serves as chair of the Mahone Bay Centre, and lends her support to a number of businesses, organizations and community initiatives. She lives in Mahone Bay. 

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Gordon Prince

Gordon Prince has been self employed as a business software developer since 1995. A native of Bridgewater, Gordon has divided his time between the US and Lunenburg County for many years until returning to Nova Scotia full time in 2018. Still actively engaged in software development for his clients, he wants to help others get their chance at starting – and succeeding – at  their own business.
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Jennifer Naugler

Jennifer Naugler is the owner of Simple Local Life, a media company celebrating life on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, which promotes local businesses and events through Facebook Live series, content creation, local gift guides and more. Simple Local Life is a trusted resource in her small, rural market. Jennifer volunteers her time with the United Way, Rooted Food Project, Souls Harbour and the Bridgewater Garden Club. 

John Kinley

Currently a manager of a local real estate development agency, John Kinley has a varied background including biology, political science, philosophy, business, and graphic design. John is a firm believer that a diverse background improves 
​management and design abilities and also provides the ability to adapt, which is so crucial in a business environment. John has started his own businesses, some of them successful and others not so much, but all leading to an understanding of what it takes to be dedicated to an idea and see it through. John lives with his wife just outside of Lunenburg and is a proud father of two beautiful daughters. He volunteers as a coach for a local fencing club and contributes to a variety of boards and committees.

Dale Kelly

Dale has 40 years of business experience, mostly in agriculture or related industries; predominantly in executive roles. He has expertise in financing, starting new companies, and coaching organizations to higher levels of performance. His specialties are in leadership, not-for-profit organizations, government liaison, management challenges, board governance,  change management, and entrepreneurial efforts.
Dale’s life work has included extensive global travel and these experiences have provided a helpful view of our responsibilities as world citizens. He feels truly privileged to call Canada home; and believes we Canadians are all very fortunate compared to many on this planet.
Dale and his wife Jocelyn live near Lunenburg. He enjoys working outdoors, boating, reading, golfing on occasion, and time with friends/family.

John Crace

A semi-retired architect, John lives with his wife Pamela in a 19th century farmhouse near Mahone Bay. With their dog, Piper, they keep a few chickens,
honeybees, and a large garden.
John serves on several boards and has been a member of the Nova Scotia Round Table for the Environment and Sustainable Prosperity since 2016. He created and, until 2019, delivered a course in Entrepreneurship at the
Dalhousie School of Architecture. He publishes the odd cartoon and plays tenor saxophone in the Mahone Bay
Legion Swing Band.

​*The Fine Print

*Loans from LIFT are designed to be paid back over 1 or 2 years. 
*Loans are subject to an interest rate similar to current market rates. 
​*Loans include business coaching unique to each client’s needs. 
 *Clients are required to report on the success of their business every month until the loan is paid back.
​*Applications are evaluated with social good in mind (how the business will benefit the community)

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