Community Futures Program

C ommunity Futures (CF) is a program that supports community economic development and builds the capacity of communities to realize their full sustainable potential.

The purpose of the CF Program is to help communities develop and implement local solutions to local problems. The program provides financial support to Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) and CF Organizations that, in collaboration with other partners and stakeholders, can assess their situation and develop strategies to meet their needs, to provide support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and Social Enterprises and to undertake appropriate community economic development initiatives. 

CFDCs offer a wide variety of programs and services supporting community economic development and small business growth, including:

• strategic community planning and socio-economic development
• support for community-based projects
• business information and planning services and
• access to capital for small and medium-sized businesses and social enterprises.

Eligibility Criteria

Organizations, entrepreneurs, small-to-medium businesses and social enterprises located in Northern Ontario and rural Southern Ontario residing within the boundaries of the 61 Community Futures Development Corporations are eligible for CFDC support and services.

Target Groups

• small-to-medium business owners and entrepreneurs
• export firms
• municipalities
• local economic development organizations
• social enterprises

• third party organizations that provide advice or services to the above

Summary

FedNor is a federal regional development organization in Ontario that works with a variety of partners, as both a facilitator and catalyst, to help create an environment in which communities can thrive, businesses can grow and people can prosper.

Delivered through FedNor, the Government of Canada's Community Futures Program supports 61 Community Futures Development Corporations – 24 located in Northern Ontario, and the remaining 37 serving rural Southern Ontario.

The Community Futures Program provides funding to CFDCs to support one or more of the following activities:

• strategic community economic development planning
• business development
• skills development
• access to capital
• retention and attraction of youth
• technological enhancements
• economic development projects

What are some of the terms and conditions of the financing offered to small businesses by CFDCs?

CFDCs administer local investment funds to help finance new or existing small businesses and social enterprises for start-up, expansion or stabilization plans that help maintain or create jobs.

Repayable financing of up to $150 000 on commercial terms through loans, loan guarantees or equity investments is available when financing from other sources is insufficient. All CFDC financing decisions are made at the community level by the local boards of directors.

With locations throughout Northern Ontario and rural Southern Ontario, CFDCs are well positioned to offer local solutions to local needs. For more information about services and programs offered in your area, contact the toll-free number 1-866-668-2332 or visit the following Web sites:

• CFDC in Ontario 
• FedNor 

For a listing of local CFDC offices in Ontario, please contact the Canada Business service centre and request the document for:

• Community Futures Development Corporations in Ontario - Postal Code L;
• Community Futures Development Corporations in Ontario - Postal Code N;
• Community Futures Development Corporations in Ontario - Postal Code K;
• Community Futures Development Corporations in Ontario - Postal Code P .

Ontario Contact(s):
Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations Inc.
Community Futures Development Corporation
300 South Edgeware Road
St. Thomas, Ontario  N5P 4L1
Telephone: (519) 633-2326
Fax: (519) 633-3563
Toll-free (information): 1-888-633-2326
E-mail: info@oacfdc.com
Web site: http://www.ontcfdc.com
Hours of operation: Bilingual Services available.