Community Futures Program - CFP

Eligibility Criteria

Summary

The mandate of the Community Futures Development Corporations is community and business development. Each CFDC delivers a variety of services ranging from:

• local strategic economic planning;
• technical and advisory services to businesses;
• loans to small and medium enterprises;
• self-employment assistance programs; and
• services targeted to youth and entrepreneurs with disabilities.

CFDC Loan Program

A wide range of services and financing opportunities are available to small businesses and entrepreneurs at the local CFDC. In general, businesses seeking financing must:

• be located in a rural area of one of the four Western provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia);
• be operating, or about to operate, in a designated CFDC area;
• contribute to local economic growth;
• be seeking financing of up to $150 000.

Loans on commercial terms, equity financing, and loan guarantees are available through the CFDCs. Applications are assessed by the CFDC's local volunteer Board of Directors. Training and assistance on preparing business plans are also available at the CFDC offices.

CFDCs also deliver the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program, which provide loans of up to $125 000 to entrepreneurs with disabilities (see the document Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program).

As each CFDC community is different, specific financing activities undertaken by each individual CFDC varies from community to community. For further information, contact the Community Futures Development Corporation in your area.

Finding your CFDC

To find the CFDC that services your community, please visit WD's Business Service Network database or refer to the document specific to each province.

For more information, please visit the WD Web site or the Web site of the Western Canada Community Futures Association.

Note: "non-profit" also known as non-profit organizations, non profit organizations, not-for-profit organizations, voluntary organizations and volunteer organizations.

Alberta Contact(s):
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Suite 1500, Canada Place
9700 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta  T5J 4H7
Telephone: (780) 495-4164
Fax: (780) 495-4557
Toll-free (information): 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
E-mail: info.alberta@wd.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.deo.gc.ca/default_e.asp

British Columbia Contact(s):
Community Futures Development Association of BC
Room 880, Marine Building
355 Berrard Street
Vancouver, British Columbia  V6C 2G8
Telephone: (604) 685-2332
Fax: (604) 681-6575
Toll-free (information): 1-866-685-3223
E-mail: info@communityfutures.ca
Web site: http://www.communityfutures.ca/provincial/bc/index.html

Manitoba Contact(s):
Canada/Manitoba Business Service Centre
250 - 240 Graham Ave
P.O. Box 2609
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R3C 4B3
Canada
Telephone: 204-984-2272
Fax: 204-983-3852
Toll-free (information): 1-800-665-2019
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
TTY (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: manitoba@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.cbsc.org/manitoba
Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday

Saskatchewan Contact(s):
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Room 601, S.J. Cohen Building
119 - 4th Avenue South
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan  S7K 3S7
Telephone: (306) 975-4373
Fax: (306) 975-5484
Toll-free (information): 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
E-mail: info.sask@wd.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.deo.gc.ca/default_e.asp