From CTV:
New $100M loan program to support rural and remote businesses
The Business Development Bank of Canada is contributing $100 million to a new loan program with Community Futures offices. The initiative aims to provide rural and remote entrepreneurs with greater access to capital, with individual loans of up to $500,000. Lydia Chubak reports.
Presidents’ Insights: BDC and CF Network of Canada
Isabelle Hudon, President and Chief Executive Officer, BDC
And
Troy Dungate, President of Community Futures Network of Canada
From CTV:
New $100M loan program to support rural and remote businesses
The Business Development Bank of Canada is contributing $100 million to a new loan program with Community Futures offices. The initiative aims to provide rural and remote entrepreneurs with greater access to capital, with individual loans of up to $500,000. Lydia Chubak reports.
Presidents’ Insights: BDC and CF Network of Canada
Isabelle Hudon, President and Chief Executive Officer, BDC
And
Troy Dungate, President of Community Futures Network of Canada
Supporting Canada’s 267 Community Futures organizations
Community Futures Network of Canada
About Community Futures. We operate 267 non-profit offices across Canada that provide small business services to people living in rural and remote communities. Each office delivers small business loans, tools, training and events for people wanting to start, expand, franchise or sell a business. Read some success stories or click on your province (above) to find the nearest office. About the Community Futures Network of Canada (CFNC). Our association actively supports Canada’s 267 member offices. We are guided by a Board of Directors made up of Community Futures representatives from across the country.
According to the CFNC Bylaws, the class of CFNC Members are divided into five groups of Members:
- the “Atlantic Group” composed of Associations from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador;
- the “Quebec Group” composed of the Association from Quebec;
- the “Ontario Group” composed of the Association from Ontario;
- the “Western Group” composed of Associations from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia; and
- the “Territories Group” composed of Associations from Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut
The current CFNC Board of Directors is composed of:
- Roseanne Leonard (Atlantic)
- Wayne Power (Atlantic)
- Pascal Harvey (Quebec)
- Jean Laroche (Quebec)
- Suzanne Viel (Ontario)
- Allan Simm (Ontario)
- Linda Martin (Territories)
- Troy Dungate (Western)
- Jason Denbow (Western)
Board of Directors Advisors (non-voting):
- Colette Close, Project Manager, Community Futures Pan West
- Susan Evans, Executive Director, Community Futures Ontario
- Basil Ryan, Chief Operating Officer, Atlantic Association of CBDCs
- Pierre-Olivier Colas, Assistant General Director, Reseau des SADC + CAE
Funding for Community Futures offices and the CFNC Network is provided by the Government of Canada’s Regional Development Agencies.
Community Futures and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) have a longstanding collaboration dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs in rural and remote communities across Canada. Together, they now offer the Business Elevation Loan, which enables small businesses to access larger loans and tailored support through their local Community Futures office. To learn more about the Business Elevation Loan, contact your local office.
Want to know more about our network? Get in touch. The CFNC is engaged in three main areas:
We work with national decision makers to ensure the long-term sustainability of Community Futures. We initiate cost-saving programs and progressive policies to maximize the impact of our members’ efforts.
Through the direction of its Representation Committee, the Community Futures Network of Canada (CFNC) is focused on offering strong representation of the Community Futures Program to the Government of Canada and other targeted audiences. This mandate is accomplished by providing up-to-date information related to the National Community Futures Program – its impacts, successes, and best practices – to specific targeted groups. Also, with the assistance of a variety of ad-hoc committees, the CFNC continuously evaluates and explores ways and means that common CF/CBDC initiatives can be worked on collectively on a national basis so that local CF/CBDCs are able to gain some efficiencies and economies of scale.
We provide a wide range of member services including specialized professional development and training and group discounts.
With the assistance of its Best Practices Committee, a key focus of the Community Futures Network of Canada (CFNC) is to gather and share information online on a wide variety of new and improved CF initiatives, processes and practices that will provide benefit to both staff and volunteers of CF/CBDCs across Canada.
We actively work to gather and share information between Community Futures offices in the interest of building valuable links and networks that help us serve our clients better.
Communication and collaboration is the essence of the Community Futures Network of Canada (CFNC). Each year the CFNC produces an Annual Review that showcases some of the successes of the CF/CBDCs from across the country and documents the significant contribution that the Community Futures Program is making in starting and growing new businesses, as well as helping to revitalize Canada’s rural communities. Every three years the CFNC organizes a national conference that brings together hundreds of Community Futures volunteers and staff from each province and territory to meet, share information and learn from each other about the incredible work that is being accomplished through the efforts of their local community organizations that are the backbone of the Community Futures Program of Canada.
Community Futures Organizations’ Unwavering Support for Economic Recovery in Times of Disaster
History of the Community Futures Program
Rural & Resilient: A Message from our Clients Across Canada
Careers
Each Community Futures office employs a number of core staff positions, including a General Manager, Business Analyst, Community Economic Development Officer and Administrator. Brief descriptions for these positions are listed below. Community Futures core positions are supported by on-the-job and other forms of training that support career advancement locally and nationally. Check out the opportunities below or click on your province (above) for job openings.
General Manager or Executive Director
Proven leadership experience as a developmental lender and working with not-for-profit boards.
Business Analyst / Business Officer
Expertise conducive to providing lending advice to and coaching/training for start-up and expanding small and medium-sized enterprises within targeted industry clusters.
Community Economic Development Officer
Expertise conducive to supporting and promoting entrepreneurial communities especially in the areas of identified industry clusters. CED Officers work in collaboration with Regional Economic Development Alliance or REDA staff and municipal economic development officers.
Administrator
Expertise conducive to managing bookkeeping and accounts receivable/payable, providing project management assistance, supporting CF board and management.
Resources
Links
Regional Development Agencies
- Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
- Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor)
- Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev)
- In British Columbia, we are now Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan)
- In Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, we are now Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)
- Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT)
- Government of Nunavut (GNU)
Partners
- Innovation Canada – Support for Entrepreneurs & Businesses
- Business Development Bank of Canada
- Canada Business Services and Information
- Canada Small Business Financing Program
- Association of Canadian Community Colleges
- Federation of Canadian Municipalities
- Canadian Community Economic Development Network
- Canadian Rural Revitalization Network
- Canadian Foundations of Canada
- Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
- 2022 Community Futures National Event Partners
Publications
- Annual Report 2024
- Annual Report 2023
- 2023 Annual Report (Flip Book)
- Annual Report 2022
- Annual Report 2021
- Annual Report 2020
- Horizontal Review of the Community Futures Program – June 2019
- Annual Report 2019
- Annual Report 2018
- Annual Report 2017
- An Entrepreneurial Approach to Job Creation in Rural Canada
- Annual Report 2016
- The CFDC and CBDCs – A Winning Approach for Community Futures
- Annual Report 2015
- Annual Report 2014
- Annual Report 2013
- Annual Report 2012
- Annual Report 2011
- Annual Report 2010
- Annual Report 2009
News
Reaching further: A new $100M boost for the 520,000 entrepreneurs in rural and remote communities
“At BDC, we believe that every entrepreneur, no matter where they live, deserves a fair chance to grow their business. Rural and remote communities are full of bold, resilient business owners who often face more barriers and fewer resources”, said Isabelle Hudon, President and Chief Executive Officer of BDC. “This initiative with Community Futures/SADC+CAE/CBDC allows us to do what a development bank should: go where others don’t, and build bridges where gaps exist. We’re unlocking potential that’s been overlooked for too long. We believe that’s what our economy needs right now.”
“Joining forces with BDC to supercharge the opportunities and resources available to rural and remote entrepreneurs from coast-to-coast-to-coast is a powerful combination that will result in significant impact throughout the country for decades to come,” said Troy Dungate, President of Community Futures/SADC+CAE/CBDC. “BDC is committing to investing $100M to bolster businesses that often face strong headwinds simply due to geography and the vast nature of our country. This commitment, combined with our boots-on-the-ground, grassroots knowledge is an intelligent way to ensure that this capital infusion is dispersed through loans to new and existing entrepreneurs that are ready to bring their business to the next level. Additionally, we know that many entrepreneurs in rural Canada are attracted to the work because of the desirable lifestyle it creates for their families. Working together, we expect this to make positive, meaningful change in the lives of individual Canadians and our country as a whole.”
This initiative with Community Futures/SADC+CAE/CBDC builds on BDC’s broader commitment to develop entrepreneurial potential in all its forms and to help grow the Canadian economy. Since launching our Community Banking initiative in November 2024, BDC teamed up with financial institutions and community lending partners that support underserved groups. By joining this network of trusted partners, Community Futures/SADC+CAE/CBDC should help us reach even more business owners in rural and remote areas. It’s about meeting entrepreneurs where they are and helping them grow.
This announcement comes just before Small Business Week, a national celebration of Canadian entrepreneurship that BDC has organized for more than 45 years. This year’s theme is The economic revolution is here – get your business ready.
BDC and Community Futures/SADC+CAE/CBDC are stepping up to help entrepreneurs in rural and remote communities—who are vital contributors to Canada’s economy—have the resources they need to thrive.
About BDC: 80 years as Canada’s bank for entrepreneurs
BDC is a partner of choice for all entrepreneurs looking to access the financing and advice they need to build their businesses and tackle the big challenges of our time. Our investment arm, BDC Capital, offers a wide range of risk capital solutions to help grow the most innovative firms. BDC’s development role means we are in a state of perpetual evolution – wherever entrepreneurs go and whatever the Canadian economy needs – we will be there to help them defy the odds. 80 years later, that commitment remains very much alive. Our financing and investments in fiscal 2025 will add an estimated $25 billion to Canada’s GDP over the next five years. We are one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers and Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, and the first financial institution in Canada to receive the B Corp certification in 2013. For more information on our products and services and to consult free tools, templates and articles, visit bdc.ca or join BDC on social media.
About Community Futures/SADC+CAE/CBDC
The Community Futures/SADC+CAE/CBDC (CFNC) represents 267 Community Futures Organizations (CFO) – non-profit community economic development offices in rural and remote communities from coast to coast to coast. A true grassroots organization, CFNC is bolstered by passionate people: 2,951 board volunteers and 1,230 staff. Together, they cleverly and compassionately apply their local knowledge and experience to make local decisions to support their communities and entrepreneurs. Each CFO provides business development services, loans, and financing to small and medium-sized businesses as a developmental lender. CFOs play a pivotal role in rural and remote communities by providing access to financing and tailored supports that start, grow, and sustain businesses where no other supports exist. Together, we strengthen local economies, create jobs, enhance community cohesion, nurture local economies and contribute to the country’s global competitiveness.
Since 2000, the Community Futures Program has loaned more than $6.3 billion to 135,000 businesses, leveraged $11.3 billion and influenced 779,856 employment opportunities.
News Release – May 2022
The Community Futures Network of Canada (CFNC) held its national conference in Ottawa on May 8-10, 2022 to highlight the contributions the Community Futures Program has made in helping Canada’s rural, remote and Indigenous communities become more sustainable. The three-day event brought together more than 500 decision makers and industry leaders from all 13 provinces and territories to network, share best practices, and learn new approaches to developing strong, economically sustainable communities.
One of the highlights of the event was a reception on Monday evening, May 9th, at the Westin Ottawa that was attended by more than 50 Members of Parliament from all parties. The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, delivered the opening remarks at the reception.
“Important programs like Community Futures remind us that for Canada to succeed, we need our rural and remote communities to thrive. The Government of Canada is committed to continuing to support the economic growth and resilience of rural Canada. Budget 2022 proposes a range of important programs and initiatives to support Canadians living and working in rural communities. We all need to double down, and support the economic diversification and sustainability of our villages, towns, hamlets and coves from coast-to-coast-coast,” said the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development.
The conference also featured opening remarks from the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister Responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) on behalf of Canada’s regional development agencies, and a keynote address by Sébastien Sasseville whose presentation, “One Step at a Time: Thriving in Change to Win the Long Game,” set the tone for the whole conference.
“By utilizing their regional knowledge and ability to provide direct on-the-ground support to the unique rural communities they serve, Community Futures Development Corporations play a vital role in delivering support, building partnerships and providing mentorship to rural businesses and organizations,” said the Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).
Other speakers included change management specialist Mark DeVolder on leading organizations through change, scientist and astronaut Dr. Shawna Pandya on success, failure and resilience, and Kyle Larkin on grassroots advocacy.
Empowering SMEs to drive sustainable economic growth
Click here: Empowering SMEs to drive sustainable economic growth
Press Release – May 2020
On behalf of the Community Futures Network of Canada and the 268 Community Futures Organizations located in rural areas and territories across Canada, we welcome Minister Joly’s announcement on the new Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) of which $287M dollars have been allocated to the Community Futures Network.
This funding will be targeted towards rural businesses that may require additional help to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and have been unable to access existing support measures.
The Community Futures Program has been serving rural communities for over 30 years. Each office operates as an individual non-profit corporation, with its own volunteer board of directors and its own portfolio of lending products and services. This means that the local board takes into consideration additional factors that a traditional bank may not, and it means the application turnaround can be much faster and efficient.
The Community Futures Network looks forward to working with the Regional Development Agencies to deliver the funding to rural businesses as quickly and efficiently as possible.
To learn more about the financing and business support services available through Community Futures organizations, please contact your local or provincial Community Futures organization for details. To access contact information for each provincial/regional Community Futures organization, please visit communityfuturescanada.ca and select your province.
Press Release – April 2020
On behalf of the Community Futures Network of Canada and the 267 Community Futures Organizations located in rural areas and territories across Canada, we applaud the Prime Minister’s announcement from Friday, April 17th where $287M dollars have been allocated to the Community Futures Network.
This funding will be allocated towards smaller employers and businesses located in rural parts of the country who do not qualify for the recently announced wage subsidy or loans or still need assistance in managing their operations through these challenging times.
As Canadians work together to limit the spread of COVID-19, the severe financial impacts of the pandemic and physical distancing measures have been particularly challenging for rural communities and the small businesses that they rely on to provide essential goods and services. The loss of one of these businesses in a small community, where there are no other local options, can be devastating. And we know that some of the greatest impacts, in seasonal industries like tourism, are yet to come.
That’s why we are so appreciative of the supports announced today by Prime Minister Trudeau.
The higher operating costs faced by rural small businesses and the smaller markets that they serve mean that the current loss of revenues is felt harder, and that their road to recovery will be longer and more challenging. The funds announced today will go a long way towards making that road easier to travel.
Initiatives
We are proud to introduce some small and exceptional businesses that, thanks to our help, contractors from rural regions were able to start and make them grow.
Pan Canada Success Stories Brochure, 2022
In partnership between the Community Futures Provincial Associations, a brochure was created to highlight significant clients from across the country, and the benefit the Community Futures Program has within our communities.
Contact us
Community Futures Network of Canada
300 South Edgeware Road
St. Thomas, ON N5P 4L1
For information contact: Diana Jedig
T: 1.888.633.2326, ext. 5
Email: admin@communityfuturescanada.ca