Community Futures Ontario (formerly the Ontario Association for Community Futures Development Corporations Inc.) represents 61 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) - 37 in southern Ontario and 24 in the north - that offer free business counselling, loans for start-up and expansion of small business, strategic planning on local projects and community economic development in rural areas. CFDCs provide flexible, repayable loans to small and medium sized businesses and are locally managed by a volunteer Board of Directors and funded with federal government support.
Core Purpose
In a collaborative manner, we support and strengthen CFDC members
Envisioned Future
CFDCs are sustainable with the resources to help drive economic development throughout Ontario
Organizational Values
- Accountability to our members and our funders through ongoing communication and transparency in all our actions and operations.
- Collaboration and cooperation with our partners to achieve our mutual goal of rural economic prosperity.
- Responsive to the needs of our members through ongoing active dialogue and timely responses.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES 2024 - 2026
Advocate for rural community economic development
CFDCs throughout Ontario are key delivery partners for rural economic development. Having both the creative spirit and funding, CFDCs are an important economic engine thoroughly supported by CF Ontario.
Strengthen CFDC Capacity
CF Ontario provides value-added support to CFDCs through the provision of timely information, common tools, knowledge-sharing opportunities that strengthen CFDCs’ economic development efforts and make them employers of choice.