Community Futures Week is a dedicated celebration organized by Community Futures Eastern Ontario (CFEO) and Community Futures Western Ontario (CFWO), with the collaborative support of its member Community Futures Development Corporations. The purpose of this week is to promote entrepreneurship, small business development, and economic opportunities in Southern Ontario. The event will take place from April 7 to 13, 2025, with a mix of virtual and in-person events happening across eastern Ontario.
Event Schedule
| Type | Event |
|---|---|
| Monday, April 7 | |
|
Prerecorded Video Message |
Topic: A Message of Support for the Community Futures Program. Speaker: The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister Responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario: |
| Tuesday, April 8 | |
|
Live Webinar |
Topic: Leveraging Canva Magic with Generative AI |
| Prerecorded Video Message | Topic: Support for the Community Futures Program and SMEs across eastern Ontario. Speaker: The Honourable Nina Tangri MPP, Associate Minister of Small Business |
| In-Person Event | Topic: Transitioning to the Ontario Not-For-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA) Hosted by: Community Futures Development Corporation of North & Central Hastings and South Algonquin |
| Wednesday, April 9 | |
|
Prerecorded Video Podcast |
Topic: What Keeps You Up at Night - The Life of a Rural Entrepreneur: Podcast launch Speakers: Abraham Ramos-Serratos & Marlem Powers from Chilangos Mexican Restaurant, a Trenval BDC Client. |
| In-Person Event | Open House: Business Advisory Services – Renfrew CFDC |
| Thursday, April 10 | |
|
In-Person Event |
Topic: Cashflow Forecasting Workshop Hosted by: Community Futures Peterborough. |
| Live Webinar | Topic: AI Unleashed: Empowering Small Businesses for Success. Speaker: Sofie Andreou Lunch and Learn Series |
| In-Person Event | Topic: Quinte International Women's Day Market Dedicated to Inspire Women’s Inclusion in Business and Industry Hosted by Trenval BDC. |
| Friday, April 11 | |
|
Prerecorded Video Message |
Topic: International Women’s Day inspiring message for rural women entrepreneurs, motivate business owners, and empower and inspire women leaders |
| Prerecorded Video Podcast | Topic: What Keeps You Up at Night - Navigating Rural Entrepreneurship with Chelsea Adamson" Speaker: Chelsea Adamson from Sweat Social Health and Fitness, Haliburton CDC Client. |
A Message from our Partners
Nancy Gardiner, President of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario and Kate Burn Gallagher, Executive Director, Western Ontario Wardens' Caucus share a video message of support for the Community Futures Program and SMEs across Southern Ontario.
Community Futures
A Pan-Canada Program
What we do.
Boots on the ground in rural communities
267 non-profit offices across Canada that provide small business services to people living in rural and remote communities. Each office delivers community-based small business loans, tools, training and events for people wanting to start, expand, franchise or sell a business. Community Futures offices are supported by regional Networks designed to increase their member offices’ capacity and reach within the community through shared training, regional programming, advocacy and value-added service offerings.
Impact in Ontario.
Success through partnerships
*Results from 2023-24 fiscal year.
269
STAFF
60
CF OFFICES
1,144
VOLUNTEERS
3,228,616
POP. SERVED
1,089
# LOANS ISSUED
$91,766,372
$ LOANS ISSUED
$118,359,610
$ LEVERAGE
5,897
TOTAL JOBS
619
#CED PROJECTS
$1,174,982
CED LEVERAGED*
Success Stories
From the Rapids to the Heart of the Community: Paddler Co-op’s Story, Supported by Community Futures
From Family Tradition to Bakery Success: Grains & Goods with the Community Futures Program
Crafting Success: Meyers Creek Brewery's Journey with the Community Futures Program
Empowering Wellness: The Transformative Journey of Wellness Hub with the Community Futures Program
Our Funder
Rural businesses, organizations and communities are the cornerstone of Canada’s economy. To ensure rural Canadians are positioned for success, the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), has partnered with the Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) across southern Ontario to provide access to the tools and support these businesses within their communities need to succeed.