An independent registry of Northern Ontario funding Data updated Aug 17, 2026 · CC-BY-4.0
Northern Ontario Grants
Open, continuous intake Partly repayable

Community Futures Program (Northern Ontario)

by Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

Also known as: CFP · Community Futures · CFDC funding

You don't apply to this FedNor program directly, it core-funds 24 Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) across rural Northern Ontario. Your local CFDC is the front door: small-business loans (sizes and terms vary by CFDC), free business planning and advisory services, and community economic development support. Continuous intake, walk in any time. Find your office through Community Futures Ontario (cfontario.ca).

Amount
No program-wide loan maximum is published on FedNor's page. Loan sizes and terms are set by each individual CFDC, confirm with your local office.

fednor.canada.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

Instrument
Mixed instruments
Status
Open, continuous intake no fixed deadline; approvals on the funder's cycle
Who qualifies
Small and medium sized businesses, social enterprises, rural communities
  • Services are delivered locally: each of the 24 CFDCs serves a defined rural catchment area, eligibility for a loan is determined by your local CFDC, not by FedNor
  • Muskoka's FedNor-boundary status has shifted over time, confirm with FedNor/your nearest CFDC (uncertain)

fednor.canada.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Auto-checked against official source

Application process

Call first. This funder expects contact with a program officer before you apply.

  1. Find your local CFDC (via the Community Futures Ontario directory)
  2. Meet CFDC staff, free business advisory and planning support
  3. For financing: submit a loan application; the CFDC's local volunteer board makes lending decisions

fednor.canada.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Reported, verification pending

Common questions

How do I get a Community Futures loan?

Through your local CFDC, not FedNor. Each of the 24 Northern Ontario CFDCs is a nonprofit lender with its own volunteer board that makes lending decisions locally. Loan maximums and terms vary by corporation, contact yours directly (directory at cfontario.ca).

Is CFDC help free?

Business advisory, planning, and information services are free. Loans are real loans, repayable with interest, but CFDCs lend to businesses banks often turn down, including startups and rural businesses.

I'm in a city like Thunder Bay or Sudbury, am I eligible?

CFDCs primarily serve rural communities; urban cores are often outside CFDC catchments. Your nearest CFDC can confirm whether your location qualifies or point you to alternatives like FedNor or NOHFC programs.

Apply

Apply on the funder’s site and confirm current terms there:

cfontario.ca