Welcome to Community Futures
Community Futures (CF) is a national community economic development program. Community Futures are non-profit organizations, guided by volunteer boards of directors and staffed with business professionals. In western Canada, Community Futures is funded by Western Economic Diversification Canada
What is Community Futures?
Community Futures organizations are comprised of volunteers and staff who are actively engaged in helping to develop and implement community-based economic development strategies with a focus on rural economic diversification. Implemented strategies result in the growth within our rural communities; one idea at a time.
Related Links
- Community Futures Network of Canada
- Community Futures Pan-West Network
- Globe & Mail Article - Report on Business
Our Core Services
Small Business Loans
Community Futures offers eight different loans products, each designed to meet a particular business need. Whether you require a quick influx of cash to respond to an unexpected opportunity, or are looking for a larger investment for expansion into global markets, we have a product that can help. And as a developmental lender, Community Futures can be flexible in finding a loan solution tailored to your needs. Applying is fast and easy, just contact one of Community Futures offices.
Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program
The Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Program (EDP) was established to make it easier for entrepreneurs with disabilities to pursue their business goals and contribute to economic growth within their rural community. In addition to offering business training and mentoring, the EDP can also provide business loans, through the BusinessAble loan product. For more information on the EDP in your area, please contact your local Community Futures office.
Small Business Training
Community Futures provide business training, business planning assistance and counsel for the start up or expansion of your small business or small business idea. To find out more contact your local Community Futures office. Click Here to locate your nearest office.
One of the training support offerings available to Community Futures clients is the excellent streaming web video training program available through our partner GoForth Institute.
GoForth Institute Education for Entrepreneurs is a comprehensive training program teaches you the 100 essential skills necessary for running a successful business. This training is most helpful for people who are starting or business and those have been in business for up to 5 years – even if you have been in business for a while, we guarantee you will learn stuff. Training is delivered through streaming web video so you can learn when you want to. CLICK HERE to received $15.00 off the cost of GoForth training!
Self Employment Program
Some Alberta Community Futures organizations deliver the Self Employment (SE) Program, which provides business training and financial assistance to new entrepreneurs while they get their business up and running. The SE program is designed to reduce some of the financial concerns of self-support for new entrepreneurs who are taking their first steps toward self employment. The SE Program is delivered by individual Community Futures offices through a variety of workshops, courses and one-on-one mentoring. For more information, please contact your nearest Community Futures office.
Community Economic Development
For rural communities to compete in our fast changing world full of economic uncertainties, there is an increased need to adopt new, intentional and focused economic development strategies. Successful rural communities will identify, inventory and access economic opportunities, and will look for unique ways to build upon what they already have. Using existing community assets, the resilient community of tomorrow will also look for new and efficient ways to produce and then market products or services to new customers in a marketplace infinitely larger than it was two decades ago. At the local or regional level, Community Futures organizations play a key role in working alongside community leaders and other key stakeholders for the development of a strategic vision for our community's future. Along with our communities and community partners, Community Futures organizations invest in activities and projects designed to allow our rural communities to be resilient.
Rural Diversification Initiative
We want to build communities that have long-term sustain ability, resiliency in the face of change, and a broad economic base with a variety of types of businesses and jobs. The Rural Diversification Initiative (RDI) provides support to Community Futures organizations and their partners for economic diversification projects in Alberta. Rural diversification projects can include those that help improve productivity, replace imports in a region, develop new markets, provide innovative access to capital, or help develop business clusters.
To discuss your community’s idea for a rural diversification project, please contact your local
Community Futures office.
