$100,000 in New Funding Dollars Available for Projects Supporting Economic Growth from Community Futures Peterborough’s Community Advancement Program
PETERBOROUGH, ON – January 14, 2025—To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Community Futures Peterborough is doubling the funding available through its Community Advancement Program (CAP). This enhanced support aims to drive economic stability, foster job growth, and create new regional employment opportunities.
Funded by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the CAP will distribute an astonishing $100,000 to our region’s not-for-profits, charities, municipalities, and First Nation communities. This year’s investment doubled the dollars available last year when Community Futures Peterborough first launched CAP with $50,000.
On January 14th, Community Futures Peterborough marked the milestone event by launching the 2025 Community Advancement Program at the Art Gallery of Peterborough, a proud past recipient. The occasion brought together delegates, staff, and community leaders from both the City and County of Peterborough to celebrate this exciting new chapter in regional economic growth and collaboration.
“Our organization is committed to advancing our local economy forward and is thrilled to be able to distribute $100,000 back into our community this year,” says Devon Girard, Executive Director of Community Futures Peterborough. “We fully understand and recognize the impact these dollars can make to create real change.”
This year, as Community Futures Peterborough proudly celebrates 40 years of empowering the local community, it is making an extraordinary commitment to the region’s future. By increasing investment in projects that drive economic growth and prosperity, the organization is reinforcing its dedication to building a thriving, resilient community. This milestone underscores four decades of unwavering support for local businesses, job creation, and regional development.
“Providing stability, building trust, and fostering a strong reputation in our region are all at the core of what we do at Community Futures Peterborough,” says Wayne Harding, Chair of the Community Futures Peterborough Board of Directors. “It’s about giving back and demonstrating unwavering commitment to our community.”
The Community Advancement Program will provide 10 successful applicants with non-repayable funding of $10,000 for their project. CAP is open to all not-for-profits, charities, municipalities, and First Nation communities in our region with projects that boost business attraction, investment, retention, and employment.
Applications for the CAP program and full program guidelines are available on the Community Futures Peterborough website. The deadline to apply is March 7, 2025. All applicants will be notified by April 1st of the result of their application.
Additional Quotes:
“Building on a successful first year, the Community Advancement Program now offers even more support for businesses, non-profits, and other eligible organizations to invest in the Peterborough region. I want to thank Community Futures Peterborough and FedDev Ontario for supporting our local economy.” Jeff Leal, Mayor, City of Peterborough
“Community Futures Peterborough has dedicated four decades of work to advance our region’s growth and success. With the launch of the 2025 CAP, businesses can expect continued support to adapt, innovate, and grow to offer more to our communities. This investment will foster innovation, create new opportunities, and encourage business growth in Peterborough County and City. Congratulations to CFP on the launch of this new program and for your organization’s 40 years of service to Peterborough’s business community.” Bonnie Clark, Warden, Peterborough County
“This year, Community Futures successfully doubled the funding for the Community Advancement Program. This demonstrates their commitment to supporting local businesses and empowering organizations and individuals to undertake projects that meet essential needs and promote growth. It showcases a dedication to creating a stronger, more resilient community where everyone has the chance to flourish and contribute to a brighter future.” Dave Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament, Peterborough – Kawartha
About Community Futures Peterborough
Community Futures Peterborough has a mission to support small businesses with flexible financing in the City and County of Peterborough. It has invested more than $42 million in 1,300+ small businesses since 1985, creating or maintaining more than 4,300 jobs in the City and the County. CFP is a not-for-profit organization funded by the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), as part of the Community Futures Program. In 2024, Community Futures Peterborough began delivery of the Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) program, funded by the Province of Ontario. The Business Advisory Centre also receives operational funding from the City of Peterborough and the County of Peterborough.
About FedDev Ontario
For 15 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region.
Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our investment profiles, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Media Contacts:
Devon Girard, Executive Director
Community Futures Peterborough
Mobile: 705-957-3641