Community Economic Development
Have an idea for a community project? Take Action
We support groups or organizations with projects that will improve the local economy. Community Futures Oxford acts a catalyst for community based economic development by providing small grants to community groups to assist in their success.
Community Futures CED Fund
To help Community Futures Oxford achieve its Community Economic Development (CED) strategic objectives, the project should fall into one (or more) of the following:
- Youth Initiatives
- Tourism Growth and Promotion in Oxford County
- Development of Volunteers (capacity building)
- Social and Cultural Development
- Innovation and Technology
- Skills Development
- Social Enterprise Development
Eligibility Criteria
All grants are allocated on a discretionary basis. Some of the criteria used to determine a project’s eligibility for funding include:
- Project is innovative and encourages new projects/economic development within Oxford County
- Project is cost-shared and has community support
- Community Futures Oxford’s funding will not normally exceed 50% of the total project costs
- The project should demonstrate self-sufficiency over time
- Project applicant demonstrates ability to carry out the project and to achieve proposed outcomes
The project applicant is one of the following:
- Charitable organization or registered charity
- Non-profit organization
- Service club
- Municipal Educational Institution
- Social service organization
A collaboration consisting of at least one eligible entity (Individuals, for-profit corporations, and foundations are NOT eligible). All grants are allocated on a discretionary basis. Preference is typically given to seed funding for new initiatives that will continue to have impact after the grant is expended. However, funding may be considered when existing projects are being expanded to include new features and/or benefits and the project addresses one or more of Community Futures Oxford’s Community Economic Development objectives.
Thrive Oxford
Thrive Oxford launched in February 2020, the program was paused for group programming due to the pandemic. Thrive Oxford has been reformatted to provide a yearly event in recognition of International women’s day with workshops focused on sustainability and other aspects of interest to all entrepreneurs. In 2025 the event featured a panel of Oxford County women entrepreneurs and business owners who spoke passionately about the benefits of collaboration. The 2026 event took place February 25, 2026. For more information contact: Janet Wakutz jwakutz@cfoxford.ca.
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