Community Capacity Building Fund – GUIDELINES
Applications open Monday, August 18, 2025
Questions? Contact us at 705-325-4903 ext. 103
All applicants are strongly encouraged to read the full guidelines before submitting an application.
About the CDC
The mission of the CDC is to enrich our economy through business financing and coaching, to foster innovative thinking and to enable impactful community economic development initiatives.
The CDC is one of 61 Federal Community Futures Development Corporations across Ontario and is supported by Fed Dev Ontario.
Purpose of the Community Capacity Building Fund
The fund aims to strengthen our communities by supporting projects that:
- Build capacity – Enhance growth or success within your organization.
- Are innovative – Adopt new methods, products, services, or ideas.
- Support sustainability – Focus on long-term organizational development.
- Facilitate growth – Renew or expand products or services to create new opportunities.
- Demonstrate collaboration – Involve partnerships that support shared success.
- Are incremental – Add to or advance existing plans (not cover ongoing operations).
- Address local priorities – Offer long-term community or economic benefits (e.g., job creation, business strengthening).
Funding Available
- Total available: $20,000
- Maximum grant per organization: $3,000
- Maximum project budget: $12,000
- Eligibility: for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations/social enterprise
-
Priority may be given to projects leveraging additional funds or resources.
Eligible Applicants:
- Be located in the City of Orillia, or the Townships of Oro-Medonte, Ramara, Severn, or the Chippewas of Rama First Nation.
-
Be a non-profit or a for-profit business (sole proprietor, partnership, or corporation)
Note: Registered charities are not eligible.
-
Have been operating prior to January 1, 2025 (start-up activities are not eligible).
-
Applicants may be prioritized if they have not received past funding through this program.
Eligible Costs:
Considered on a case-by-case basis. May include:
- Innovative technology or software
- Travel and accommodations
- Registration fees
- Professional and consulting services
- Learning resources
- Equipment purchases
- Wages related to project delivery
Ineligible Costs:
-
Any expenses incurred before receiving written grant approval from the CDC
Funding Ratio
Funding Ratios will be determined on an individual basis, considering the applicant’s contribution, including cash, in-kind, and partner contributions.
Funding Criteria:
- All project funds must be spent by September 1, 2026.
- Applicants are encouraged to complete projects and submit claims as early as possible.
Application Process:
- Deadline: Monday, October 27, 2025 at 4:00 PM
- Applicants must read all guidelines to ensure eligibility and fit for this program.
- Submitting an application does not guarantee funding.
- Please note: The review committee will only consider complete applications.
- Applications are scored and ranked based on this matrix. Highest ranking applications are funded.
Approval Process:
Successful applicants will receive a contribution agreement outlining:
-
Terms and conditions
-
Required acknowledgments (e.g. CDC logo use, public recognition)
-
Reporting obligations
Recognition:
The CDC may require acknowledgement as a project partner. The contribution agreement describes the extent of that acknowledgement, both initially (e.g. through press releases, social media or other announcements) and ongoing (e.g. by signage identifying CDC as a partner).
Reporting and Monitoring:
Successful applicants will be required to update the CDC on the progress of their initiative and submit receipts for eligible expenses prior to receiving their grant funds.
Payment of CDC Contributions:
Detailed instructions, claim forms and a contract will be provided to applicants after their projects are approved by the CDC.
Any questions or concerns regarding the application process or the Community Capacity Building Fund should be directed to the CDC’s Community Development Coordinator, Celeste Lalumiere, at clalumiere@orilliacdc.com or 705-325-4903 ext. 103.