Community Futures North Okanagan

What Community Futures North Okanagan does

Community Futures North Okanagan (CFNO) is a non-profit community economic development organization headquartered at 3105 33rd Street in Vernon, British Columbia, Canada, operating since 1980 as part of the national Community Futures network. The organization delivers business financing, advisory services, employment programming, and community economic development support to entrepreneurs, small businesses, youth, newcomers, and persons with disabilities across eleven North Okanagan communities: Armstrong, Coldstream, Enderby, Grindrod, Lavington, Lumby, Mara, Okanagan Indian Band, Spallumcheen, Splatsin, and Vernon. Service delivery occurs through in-person consultations at the downtown Vernon office, plus phone, video call, and Google Hangouts channels, supported by an online loan application portal at apply.futuresbc.com.

CFNO's product portfolio spans three interconnected layers: a lending suite (standard Business Loans, Micro Loans, Newcomers Loans, and 4-H Loans) that has cumulatively deployed $23,699,762 across 456 loans creating 1,309 jobs; an advisory and training layer (Business Coaching, Business Plan Bootcamp, Business Model Canvas workshops, Succession Planning, Export Navigator, SharED peer mentoring, Business Exchange, and an ongoing workshop calendar); and a set of specialized programs including the annual Enterprize Challenge competition offering over $24,000 in startup capital, the Start-Up Entrepreneurship Program, Self-Employment Services, Employ for Youth, the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities program, the Rail Trail Readiness Program, and the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP). There is no proprietary technology stack; the underlying technology is limited to standard web and communication tools plus an online application portal.

Revenue is generated through two primary streams: interest and fees on the loan book, and government program funding sourced from Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) and the Province of BC. Customer acquisition is community-led, relying on chamber and municipal partnerships, workshops, peer-mentoring networks, social media (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn), an email newsletter, Eventbrite workshop registration, local media coverage, and the Enterprize Challenge competition. CFNO holds Living Wage Certified (2026) and Rainbow Registered certifications, complies with BC's FIPPA privacy regime, and maintains a board-governed operating model with no private equity, venture capital, or public ownership exposure.

Name

Community Futures North Okanagan

Legal name

Community Futures North Okanagan

Website

https://futuresbc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Community Futures North Okanagan is a Vernon, BC-based non-profit community economic development organization providing business loans, coaching, employment programs, and government-funded community services to entrepreneurs, small businesses, youth, and newcomers across the North Okanagan region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Economic Development / Small Business Lending

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Community Education (EDAAAFAK)

Keywords

• Community economic development
• Small business loans
• Entrepreneurship support
• Business coaching
• Employment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Vernon

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Business Lending Programs: Community Futures North Okanagan provides flexible business loans to entrepreneurs and small businesses in the North Okanagan region. The organization has loaned over $23.6 million through 456 loans approved, generating revenue through loan interest and program fees.
2. Government-Funded Programs: The organization delivers various government-funded programs including the Start-Up Entrepreneurship Program, Self-Employment services, Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP), Employ for Youth program, and business workshops. Funding comes from Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) and the Province of BC.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Community Futures North Okanagan is a non-profit community economic development organization that provides flexible business lending (standard loans, micro loans, newcomer loans, and 4-H loans), one-on-one business coaching, business plan development workshops, and specialized employment programs. It serves entrepreneurs, small businesses, youth, newcomers to Canada, and entrepreneurs with disabilities across the North Okanagan region of British Columbia.

Product overview

Community Futures North Okanagan operates as a community economic development organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and services. The core offerings include Business Loans (encompassing standard loans, Micro Loans, Newcomers Loans, and 4-H Loans), Business Coaching, and Business Plan Bootcamp. These are complemented by competitive programs such as the annual Enterprize Challenge business competition, the Start-Up Entrepreneurship Program, Self-Employment Services, and the Employ for Youth employment program. Specialized offerings include the Rail Trail Readiness Program for tourism preparation, Export Navigator for international expansion, Succession Planning, Entrepreneurs with Disabilities support, and peer-mentoring programs like SharED and Business Exchange. The organization also maintains a calendar of workshops including Business Model Canvas, digital marketing, HR, and CRA tax sessions. Together, these services form a comprehensive ecosystem supporting entrepreneurs from ideation through business launch, growth, and transition.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Enterprize Challenge: Annual entrepreneurship competition and training program for North Okanagan residents
• Employ for Youth
• StartUP
• Rail Trail Readiness Program

Products and services

• Business Loans Flexible lending options for small businesses with business advice and support, including standard business loans, micro loans, and newcomer loans for entrepreneurs in the North Okanagan region.
• Business Coaching One-on-one advisory support to help entrepreneurs develop and refine their business plans, strategies, and operations.
• Enterprize Challenge Annual Dragon's Den-style business competition where entrepreneurs pitch business ideas to judges for a chance to win over $24,000 in start-up capital and professional services.
• Business Plan Bootcamp Structured workshop program that guides participants through creating comprehensive business plans.
• Start-Up Entrepreneurship Program (StartUP) Assists new entrepreneurs in developing and launching their businesses, with services including business plan development and implementation support.
• Employ for Youth Youth employment program that helps young people transition to work or school, including a 4-week workshop with cultural and hands-on experiences.
• Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) Program connecting employers with immigrant talent to address labor market needs in rural communities across the North Okanagan region.
• Rail Trail Readiness Program Helps businesses in Armstrong, Enderby, and Sicamous prepare for increased tourism from the Shuswap-North Okanagan Rail Trail through workshops, personalized coaching, and access to micro-loans for infrastructure upgrades.
• Export Navigator Expert guidance for businesses looking to expand into international markets, including market entry strategy and connections to export resources.
• Succession Planning Advisory services to help business owners plan for the transition or sale of their business.
• Micro Loans Small-scale lending options designed for entrepreneurs who may not qualify for traditional business financing, also available for Rail Trail infrastructure upgrades.
• Newcomers Loan Financing designed specifically for newcomers to Canada who are looking to start or grow a business.
• 4-H Loans Loans for 4-H club members and participants to support youth entrepreneurship and agricultural projects.
• Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Support services and resources tailored to help entrepreneurs with disabilities start and grow their businesses.
• SharED Peer Mentorship Program facilitating peer mentoring and resource sharing among businesses and entrepreneurs in the North Okanagan.
• Business Exchange Peer-mentoring program that connects businesses for mutual learning and support.
• Self-Employment Services Helps clients develop business plans and implement their business ideas, supporting individuals who want to become self-employed.

Quantifiable outcome

• $23,699,762 loaned to 456 businesses creating 1,309 jobs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Armstrong/Spallumcheen Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal chamber partnership supporting business community in Armstrong and Spallumcheen areas through joint economic development initiatives
• City of VernoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partnership for economic development and community growth in Vernon
• City of EnderbycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partnership for economic development in Enderby
• Greater Vernon Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber partnership for business support and networking in Vernon area
• Okanagan CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partnership for workforce development and business training
• Service CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal government partnership for employment services and workforce programs
• Business Development Bank of CanadamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinancial institution partnership for small business lending and advisory services
• Bank of MontrealminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBanking partner supporting local business financing initiatives
• VantageOne Credit UnionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal credit union partnership for community financial services
• WorkBC VernoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial employment services partnership for job seekers and employers in Vernon area
• School District #22 (Vernon)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational district partnership for youth employment and career programs
• Thompson Okanagan Tourism AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTourism organization partnership supporting tourism-related business development
• Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services SocietymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerImmigrant services partnership supporting newcomers to the North Okanagan region
• Canadian Mental Health AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health organization partnership for holistic client support services
• Kindale Developmental AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopmental services organization partnership supporting entrepreneurs with disabilities
• NexusBCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity services organization partnership in the North Okanagan
• Turning Points Collaborative SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial services organization partnership for community support
• Village of LumbyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partnership for economic development in Lumby
• Whitevalley Resource CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity resource centre partnership serving Lumby and area

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CFNorthOkanagan
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-futures-north-okanagan
• Instagraminstagram.com/cfnorthokanagan/?hl=en
• Xx.com/CFNorthOkanagan

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Community Futures North Okanagan