Community Futures Development Corporation of the Shuswap

What Community Futures Development Corporation of the Shuswap does

Community Futures Development Corporation of the Shuswap (operating as Community Futures Shuswap) is a community-based non-profit organization founded in 1985, headquartered at 101-160 Harbourfront Drive NE in Salmon Arm, British Columbia. It operates as part of the federally-supported national Community Futures network, with backing from Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) and Western Economic Diversification Canada, and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected from within the Shuswap region. The organization serves small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, not-for-profits, Indigenous entrepreneurs, and agricultural businesses across the Shuswap region (Salmon Arm and CSRD Areas C, D, E, F, and G, including North Shuswap, South Shuswap, Falkland, Grindrod, Sicamous, and Malakwa).

Its core offerings are structured around two revenue streams: (1) Business Loans — secured, repayable loans ranging from $500 to $150,000, priced at Bank of Canada prime rate plus variance with flexible terms up to 15 years for mortgage-secured loans, no prepayment penalty, and partnership with other Community Futures offices for larger amounts; and (2) Training and Advisory Services — delivered through the myCommunityFutures BC provincial platform with $5,000 business training reimbursement, consulting, workshops, and peer masterminds. Supplemental offerings include the co-developed free Business Continuity Planning Tool (cfbcp.ca), a downloadable Business Toolkit, Canada Digital Adoption Program support ($2,400 e-commerce micro-grant), Export Navigator referrals, and Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) COVID-19 loans up to $40,000.

The go-to-market motion is sales-led and relationship-driven: services are delivered through in-person consultations at the Salmon Arm office, a formal 5-step loan application process (application, Loan Account Manager interview, proposal development, Business Development Committee approval, fund disbursement), and referrals from local chambers of commerce, the Salmon Arm Economic Development Society, and Indigenous business service organizations. Pricing includes a $150 application processing fee, a 2% loan amount fee (minimum $500) for successful Phase 2 applicants, and largely subsidized or no-cost advisory services — reflecting the organization's non-profit, federally-mandated mission rather than a commercial revenue model. The technology stack is minimal: a Wix-hosted website (beyourfuture.ca), the Common Goals loan application portal, and downloadable PDF templates, with no proprietary AI or ML capabilities.

Name

Community Futures Development Corporation of the Shuswap

Legal name

Community Futures Development Corporation of the Shuswap

Website

https://www.beyourfuture.ca

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Community Futures Shuswap is a federally-supported non-profit organization providing secured small business loans ($500-$150,000), training, and advisory services to SMBs, startups, not-for-profits, and Indigenous entrepreneurs across British Columbia's Shuswap region, operating since 1985 from Salmon Arm under the national Community Futures network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Economic Development & Small Business Lending

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741), Services-Business Services, Nec (7389)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Financial Assistance & Benefits Navigation Services (BPAGAEAK)

Keywords

• Small business lending
• Business advisory services
• Entrepreneurship training
• Community economic development
• Business continuity planning

Headquarters

HQ city

Salmon Arm

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Business Loans: Provides secured, repayable loans ranging from $500 to $150,000 with competitive interest rates based on Bank of Canada prime rate plus variance. No prepayment penalty with flexible repayment terms up to 15 years for mortgage-secured loans. Also offers partnership with other Community Futures offices for larger loan amounts.
2. Training and Advisory Services: Delivers business training, consulting, workshops, and peer mastermind programs through myCommunityFutures BC platform. Services are largely subsidized or provided at low cost to support small business development in the region.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Community Futures Shuswap is a community-based not-for-profit that provides secured small business loans ($500–$150,000), personalized business advisory services, and training programs to small businesses, startups, and not-for-profits in the Shuswap region of British Columbia. Core services include loan origination and servicing, business planning support, consulting, workshops, peer masterminds, and tools such as the Business Continuity Planning Tool and downloadable Business Toolkit.

Product overview

Community Futures Shuswap offers a suite of interconnected business support services centered around small business lending and advisory services. The core offering consists of secured business loans ranging from $500 to $150,000, supplemented by the myCommunityFutures online platform providing training, consulting, workshops, and peer masterminds. Additional services include the free Business Continuity Planning Tool for disaster preparedness, a downloadable Business Toolkit with templates and forms, support for the Canada Digital Adoption Program (grants up to $2,400), and Export Navigator partnership for market expansion. The organization operates as a full-service support center combining financing, training, and advisory services for new and existing businesses in the Shuswap region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Loans Secured, repayable loans ranging from $500 to $150,000 for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in the Shuswap region. Offers competitive interest rates based on Bank of Canada prime rate plus variance, flexible repayment terms up to 15 years for mortgage-secured loans, no prepayment penalty, and can partner with other Community Futures offices for larger loan amounts.
• Business Advisory Services Personalized business advisory services including business planning, market analysis, and connections to resources for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in the Shuswap region. Services are tailored to individual business needs with a focus on confidentiality.
• myCommunityFutures BC Training Platform Online platform providing services for businesses, startups, and not-for-profits including a $5,000 Business Training Reimbursement, consulting, workshops, and peer mastermind programs delivered at subsidized or low cost to support small business development in the region.
• Business Continuity Planning Tool Free online tool developed in collaboration with O'Leary & Associates to help BC businesses prepare for and mitigate the impact of disasters including fires, flooding, smoke, network disruptions, and pandemics.
• Business Toolkit Downloadable resources for small business owners including Business Plan Guidelines, Business Plan Template, Checklist of Legal Requirements, Business Loan Application, Cashflow/Monthly Analysis, and Financial Assumptions forms.
• Canada Digital Adoption Program Support Assistance for small businesses to access the Canada Digital Adoption Program micro-grant of up to $2,400 for e-commerce adoption, supported by a network of e-commerce advisors.
• Export Navigator Partnership Free program designed to help BC businesses expand into new domestic and international markets through expert guidance, market research, and one-on-one export strategy support, delivered via referral from Community Futures Shuswap.
• Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) Loans COVID-19 relief loans of up to $40,000 for businesses affected by the pandemic, administered through Community Futures Shuswap.

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Community Futures North OkanagancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in the Rural Community Immigration Pilot, working with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to address workforce challenges in the Shuswap region.
• Export NavigatorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree program helping B.C. businesses diversify and grow by guiding them through the export process. Community Futures Shuswap refers clients to this service.
• Small Business BCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Canada Digital Adoption Program, helping British Columbia entrepreneurs grow successful businesses through expert advisors, educational services, and resources.
• Salmon Arm Economic Development Society (SAEDS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit society under contract with City of Salmon Arm to provide economic development services. Works with Community Futures on local business support initiatives.
• Aboriginal Business and Community Development CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides culturally-sensitive business and economic development services to Aboriginal individuals, organizations, and communities. Listed as a partner resource for indigenous entrepreneurs.
• Aboriginal Business Service Network (ABSN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit society providing business information services to Aboriginal entrepreneurs in BC. Administered by Community Futures Development Corporation of Central Interior First Nations.
• BC Business MatchminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork 34 initiative from Community Futures offering free workshops for people interested in buying or selling a business. Provides one-on-one expertise and professional services for business transitions.
• Work Hub ShuswapminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentral point of contact for Shuswap business clients seeking support services. Provides consistent path forward for business support at no cost to individuals accessing services.
• New Relationship TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening First Nations in BC through capacity building in governance, education, language, youth, and economic development.
• Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTourism industry association partnered with Okanagan College on Hospitality Professional Program, a fully funded training initiative for Thompson Okanagan region.
• Okanagan CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institution partnered with TOTA on Hospitality Professional Program, providing virtual classroom training and work experience placement.
• Women's Enterprise CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization helping BC women start, lead, and grow their own businesses. Listed as a small business resource partner.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Community Futures North Okanagan: Sibling Community Futures Development Corporation in the adjacent North Okanagan region. CF Shuswap partners directly with this organization on the Rural Community Immigration Pilot, making operational models, client mix, and loan offerings highly comparable.
• Community Futures Central Interior First Nations: Community Futures office that administers the Aboriginal Business Service Network (ABSN) — a listed partner of CF Shuswap for Indigenous entrepreneur support. Operates with the same national CF mandate, lending, and training model.
• Small Business BC: BC-focused nonprofit providing expert advisors, educational services, and resources to entrepreneurs. CF Shuswap refers clients to Small Business BC for the Canada Digital Adoption Program, indicating direct operational overlap in advisory and training.
• Women's Enterprise Centre: BC nonprofit helping women start, lead, and grow businesses. Listed as a small business resource partner of CF Shuswap and operates a similar model of subsidized advisory, training, and limited financing for an underserved segment.
• Futurpreneur: National nonprofit providing financing, mentorship, and resources to aspiring entrepreneurs aged 18–39. Directly comparable offering for CF Shuswap's 'Aspiring Entrepreneurs' segment, with overlapping startup loan and advisory services.
• Salmon Arm Economic Development Society (SAEDS): Local economic development nonprofit operating in the same Salmon Arm market as CF Shuswap under contract with the city. Co-listed as a strategic partner and addresses overlapping local business support needs.
• Export Navigator: Free BC program that helps small businesses expand into new markets. CF Shuswap formally refers clients to Export Navigator, indicating tightly integrated service delivery for BC SMB export development.

Broad incumbents

• Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC): Canada's primary development financial institution exclusively dedicated to entrepreneurs. Listed as a financing partner resource for CF Shuswap clients. Offers overlapping lending and consulting services but at a national scale with much larger loan tickets.

Regional players

• Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA): Regional tourism industry association partnered with Okanagan College on hospitality training in the same Thompson Okanagan region that CF Shuswap serves. Overlaps in supporting SMB growth in tourism, a key CF Shuswap client vertical.

Emerging players

• New Relationship Trust: BC nonprofit strengthening First Nations through capacity building including economic development. Listed as a partner for CF Shuswap's Indigenous entrepreneur segment with overlapping economic development and capacity-building missions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CommunityFuturesShuswap
• Instagraminstagram.com/communityfuturesshuswap
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/communityfuturesshuswap

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Development Corporation of the Shuswap