From helping bring to life “the dream of a place to farm closer for aspiring farmers,” to creating an inclusive community for newcomers to Peterborough, these are two ways $100,000 is going to be used locally courtesy of grants recently awarded to 10 organizations.
On Tuesday (June 10), Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) announced the recipients of the 2025 Community Advancement Program (CAP), a non-repayable funding program that supports projects that foster economic stability, investment, and employment across the city of Peterborough and Peterborough County.
In celebration of its 40th anniversary, CFP is providing $100,000 to 10 organizations in the region. According to a media release, the “record-breaking investment” underscores the non-profit organization’s “long-standing dedication to fostering resilient, inclusive, and sustainable communities throughout the region.”
CFP executive director Devon Girard told kawarthaNOW there were more than 40 applications on the table for consideration.
“An external committee of board directors scored the applications against the criteria laid out in the application process and made the decision,” Girard said.
The 2025 CAP recipients are Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation, Kawartha Manufacturers Association, Junior Achievement Northern and Eastern Ontario, Hiawatha First Nation, Peterborough County, 4th Line Theatre, Curve Lake First Nation, Farms at Work, New Canadians Centre, and ReFrame Film Festival.
“These projects reflect the spirit and mission we had in mind for the Community Advancement Program — to empower local organizations that are creating tangible, positive impacts on the economic landscape of our communities,” Girard said in a statement. “From arts and culture to agriculture, education, and equity, these initiatives are helping shape a vibrant future for both the city of Peterborough and Peterborough County.”
First launched in 2024 and funded in partnership with the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), CAP supports strategic projects that align with CFP’s vision for sustainable economic development and regional resilience. The program is designed to create community economic stability, growth, and job creation, develop and diversify competitive rural economies, and foster economically sustainable communities.
“The projects supported through the Community Advancement Program are a testament to the innovation, ambition, and local leadership driving economic growth in Peterborough and the surrounding region,” said Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, in the release.
“Through FedDev Ontario, our government is proud to support the Community Futures Program and invest in the people and organizations creating real momentum. We are empowering local entrepreneurs, generating good jobs, and building a stronger, more resilient economy right here at home during these times of global economic uncertainty.”
Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Foundation will be using the CAP grant to support a bursary initiative designed to uplift children who were involved with children’s aid societies in achieving their post-secondary education goals.
“Together, we are having a positive impact on the lives of youth who are connected to the Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society and pursuing their post-secondary education goals,” said executive director Carrie Truman. “It is amazing the hurdles these youth have overcome, and so exciting that they are focused on their future by working towards achieving their education goals.”
Meanwhile, Farms at Work will be using its CAP grant to hire a project manager to launch and support their community learning farm.
The initiative aims to provide hands-on, experiential education to aspiring entrepreneurs in agriculture through workshops and guided tours of established farms.
“These funds, along with in-kind support from the Peterborough County economic development team and farm owner Jason McIntosh, bring the dream of a place to farm closer for aspiring farmers and will benefit the community for many years to come,” said Farms at Work operations manager Heather Thomas.
The New Canadians Centre will use the CAP grant to advance the goals of its workplace inclusion charter, which includes fostering a welcoming and inclusive community, supporting employee attraction and retention, boosting productivity and innovation, and enhancing overall employee well-being.
“Immigration is a key component of the future of our labour force and working age population,” said Andy Cragg, executive director of NCC. “The workplace inclusion charter project will help participating local businesses attract and retain immigrant talent while fostering positive workplace experiences for newcomers.”
For more information about Community Futures Peterborough’s Community Advancement Program, visit communityfuturespeterborough.ca.
