The $450,000 Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) will help local businesses, individuals and non-profit organizations develop business opportunities and offer individual work experience.

Applications will accepted and reviewed on an ongoing basis.

All projects must be completed by March 31, 2010.
Final deadline to submit applications is January 31, 2010.

Note:
1) Some programs/grants are for not-for-profit (NFP) organizations only.
2) GST is not an eligible cost but will be considered to be part of the applicant's contribution.

What qualifies for CAF funding?

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
(The following 3 elements include not-for-profit and private sectors)

1. Business Development (NFP/Private Sectors)

>> Click here to download the application (PDF) | (WORD)

Business Development funding is available for business expansion projects such as:

  • technological improvement
  • business planning, and
  • market research 

You may be eligible for up to $5,000 in funding. Businesses can receive up to 90% of the total Eligible Costs of the project.

2. Skills Development – Training Employees (NFP/Private Sectors)

>> Click here to download the application (PDF) | (WORD)

Skills Development funding is intended:

  • to assist and encourage on the job training of employees
  • to enhance the skill set of those employees
  • to provide transferable skills to employees
  • to contribute to the overall strength of the work force capabilities of the area

Organizations are eligible for up to $5,000 per employee and each organization can be eligible for up to $25,000 in funding. Businesses and private enterprise can receive up to 50% of their training costs. Not-for-profits can apply for up to 100% of their training costs. 

3. Hiring Interns (NFP/Private Sectors)

>> Click here to download the application (PDF) | (WORD)

Youth (up to the age of 29) and Non-Youth (30 years of age and over) internship funding is intended to provide recent post-secondary graduates or recent graduates of training programs with valuable skills from full-time work experience with the objective of leading to longer term employment in Chatham-Kent.

Organizations can receive up to $2,500 per month for each intern for up to 12 months:

  • private businesses can receive up to 50% of the cost of the intern
  • not-for-profits can receive up to 100% of the cost of an intern

Deadline for internship applications: March 15, 2010

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
(The following 2 elements apply only to the not-for-profit sector)

4. Local Initiatives Projects (NFP Sector only)

>> Click here to download the application (PDF) | (WORD)

Local Initiative Projects funding is available to support local community-based initiatives, which create economic development and diversification within rural Chatham-Kent. All projects must be incremental and partnerships are encouraged.

The maximum grant under the Local Initiatives is up to 100% of total Eligible Costs with a maximum of $10,000 per project. 

5. Community Capacity Projects (NFP Sector only)

>> Click here to download the application (PDF) | (WORD)

Community Capacity projects are intended to enhance the community capacity for economic development and diversification within the Chatham-Kent area. The funding is intended to strengthen communities by supporting projects that are: 

  • incremental
  • address local needs and priorities and;
  • result in long-term benefits including job creation, economic diversification, and enhanced
  • business competitiveness.

Projects must demonstrate significant direct or indirect impact on the enhancement of local business and/or the community as a whole. Applicants must demonstrate support from partners in the private sector, community organizations, municipalities, and/or the provincial government.

Community Capacity Projects can be funded up to $150,000 and 100% of total Eligible Costs and are restricted to not-for-profit organizations such as municipalities. 

How to Apply...

To discuss if you qualify for a specific sector:
Call: (519) 676-7775
Toll Free: 1-866-469-9901

Mail or deliver your applications to:
Community Futures Development Corporation of Chatham-Kent

245 Marlborough St. N.,
P.O. Box 192
Blenheim, Ontario N0P 1A0

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