FEATURE
COVID-19 Resources
We strive to support CFDCs with current information regarding supports for small businesses impacted by COVID-19.
In doing so, we have created a new section on our website with resources to assist you in delivering the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF):
- General inquiries
- Communications Tool Kit
- Reporting requirements
- Application samples *includes security documents
**To view the links above please be signed in to our website**
For those who chose the option, we have completed the “Pre-Application enhancement” to your website link on our “Find Your Local CFDC Map”.
Potential clients can quickly provide contact, business, financial needs and pre-eligibility information. The data is emailed to the identified CFDC for expedited follow up with the client. Please contact us if you want this feature activated.
We continue to add new resources for you to support your clients under “Update for CFDCs on COVID-19”.
We would also like to thank each and every one of you, as said by Coretta Scott King, "The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members,” and our community truly is great.
COVID-19 Resources
We strive to support CFDCs with current information regarding supports for small businesses impacted by COVID-19.
In doing so, we have created a new section on our website with resources to assist you in delivering the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF):
- General inquiries
- Communications Tool Kit
- Reporting requirements
- Application samples *includes security documents
**To view the links above please be signed in to our website**
For those who chose the option, we have completed the “Pre-Application enhancement” to your website link on our “Find Your Local CFDC Map”.
Potential clients can quickly provide contact, business, financial needs and pre-eligibility information. The data is emailed to the identified CFDC for expedited follow up with the client. Please contact us if you want this feature activated.
We continue to add new resources for you to support your clients under “Update for CFDCs on COVID-19”.
We would also like to thank each and every one of you, as said by Coretta Scott King, "The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members,” and our community truly is great.
NEWS & COMMUNITY
A Miracle Happened in Chatham-Kent (from the Bank of I.D.E.A.S.)
Four weeks ago, in Chatham-Kent, Ontario, a team of 8 residents came together to start a movement to design and implement a simple idea called the May 16th Miracle. They asked all 105,000 citizens across their great community of Chatham-Kent to band together on Sunday, May 16, at 12:00 noon to donate one non-perishable item to all the food banks, soup kitchens and help centres. In the four weeks their movement grew to over 3,000 volunteers. The concept was simple - everyone who can afford it, put one non-perishable outside their door and our volunteers will collect it and store it at a drop off location for four days. Then the volunteers will divide and deliver to the locations who need It. The idea grew beyond the wildest dreams of the originators. Click here to check out the website and make sure you watch the inspiring video at the end!
A Miracle Happened in Chatham-Kent (from the Bank of I.D.E.A.S.)
Four weeks ago, in Chatham-Kent, Ontario, a team of 8 residents came together to start a movement to design and implement a simple idea called the May 16th Miracle. They asked all 105,000 citizens across their great community of Chatham-Kent to band together on Sunday, May 16, at 12:00 noon to donate one non-perishable item to all the food banks, soup kitchens and help centres. In the four weeks their movement grew to over 3,000 volunteers. The concept was simple - everyone who can afford it, put one non-perishable outside their door and our volunteers will collect it and store it at a drop off location for four days. Then the volunteers will divide and deliver to the locations who need It. The idea grew beyond the wildest dreams of the originators. Click here to check out the website and make sure you watch the inspiring video at the end!
New internet performance data shows the staggering scale of Canada’s urban-rural digital divide
New data released by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) shows significant differences in the internet speeds experienced by rural and urban Canadians. The data was generated by CIRA’s Internet Performance Test and was submitted into the recent Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s (CRTC) consultation on barriers to rural broadband deployment. This comes on the heels of a promise by Rural Economic Development Minister Maryam Monsef to speed up rural broadband funding distribution.
New internet performance data shows the staggering scale of Canada’s urban-rural digital divide
New data released by the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) shows significant differences in the internet speeds experienced by rural and urban Canadians. The data was generated by CIRA’s Internet Performance Test and was submitted into the recent Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s (CRTC) consultation on barriers to rural broadband deployment. This comes on the heels of a promise by Rural Economic Development Minister Maryam Monsef to speed up rural broadband funding distribution.
Kirkland & District CDC adds new Executive Director
Jessica Lafreniere is a passionate advocate for small businesses and for creating local community impact. She supports the Kirkland Lake Chamber of Commerce, serving as its current President and she has been a champion in the fundraising efforts for the Rosa Brown dog park.
Jessica has also served as the Coordinator with Employment Options Emploi.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Administration from Brock University and has been a part time professor in the Business Department at Northern College.
Jessica is currently pursuing her Masters Degree with the Queen Mary University of London in the United Kingdom.
Not only does Jessica support local businesses but she and her husband are business owners themselves, operating their own family business.
Please welcome Jessica Lafreniere to the CFDC family!
Kirkland & District CDC adds new Executive Director
Jessica Lafreniere is a passionate advocate for small businesses and for creating local community impact. She supports the Kirkland Lake Chamber of Commerce, serving as its current President and she has been a champion in the fundraising efforts for the Rosa Brown dog park.
Jessica has also served as the Coordinator with Employment Options Emploi.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Administration from Brock University and has been a part time professor in the Business Department at Northern College.
Jessica is currently pursuing her Masters Degree with the Queen Mary University of London in the United Kingdom.
Not only does Jessica support local businesses but she and her husband are business owners themselves, operating their own family business.
Please welcome Jessica Lafreniere to the CFDC family!
INNOVATION
Creative community concepts from the Bank of I.D.E.A.S.
Some interesting perspectives and ideas from the Bank of I.D.E.A.S.
Thriving on the Other Side: How Your Community Can Recreate Vibrancy After COVID-19 from Quint Studer (Stronger Towns)
"Don’t expect the reboot to put your community right back to where it was before COVID-19. For starters, it’s not possible. I’ve read and heard this many times and I agree: When this is over, the world will have changed in many ways. But also, even if we could, we shouldn’t settle for a return to the “old” normal. We owe it to the community to aim higher."
From Emergency to Emergence – from David Korten (YES! Magazine)
"This is an unprecedented opportunity to rethink how our beliefs, values, and institutions shape our relationships. We can create a world that works for everyone or face a future that no longer works for anyone."
Creative community concepts from the Bank of I.D.E.A.S.
Some interesting perspectives and ideas from the Bank of I.D.E.A.S.
Thriving on the Other Side: How Your Community Can Recreate Vibrancy After COVID-19 from Quint Studer (Stronger Towns)
"Don’t expect the reboot to put your community right back to where it was before COVID-19. For starters, it’s not possible. I’ve read and heard this many times and I agree: When this is over, the world will have changed in many ways. But also, even if we could, we shouldn’t settle for a return to the “old” normal. We owe it to the community to aim higher."
From Emergency to Emergence – from David Korten (YES! Magazine)
"This is an unprecedented opportunity to rethink how our beliefs, values, and institutions shape our relationships. We can create a world that works for everyone or face a future that no longer works for anyone."
LESSONS LEARNED & BEST PRACTICES
Attention Northern CFDCs – 1Password Renewals
A big THANK YOU to FedNor for funding 1-year password management licenses this past year through 1Password.
When the expiration time comes, you can choose to cancel your service or renew at your own expense.
1Password offers discounted non-profit rates and various plans that may be of interest to you (Teams versus Individual).
Please contact Jeremy to discuss your options by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and put ‘Jeremy Rhoades’ in the subject field.
Attention Northern CFDCs – 1Password Renewals
A big THANK YOU to FedNor for funding 1-year password management licenses this past year through 1Password.
When the expiration time comes, you can choose to cancel your service or renew at your own expense.
1Password offers discounted non-profit rates and various plans that may be of interest to you (Teams versus Individual).
Please contact Jeremy to discuss your options by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and put ‘Jeremy Rhoades’ in the subject field.
HR & CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Manulife's Webinar Series
Manulife has released a series of webinars covering four key topics:
- Financial wellness
- Investments
- Retirement readiness
- Make the most of your plan
With session times ranging from now until July - be sure to check them out and schedule which ones you would like to attend so you don't miss out on some great practices, such as, "Budgeting your emergency fund"!
Manulife's Webinar Series
Manulife has released a series of webinars covering four key topics:
- Financial wellness
- Investments
- Retirement readiness
- Make the most of your plan
With session times ranging from now until July - be sure to check them out and schedule which ones you would like to attend so you don't miss out on some great practices, such as, "Budgeting your emergency fund"!
Ontario Nonprofit Network offers financial webinars
“We are pleased to present a four-part financial management webinar series to help nonprofits adapt and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Registration is free! Each webinar will be followed up by a live Q & A on Twitter with Finance and Strategy Transformation Strategist, Betty Ferreira FCPA, FCMA. Learn more and reserve your free spot using the links below - and don’t forget to follow along on social media by using #nfpfinance.”
How to cut, contain and restructure costs in uncertain times
Join us on June 4 at 2pm EDT to learn how to strategically cut, contain and restructure costs during COVID-19. Plus! All attendees will receive a free Terms of Reference template to help them get started.
Responding to financial crises then and now
Nonprofits across the country are adapting, innovating, and responding to COVID-19. But there is still work to be done to ensure our sector can recover fully. Join us on June 18 at 2pm EDT to discover lessons from previous crises that can help our sector steward during COVID-19, move forward, and prepare for a post-COVID-19 world.
Everyone is welcome to join our free webinar series. Should you have any questions, please reach out to the ONN team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ontario Nonprofit Network offers financial webinars
“We are pleased to present a four-part financial management webinar series to help nonprofits adapt and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Registration is free! Each webinar will be followed up by a live Q & A on Twitter with Finance and Strategy Transformation Strategist, Betty Ferreira FCPA, FCMA. Learn more and reserve your free spot using the links below - and don’t forget to follow along on social media by using #nfpfinance.”
How to cut, contain and restructure costs in uncertain times
Join us on June 4 at 2pm EDT to learn how to strategically cut, contain and restructure costs during COVID-19. Plus! All attendees will receive a free Terms of Reference template to help them get started.
Responding to financial crises then and now
Nonprofits across the country are adapting, innovating, and responding to COVID-19. But there is still work to be done to ensure our sector can recover fully. Join us on June 18 at 2pm EDT to discover lessons from previous crises that can help our sector steward during COVID-19, move forward, and prepare for a post-COVID-19 world.
Everyone is welcome to join our free webinar series. Should you have any questions, please reach out to the ONN team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Community Development for Good
Common Good Solutions is happy to announce the launch of their new program which is specifically designed for professionals involved in community revitalisation - community developers, business development officers, municipal employees, lenders and consultants.
The program covers the basic principles of community development, adult education, coaching and facilitation.
For more information and to register click here.
There is an info session on it this Friday, May 29, 2020 at 12 p.m. EDT
Shifter Specialists: NEW support service
As part of the response to the COVID-19, Common Good Solutions has come together with Social Shifters and SAP, the world’s largest enterprise software provider and longtime supporter of social entrepreneurship, to pilot a brand-new support service - Shifter Specialists.
Shifter Specialists are SAP consultants that can help you with projects in a variety of areas,
including:
-
- Marketing and communications
- Digitization and technology assessment; potential platform development
- Strategic growth planning, review, and implementation
- Internal business process evaluation and improvement
- Financial sustainability
- Data Management
- Program measurement and evaluation
- People strategies and effective leadership teams
- "Survival" plans for COVID-19
Community Development for Good
Common Good Solutions is happy to announce the launch of their new program which is specifically designed for professionals involved in community revitalisation - community developers, business development officers, municipal employees, lenders and consultants.
The program covers the basic principles of community development, adult education, coaching and facilitation.
For more information and to register click here.
There is an info session on it this Friday, May 29, 2020 at 12 p.m. EDT
Shifter Specialists: NEW support service
As part of the response to the COVID-19, Common Good Solutions has come together with Social Shifters and SAP, the world’s largest enterprise software provider and longtime supporter of social entrepreneurship, to pilot a brand-new support service - Shifter Specialists.
Shifter Specialists are SAP consultants that can help you with projects in a variety of areas,
including:
-
- Marketing and communications
- Digitization and technology assessment; potential platform development
- Strategic growth planning, review, and implementation
- Internal business process evaluation and improvement
- Financial sustainability
- Data Management
- Program measurement and evaluation
- People strategies and effective leadership teams
- "Survival" plans for COVID-19
The Update - Your Newsletter
Follow us 
