Communities across Canada are facing growing pressures including rising unaffordability, funding constraints, and widening inequities amidst a backdrop of instability. To address intersecting local priorities related to poverty reduction, community economic development, and sustainability, many are exploring community finance approaches that leverage local assets, capital, and partnerships in service of both social impact and financial returns. Yet despite growing interest and momentum, communities continue to face challenges navigating the community finance landscape across Canada and how to access and align solutions with local needs and priorities.
To address these challenges, the Tamarack Institute and the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC) partnered to explore how communities understand and navigate community finance approaches, information, and partnerships. The research engaged members of five communities from Tamarack’s network: Alberni Clayoquot Region BC, Richmond BC, Edmonton AB, Saskatoon SK, and Southern Georgian Bay ON.