Capital for the communities we call home.
We envision an Atlantic Canada where communities are strong, people thrive, and the future is theirs to shape.
The Atlantic Community Impact Fund (ACIF) is an emerging regional social finance fund now in development by Seafair. It would provide flexible, repayable capital to organizations doing important work across our region.
Why this fund, why now?
Across Atlantic Canada, charities, non-profits, co-ops, social enterprises and businesses are building housing, feeding their communities, keeping culture alive and preparing for what comes next.
Too often, the right kind of capital isn't there to help.
Traditional loans, philanthropy and government funding each do a lot, but they can't fill every gap.
ACIF is being designed to help fill some of them, with patient, flexible capital built in and for this region.
ACIF is being built in the open and we are not yet open for applications.
Groundwork (done): An earlier phase of analysis by The Purposeful Group looked at the need, the opportunity and possible structures for a regional fund.
Design & Readiness (now): Seafair is leading the work to turn that concept into a fund that's ready to launch, together with partners and communities across the Atlantic region.
Launch: We are targeting 2027 for the launch of fund to invest in ideas, individuals, organizations, businesses and charities driving impact across our shared communities.
Investing in a thriving region.
We believe in making Atlantic Canada a better place to live, work and belong, and we want to do it together.
Our approach will typically start with place. We look at what a community needs to thrive; where multiple activities are already driving cohesion and vision; where direct capital can make a big difference.
How we’ll work:
Place first. We plan to start from what’s happening on the ground, where opportunities are held back, and where energy exists to leverage capital.
Coordinated capital. We plan to invest alongside other funders, lenders and philanthropy so each dollar goes further.
Many front doors. We plan to collaborate with existing networks across the region so organizations can easily find a front door to our fund.
Foundations of thriving.
Resilient and well communities are multi-dimensional, and bolstered by creative thinking and imaginative leaders. Our fund will invest in ideas that cut across what we believe are the foundations:
Vibrant Communities: Housing and community-serving infrastructure, including cooperative and community housing, hubs, childcare facilities and main street assets that help strengthen connection, participation and wellbeing, and help communities thrive.
Vibrant Food Systems: Agriculture and regional food systems, including production, processing, scaling, distribution, commercialization, food security and local supply chains.
Vibrant Lives: Tourism, arts, culture and community experiences, businesses and assets that support local economies, celebrate who we are, and make our communities great places to live, work and visit.
Vibrant Futures: New, growth enabling, and catalytic opportunities, such as climate resilience, newcomer success, defense-related opportunities, workforce development, technology innovations and infrastructure, that open new paths for sustainable economic development.
Fund Concept
Diversified, place-based investment portfolio designed to strengthen communities, generate sustainable financial returns, and deliver impact.
Size: + $30M
Products: Loan & Equity Based
Min Deal Size: $250k
Serving: Entrepreneurs, Charities, Non-Profits, Co-ops, Municipalities & Businesses
We are here to add, not compete. ACIF is meant to work alongside the lenders, funders and support organizations already serving the region, not duplicate them.
ACIF is being designed for:
Social purpose organizations (SPOs) in the broadest sense: entrepreneurs, charities, non-profits, co-operatives and businesses creating community benefit and social impact.
Organizations ready to take on repayable capital, mainly loans, in the range of roughly $250,000 to $3 million
Projects that create social, economic, cultural or environmental value and impact in Atlantic Canada
Opportunities that are led by, owned by, or disproportionately supporting individuals and communities representing rural, Indigenous, black, LGBTQ2S+, disabilities, women, racialized and newcomer identities, peoples, groups and places.
ACIF likely isn't the right fit if:
You're looking for grant funding.
You need a first loan or a smaller amount (existing community lenders and programs may serve you better, and we want to help point you to them).
Your project is very early and not yet ready to take on repayable financing.
Road to Launch
ACIF Project - Phase 1
Led by The Purposeful Group, with support from Realize Capital Partners
Demand and supply validation in region for social finance
January to April 2026
100 stakeholders engaged
27 communities
40 interviews
45 organizations
3 regional stewardship meetings
ACIF Project - Phase 2
Led by Seafair, with support from Realize Capital Partners
Develop and launch social finance fund for Atlantic Canada
September to March 2026
Financial Modeling and Capital Structure
Pipeline Development for Deals (8-12 Deal Sheets)
Capital Raising Strategy and Investor LOIs (8-12 LOIs)
Governance, Legal and Compliance Frameworks
Impact Framework
Operational Readiness & Partnerships
Fund Identity & Branding
Launch Fund in 2027
ACIF - Launch
Built with many hands…
This work is only possible because of the people and organizations already driving impact across Atlantic Canada.
We're grateful to everyone who has shared their time and ideas so far.
ACIF development is led by Seafair, with strategic and grant support from Realize Capital Partners as part of the Government of Canada's Social Finance Fund.
Our partners in this endeavour are The Purposeful Group, and Sweeney & Associates.
… and many voices.
We’re connecting with social purpose organizations, investors, governments, regional network leaders and entrepreneurs to help inform the processes, products and priorities of our fund.
And, we’d love to hear your take.
And follow along below, with our monthly updates.
Latest News & Updates
Coming Soon
Update from ACIF + Community Gathering in Moncton
June 24, 2026
Our Design Team
Aneesh Sasikumar, Seafair
Willa Dunk-Gifford, The Purposeful Group
Ayon Shahed, Seafair
Michael Duah, Seafair
Chelsey MacNeil, The Purposeful Group
Justin Sweeney, Sweeney & Assoc. - Community Financial
Seafair is proud to be working with our partners on this exciting initiative. Alongside the broader Atlantic Canadian ecosystem of community impact organizations, business, philanthropy, charities, co-ops and non-profit we are striving to create a fund that celebrates the potential, imagination, innovation and resiliency of our this beautiful region.
Seafair exists to unlock potential where it matters most.
Our work brings leadership, community insight, and practical systems thinking together to help organizations and communities move forward in meaningful ways.
Shaped by more than two decades of hands‑on experience, we partner with those closest to the work: practitioners, policymakers, technologists, and community leaders.
Our teams help to improve lives, create value, solve challenges, and drive economic progress, making a lasting impact in the communities we call home.
Let’s Chat
We’d love to hear your perspective on an impact fund for the Atlantic Canadian region.