Social enterprise
A social enterprise is an organization or program that is driven by a public benefit mission, and sells goods or services to earn a revenue, while also helping achieve its positive social, cultural or environmental objectives. Social enterprises can help promote resilience in rural communities by enabling community members to create positive, sustainable change. They can support economic development and this is why Community Futures East Kootenay (CFEK) has taken a leading role to support the development of social enterprises.
CFEK, in partnership with Impact Toolbox, are leading the Innovate for Impact program that provides hands-on support to individuals and organizations exploring social enterprise. This program advances social entrepreneurship in the Kootenays by supporting purpose-driven innovators with the tools, training, and community to build impactful, sustainable ventures.
Innovate for Impact builds on the pilot project CFEK ran in 2023, which enabled nonprofit organizations to look at developing social enterprises to support diversified and sustained funding. The project supported the growth of the entrepreneurial mindset of the nonprofits in the region which will in turn support the economic growth and impact in our local communities. Find resources and more information about the pilot here or read more about the four local organizations who completed the incubation program and are in various stages of social enterprise development.
If you are wanting to set up or grow a social enterprise in the East Kootenay region, please reach out to Community Futures East Kootenay’s Community Economic Development Manager, Robyn Peel – ced@cfek.ca
social enterprise resources
- Buy Social Canada’s Guide to Social Enterprise.
- Social Enterprise World Forum’s Rural Manifesto
- Impact Toolbox have a range of programs and supports for interested social entrepreneurs and social purpose organizations.
- Purppl have a range of supports for growing social enterprises.
- Thriving Non-Profits is a training program delivered online through Scale Collaborative. They also have a Social Enterprise Acquisition course especially for those looking to acquire a business and transforming it into a social enterprise.