[box] “Storytelling is one of the most powerful forces in humanity. As a private foundation, we have learned that our work is better when we tell stories and when we listen to them. One of the great challenges to advancing social entrepreneurship lies in the way we tell our stories. What is needed are stories that reveal, and perhaps even revel in, the hard-fought journeys and extraordinary impact that are at the heart of being a successful social entrepreneur.”
Trico Charitable Foundation, Introduction to 2015 Case Study[/box]
The Trico Charitable Foundation is inviting Canadian post-secondary institutions to apply to undertake case studies on its Social EnterPrize recipients. In total, five social enterprises will be studied:
- three Vancouver-based organizations: The Cleaning Solution, Mission Possible, & Potluck Cafe;
- one Hawkesbury, Ontario-based organization: Groupe Convex Prescott-Russell; and
- one Calgary-based organization: Women In Need Society [WINS].
Different post-secondary institutions/ research institutes may be selected to undertake the five case studies. Preference will be given to post-secondary institutions/research institutes that are in the city of the organization studied. Post-secondary institutions/research institutes are encouraged, but not required, to partner with other post-secondary institutions/research institutes in producing the case study.
Details of the project scope and RFP are available here.
Proposals must be received by Friday May 20th, 2016.
Applicants will join a distinguished list of Canadian post-secondary institutions that have written case studies on Social EnterPrize recipients:
- Diversity Institute, Ted Rogers School of Management, Ryerson University;
- Sauder Centre for Social Innovation & Impact Investing, Sauder School of Business, The University of British Columbia;
- Okanagan School of Business, Okanagan College; and
- QSB Centre for Social Impact, Queen’s School of Business.
You can see the studies of the 2013 recipients here.
Background:
Trico Charitable Foundation, established in 2008, seeks to provoke innovation and build capacity in social entrepreneurship. The Social EnterPrize was created to recognize and celebrate leadership and excellence in social entrepreneurship across Canada. The biennial award was first presented in 2011.
The Foundation tried something new for the 2013 Social EnterPrize: it funded case studies of the recipients undertaken by Canadian post-secondary institutions. It hoped the studies would be a win-win, adding profile for the recipients and telling the story of successful social enterprises in Canada in a way that inspires and empowers others. The effort was a huge success, so much so that the Foundation is commissioning case studies on both the 2011 and 2015 Social EnterPrize recipients.