New Fund Available for Young Alberta Entrepreneurs to Build Businesses that Balance Profits and Community Impact

Enterprising Non-Profits Alberta (enp-AB) and Capital One Canada announced the expansion of an innovative program for Alberta youth and non-profits servicing youth. The Capital One Youth Entrepreneurship Fund will be available starting June 2013 and will provide grants to support the development of revenue-generating enterprises across Alberta, to enhance their programs or services, or as a way to stabilize and diversify a charity’s funding base.

Federal Government lends support for launch of Enterprising Non-Profits Canada, enp-Canada, a network of social enterprise communities across the country…

In a historic collaboration, seven regional non-profit organizations have come together to launch Enterprising Non-Profits Canada / enp-Canada. In the past, local enp sites have offered business planning and technical assistance to non-profit organizations wishing to develop, launch and grow social enterprises. enp-Canada will now provide a platform for synthesizing those efforts, collecting insights and promoting further partnerships in the advancement of social enterprise in Canada. Social enterprises are businesses operated by non-profit organizations for the blended purpose of creating social value and generating income from sales.

Government of Canada Investment Supports Social Enterprise

Trico Charitable Foundation is receiving over $1.5 million in federal government funding for its Enterprising Non-Profits Canada project. This project will test the ability of not-for-profit organizations to leverage non-federal government funding to address social challenges. Trico Charitable Foundation will support the development of the social enterprise sector by coordinating and pooling ideas and resources across the country.

ENP-AB: Building Your Social Enterprise Workshop, Edmonton, April 30th, 2012

Are you a non-profit or charitable organization interested in learning more about social enterprise? Join us in Edmonton on April 30th, for our last spring 2012 enp-ab Building your Social Enterprise workshop. Enterprising Non-Profits Alberta (enp-ab) provides workshops, technical assistance and grants to non-profit organizations supporting the development or growth of their social enterprises. The workshop is for all organizations, regardless of cause, to learn more about social enterprise or to refresh their knowledge. The workshop content covers the foundational elements and development path of social enterprise. Attendance at the workshop ensures that staff and board members have a thorough understanding of the issues involved in enterprise development and is a pre-requisite of prospective grant applicants. The workshop runs from 9:00am until approximately 3:30pm, including lunch and coffee breaks. Lunch will be provided, as will a copy of the Canadian Social Enterprise Guide. Event Registration Online for April 30, 2012 Enterprising Non-Profits Alberta: Building Your Social Enterprise Workshop (Edmonton) powered by...

Learning About Social Enterprise

When I joined the Trico Charitable Foundation three weeks ago, I thought that I had limited knowledge of social enterprise. However, today I am realizing that working for a non-profit organization really is a hands on experience in social enterprise. Previous to my position with the Trico Foundation, I had worked at a non-profit art gallery and museum. This non-profit organization sold artwork on behalf of artists, while retaining a commission to be re-invested in the organization. The art gallery and museum has a small gift shop that features Alberta artists and artisans, retailing fine craft, local authors and art. The museum offers historic tours by donation, while the gallery holds regular workshops for artists and art enthusiasts. The organization also has a popular elementary school art education program and successful summer camp. After attending the Enterprising Non- Profits (enp-ab) workshop “Building Your Social Enterprise”, I realized that I had been working in a budding social enterprise. The organization I had worked for provided multiple opportunities for Alberta artists and craftspeople to retail their artwork, while preserving and promoting the history of the founders, the organization and the community. As well as providing arts education to artists, the public and children. Most importantly, their numerous programs furthered their mission and vision by making arts and culture more accessible to Alberta’s public. Since starting at the Trico Charitable Foundation, I have realized that social enterprises help to create healthy communities. They do this while obtaining a blended return on their investment, meaning a combination of social and financial returns. The Business Model and Non-Profit Continuum diagrams helped me to better...

ENP-AB: Building Your Social Enterprise Workshop, Sylvan Lake, March 20th, 2012

Are you a non-profit or charitable organization interested in learning more about social enterprise? Join us in Sylvan Lake on March 20th, for one of our spring 2012 Building your Social Enterprise workshops. Enterprising Non-Profits Alberta (enp-ab) provides workshops, technical assistance and grants to non-profit organizations supporting the development or growth of their social enterprises. The workshop is for all organizations, regardless of cause, to learn more about social enterprise or to refresh their knowledge. The workshop content covers the foundational elements and development path of social enterprise. Attendance at the workshop ensures that staff and board members have a thorough understanding of the issues involved in enterprise development and is a pre-requisite of prospective grant applicants. The workshop runs from 9:00am until approximately 3:30pm, including lunch and coffee breaks. Lunch will be provided, as will a copy of the Canadian Social Enterprise Guide. Event registration for March 20, 2012 Enterprising Non-Profits Alberta: Building Your Social Enterprise Workshop (Sylvan Lake) powered by Eventbrite...