by Trico | Aug 1, 2012 | Canadian Social Enterprises, Case Study, Feature Grantee, Social Enterprise
This month’s blog will put the spotlight on Calgary Reads, an organization that is inspired to create a thriving community where all children can read with confidence and joy. Calgary Reads is an early literacy initiative that provides help to struggling readers in grades one and two. Their core program, Calgary Reads @ School, is an in-school program offered in the Calgary area. Trained tutors work with these students for a total of 33 sessions that last for 40 minutes each, twice a week. Social Enterprise Opportunity Calgary Reads was among Trico Charitable Foundation and Enterprising Non-Profits Alberta’s (enp-AB) very first group of grantees. Calgary Reads was exploring the idea of starting a social enterprise that would further both their mission and help achieve financial stability. They first came upon the idea of an after-school tutoring program through their relationship with the U of C’s Faculty of Education. This partnership would provide education students with paid positions to tutor struggling elementary students after school for 33 sessions. This opportunity would also help generate additional revenue for Calgary Reads to continue and improve its programs, since Calgary Reads currently meets its budget through funding from individuals, corporations, foundations, and the annual CBC Calgary Reads book sale. Feasibility Study With the grant that Calgary Reads received, they conducted a feasibility study for the after-school tutoring program. From this study, they realized that they had two significant market advantages. First, Calgary Reads had a close relationship with the CBE and could gain access to many struggling students. Another market advantage was Calgary Reads’ brand identity and established methodology that is proven to...
