We are leaders in social enterprise development. Let us share our knowledge and resources with you.
Imagine getting the products and services you or your business need while also positively impacting the community you live in. You can do this by purchasing from social enterprises.
The Canadian Social Enterprise Guide, 2nd Edition – Enterprising Non Profits
This guide attempts to answer important questions, including; How can you tell if your group is ready to embark on a social enterprise? What are the steps in a social enterprise planning process? How do you identify and assess enterprise opportunities? How do you plan for a social enterprise? How can you measure social returns in a business setting? What do you need to know about the legal context? The guide is directed at project managers, executive directors, directors, and staffs of a wide range of organizations that are starting to develop or think about creating a new enterprise or expanding/formalizing their existing revenue-generating programs. It will also be useful for students, corporate social responsibility businesses, government, industry, and funders.
https://www.vancitycommunityfoundation.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/Final_SEGuide_V2l_LowRes.pdf
Social Enterprises in Canada: Structural Options – MaRS
This 2012 article considers various structural options for social enterprise including the pros and cons of each.
http://www.marsdd.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/MaRSReport-Social-Enterprise_2012.pdf
20 Questions Directors of Not-for-Profit Organizations Should Ask About Social Enterprise – Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada
This 2014 publication will help directors of an NFP considering or already conducting activities through a social enterprise, address common issues and questions regarding such operations.
https://ccednet-rcdec.ca/en/toolbox/20-questions-directors-not-profit-organizations-should-ask
REDF Jobs Report: Social Enterprises, Economic Self-Sufficiency, and Life Stability
This 2015 study by REDF in the U.S. was undertaken to evaluate the impact of social enterprise for people facing barriers to work and its benefits for society.
https://ccednet-rcdec.ca/en/toolbox/redf-jobs-report-social-enterprises-economic-self
From Social Enterprise to Social Franchise: An Introductory Guide to Achieving Scale Through Replication – Centre for Social Innovation
In this 2016 publication, CSI shares what they’ve learned in their exploration of scaling, licensing, and franchising.
https://ccednet-rcdec.ca/en/toolbox/social-enterprise-social-franchise-introductory-guide
Impact to Last: Lessons from the Front Lines of Social Enterprise by REDF
REDF commissioned Impact to Last to inform and inspire entrepreneurial employers by examining the instructive lessons and scaled success of a number of 10 high-performing social enterprises across the U.S. By investigating and then sharing the experiences and practices of these innovative businesses, Impact to Last provides uniques into the range of factors that have contributed to their success, both individually and collectively.
THRIVING OR SURVIVING: Social Enterprises in the GTA – Social Enterprise Toronto
This 2014 publication examines several issues relating to and affecting growth for social enterprises in the Social Enterprise Toronto network. The research focuses on three distinct areas including: marketing practices and needs; food-based social enterprises; and start-up stories.
Community Benefits and Social Procurement Policies
In response to fiscal pressures and broader societal trends, many governments are seeking to unlock greater value from their infrastructure investments and procurement spending. Through community benefits and social procurement policies, which align with spending and purchasing activities with broader public policy objectives, governments are changing the way they do business to reap greater social and economic benefits.
A Guide to Social Procurement
This guidebook is an introduction to the why, what, and how of social procurement in Canada.It is written for several audiences: organizations taking the necessary steps towards social procurement implementation; others considering whether to or how to integrate social value into their current procurement practices; or simply those curi-ous about social procurement more generally.
Exploring Social Procurement – Accelerating Social Impact
This 2014 report examines an innovative market-based opportunity to create social impact through existing purchasing.
https://ccednet-rcdec.ca/en/toolbox/exploring-social-procurement
Social Enterprise Business Structure
The Income Tax Act allows charitable organizations and public foundations to undertake related business activities, but not unrelated business activities, while private foundations cannot undertake any business activities. This is a must-read for any charities considering undertaking social enterprise.
Community Economic Development Activities and Charitable Registration Guide
Community economic development (CED) activities can be charitable when they further a charitable purpose. Organizations that carry out CED activities may be eligible for charitable registration under the Income Tax Act if all their activities further charitable purposes. Generally, CED activities involve improving economic opportunities and social conditions of an identified community.
Social Business Model Canvas
The Business Model Canvas adapted and repurposed to include elements all social enterprises should consider.