Social Enterprise
Image from the Government of Canada.
DEFINition
Organizations that employ market-based strategies to accomplish a social or environmental mission. Like conventional businesses, social enterprises can provide goods or services (or both), and can operate in any number of sectors. They also take a variety of forms: they can be structured as a for-profit or non-profit organization, a co-operative, a mutual organization or a social business. Definition adapted from MaRS.
We partnered with a social innovation class at Mount Royal University and asked students to create a video explaining one social innovation ‘term’ and connect it to an organization in Alberta that is doing this work well. Here is an explanation of social enterprise and how ALLPA Vertical Farms uses this practice.
Created by Mount Royal University Students Lee Chan, Tyson Kapty, Tyler Lautner, and Guillermo Borges.
Related Terms
A social entrepreneur is a person who pursues novel applications that have the potential to solve community-based problems. These individuals are willing to take on the risk and effort to create positive changes in society through their initiatives (Definition from investopedia). While a social enterprise usually refers to the use of market-based strategies, a social entrepreneur is a more general term for people innovating to create change (which may or may not involve market-based tools) (Definition adapted from MaRS).
Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. Definition from B Corporation.
Resources
B Corporation
Find all the information you need to know about b corporations on this site.
Social Enterprise Council
An alliance of social enterprise leaders who leverage their networks, knowledge and experience in order to build a strong and enabling environment for social enterprise.
The School for Social Entrepreneurs
Offers courses to help you develop your charity or social enterprise.
Starting a Social Enterprise
Start, build, and grow a social enterprise with these guiding steps from the Government of Canada.
Social Enterprise World Forum
SEWF exists to support social enterprises around the globe. By connecting people, hosting events, sharing resources, and news from fellow social enterprises.
Yale Program on Social Enterprise
Offers programs, case studies, events, and news related to social enterprise.
Alberta Examples
Companies that Provide Support to Social Enterprises
Edmonton Community Development Company
A non-profit organization devoted to working with inner city neighbourhoods in the areas of economic development, job training and creation, affordable housing, social infrastructure (e.g. child care centres, community kitchens and gardens) and other development that will add value to the socio-economic lives of area residents.
Innovate Calgary
Creates innovative solutions in science and engineering, life and medical sciences, and in new ventures. Their catalyze program supports social ventures to scale with impact and revenue.
Trico Charitable Foundation
Supports social enterprises through programs and funding.
ATB Entrepreneur Centre
Offers advice, tools, and mentorship for all stages of social enterprises.
The Sedge
Guides fellow social enterprises through their start-up journey.
Examples of Social Enterprise Organizations
Redemptive Developments
A non-profit organization whose mission is to achieve social good by establishing sustainable social enterprise. Its social enterprises include mattress recycling and junk removal companies employing people with barriers to employment.
Universal Access
A consulting firm with the goal to make spaces accessible for all.
CMN Good Linens
CMN Good Linens employs those in poverty, and who may not otherwise be able to get a job, through a local laundry business.
The Nook Cafe
Builds community through a space of warmth and belonging with everyday foods of comfort, handcrafted beverages, and an experience of togetherness.
Deepwater Farms
Uses aquaponics, a closed loop system, to create and sell fresh produce and fish to local businesses.
Outside Alberta examples
The Social Enterprise Manitoba
Social Enterprise Manitoba is there to ‘meet you where you are’ and offer services such as access to resources, access to a network of peers, training opportunities, planning support, and training support.
Skwachays Lodge
Skwachays Lodge houses two social enterprises. One is a gallery that showcases Indigenous artistic and cultural work. The second is 18 boutique hotel units for socially responsible travellers that were each uniquely designed by an Indigenous artist.