May 2021

Find the full newsletter here: Updates for Albertan Changemakers (May 2021)

Resources

  1. Acclaimed author Esi Edugyan to deliver 2021 Massey Lectures on art and race
    We know how integral art and creativity can be for the design process. We also know that innovation centred on inclusivity that challenges colonial narratives comes up with great ideas. We're really proud that Esi Edugyan, an acclaimed Albertan author, will be giving the Massey lecture this year and focusing on art and race.

  2. The Banker Ladies (2021)
    This 20 minute documentary about ROSCAs (rotating credit and savings associations, or informal financial institutions), co-operatives and mutual aid among Black Canadian women in Toronto is a great glimpse at social economic structures already at play in Canada. How might these long-standing ideas about mutual savings inspire social innovation in Alberta?

March 2021

Find the full newsletter here: Updates for Albertan Changemakers (March 2021)

Innovator's Spotlight: The Arctic Inspiration Prize Winners

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The Arctic Inspiration Prize is an intriguing model for funding innovations with a strong social focus: building a strong North, by the North and for the North. Check out this article in The Philanthropist to learn more about the 35 prizewinners, their projects, and more about the model of philanthropy used to choose the (mainly Indigenous) innovators they fund.

Resources

  1. The Final Symphony: ‘Sounding Together’. A sonic gift, the shape of social innovation in urgent times. 

    This 25-minute piece ‘Sounding Together’ from chaos to catharsis, was created by six Artist-Composers in response to the stories, pain, hope, and actions from around the world, collected during SIX Wayfinder 2020. Their collaboration spanned four months across time-zones, only ever meeting over Zoom, using a collage of iphone recordings and makeshift studio set ups during lockdown, from Singapore, Poland, Greece, UK and Canada.

Opportunities

  1. 2021 Social EnterPrize (Deadline March 25)
    Calling Canada’s Social Entrepreneurs: Win $100,000 and Help Build a Movement via Trico Foundation and Haskayne School.

  2. Social R&D: A National Practice Gathering (March 30 & 31)
    Social Innovation Canada will host the 2nd annual gathering to connect the Social R&D field nationally. The two half days will weave in large group storytelling, small group interactions, and collaborative problem solving. Register >>>

  3. Level up your leadership at Social Venture Institute (SVI) Women Virtual (April 28-30)
    As women entrepreneurs you’re used to overcoming obstacles. Now we face some of the biggest challenges of our time. For countless women, the burden of unpaid care and domestic labor has exploded, along with job loss at a rate that is 1.8 times that of men.

    Social Venture Institute (SVI) Women is a one-of-a-kind experience for mission-driven women entrepreneurs to problem-solve and innovate in this new normal, while creating a meaningful community in a brave and intentionally curated space. Invest in yourself and the essential work you’re doing to make the world a more just and sustainable place on April 28 -30th.

  4. Buy Social Canada Symposium (April 26)
    You’re invited to join the Buy Social Canada Symposium to connect with leading social purchasers and suppliers, learn from industry experts, and celebrate the Social Procurement Champion Awards. The Symposium promises to be an event that will get you fired up, out of your chair and ready to harness the power of purchasing to create healthy, vibrant communities. Register today!

  5. Reducing Barriers and Driving Innovation Program (Deadline May 7)
    SEF’s donation program for Canadian post-secondary institutions is called “Driving Innovation and Reducing Barriers.” This program was created to further support SEF’s existing funding priorities, and reduce or eliminate barriers to participation for students and community members while supporting society in moving toward a more fair and sustainable economic system. Program Overview | Program Application Form

January 2021

Find the full newsletter here: Updates for Albertan Changemakers (January 2021)

Innovator's Spotlight: AB Seed

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Our partners at AB Seed have officially launched their new website! AB Seed, Alberta Social Economy Ecosystem Development, is a collaborative of social enterprise and social finance leaders seeking to develop a strong social economy ecosystem in Alberta.

Join the ecosystem today to connect with others in the ecosystem, access resources to help guide your work, find more information about AB Seed, and stories of work and enterprises from across Alberta.

Opportunities

  1. Local Investing YYC Investor Information Session (Feb. 2)
    Interested in learning more about Local Investing YYC? Join them for their information session February 2 where you can meet the team and learn more about Local Investing YYC.

  2. Merger: A Strategy for Resilience in the COVID-19 Era (Feb. 4)
    Hosted by the Sustainability Network, the COVID-19 era and the emerging recession bring stark challenges to environmental NGOs. Merger is a strategy that organizations can consider to survive this storm and thrive in the years ahead. This webinar presents an overview of nonprofit mergers.

  3. Webinar: Seeking Funding Fairness for Black Communities (Feb 3)
    This webinar will explore Unfunded report implications for grantmakers and community leaders, and will showcase how tangible community-driven solutions such as the Foundation for Black Community can address the funding gap for Black communities.

  4. Financing Social Change (Feb. 9)
    Hosted by the Institute of Community Prosperity and Momentum. This workshop will explore what financing tools exist to support social change efforts from self-sustaining revenue for nonprofits to investment cooperatives to the growing impact investing sector. Learn from fearless pioneers that have succeeded in creating sustainable large-scale community change through different financing solutions.

  5. Trico Changemakers Studio: Changemaker Conversations (Feb 11)
    From Insight to Action, The Changemaker Conversations Project is a space for generative dialogue, meaningful connection and inspiration. We believe that everyone is a changemaker and that by sharing our stories, experience and knowledge, we activate and inspire the work of social change. Join us for our conversation Feb. 11 about the intersect of climate action and social justice.

December 2020

Find the full newsletter here: Updates for Albertan Changemakers (December 2020)

Innovator's Spotlight: Eily Aurora

I Am Here With You is a song and video about the power of human connection. It shares moments of truly being "here" with each other through grief, challenges and struggles. It also celebrates playfulness, joy and spontaneous creativity as a path forward. The way is through. And, as the Harp Faery shows us, this can be fun!

Eily Aurora is a singer, songwriter, harpist, changemaker, and alumni of the ABSI Community Catalyst Program

Changemaker Stories

  • Indigenous Entrepreneurs Hope to Bridge their Culture and Fort McMurray with a Trading Network (Community Written Story)
    A passion for sharing their culture has inspired two Indigenous entrepreneurs to create a trading network open to everyone in the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo area. Article written by Sarah Williscraft for Fort McMurray Today

    Read More >

Opportunities

  1. Local Investing YYC Capital Raise
    Local Investing YYC is currently accepting applications for our 2020/2021 capital raise. The application is open to Calgary-based local businesses and social enterprises that are generating social/environmental impact in our community and seeking $150k-$400k in early-growth capital (post seed funding). Applications must be received by no later than December 31, 2020 in order to be considered for our raise closing early Spring 2021. If interested, check out our investment criteria and complete our online application form.

Resources

  1. Support Local Shops in Calgary
    Online shopping is at an all-time high this holiday season, but that doesn’t mean you need to turn to the retail giants to do your shopping. Calgary based people can take advantage of the Be Local Network gift guide as well as Buy Local Prime Days: send proof to the Be Local network that you've cancelled your Prime account and they will send you a $79 gift card to spend in their store! Unfortunately this offer is only for Calgary residents - but we'd love to see other regions in the province do this, too!

November 2020

Find the full newsletter here: Updates for Albertan Changemakers (November 2020)

Opportunities

  1. TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good
    The TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good, a $100 million social impact investment fund created to power the biggest, boldest, bravest ideas in new responsible and sustainable startup businesses. The fund will invest in entrepreneurs building solutions aimed at improving healthcare, furthering social and economic inclusion, ensuring sustainable food production, and reducing our environmental footprint.

  2. Indigenous Innovators Gathering - Dec. 3, 2020
    Gather your sage, put some coffee on, and start practicing your introductions — the Indigenous Innovators Gathering is December 3, 2020! Join Animikii as they host their first gathering focusing on social entrepreneurship. We will be learning about how our guests stay true to their values and incorporate those lessons into their business.

    No panels, no speeches: this online gathering will feature conversations and guests will have a chance to reflect and talk about the lessons learned from each session. Open to all.

  3. Have Your Say in the Provincial Budget
    Funding can be a major part of systems change. Follow this link to have your say in the provincial budget.

  4. Support Local Shops in Calgary
    Online shopping is at an all-time high this holiday season, but that doesn’t mean you need to turn to the retail giants to do your shopping. Calgary based people can take advantage of the Be Local Network gift guide as well as Buy Local Prime Days: send proof to the Be Local network that you've cancelled your Prime account and they will send you a $79 gift card to spend in their store! Unfortunately this offer is only for Calgary residents - but we'd love to see other regions in the province do this, too!

  5. SDX28: RECOVER’s Well-Being Framework - Dec. 4, 2020
    SDX invites you to come and learn what insights the RECOVER team have unearthed through their two years of research and experience trying to improve urban wellness. A framework for wellbeing has emerged and they are using it to help design meaningful interventions.

Resources

  1. Cheryl Foggo's documentary John Ware Reclaimed is now available through the National Film Board website. Foggo’s research uncovers who this iconic figure might have been, and what his legacy means in terms of anti-Black racism, both past and present.

    If you are attached to a school, library or community organization, you may already have access; if not, take a look at their CAMPUS individual pass to get access to a variety of film resources about major contemporary issues.

October 2020

Find the full newsletter here: Updates for Albertan Changemakers (October 2020)

Innovator Spotlight

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As a social innovator and children's edutainer and host of Kujo's kid zone, Randy Quansah (Kujo) has been in the right place at the right time to help talk to kids about some of the biggest issues of 2020. Check out his kickstarter to help support his program and learn more about his show, and the thoughtful way their team brings together STEM, social issues and creativity to help create the global ambassadors of tomorrow.

Opportunities

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  1. Systems Transformation Innovation Forum 2.0 (Nov. 5)
    The Innovation Forum 2.0 is a celebration and showcase of prototypes created in the Systems Transformation Labs that seek to create a more accessible and equitable social safety net. We will be showcasing the hard work and creativity of our community who have developed prototypes that democratize and digitize services to enhance wellbeing, give end users more control of their journey, improve service quality and capacity, and create a common inventory of services for improved integration between service providers. Virtual Tickets | In-Person Tickets

  2. Soul of the Next Economy Forum (Nov. 16-20)
    Where business, the non-profit sector, government, and educational institutions converge to change the way we do business and impact society. Attend Soul of the Next Economy for lively panel discussions, informative sessions, networking opportunities, and thought provoking keynote speakers!

  3. Enlightened Economy Summit 2020 (Nov. 12)
    This year, the Summit will examine inspiration and action through the lenses of business, community, government and individuals who are shaping, disrupting, and re-imagining the world. This year’s theme - Crisis as a Catalyst for Change - is focused on how to use this time of turmoil as an opportunity to reset and build a more sustainable future for all.

September 2020

Find the full newsletter here: Updates for Albertan Changemakers (September 2020)

Resources

  1. Anti-Oppressive Facilitation Guide
    This toolkit is designed to help facilitate conversations about anti-oppressive work and actions. 

  2. Unleashing Local Capital - Exploring Social Financing For Capital Projects
    How might we turn social capital into financial capital to enhance community impact? How might organizations with a social purpose capitalize on the growing trend of local investors who want to support good in their community within their portfolio? Watch this webinar recording from Alberta Community Co-op Association and Tapestry to find out more. If you want to further explore the potential of community bonds or equity raises to advance your mission, please contact Paul Cabaj at execdir@acca.coop or via phone at 780-716-4475.

  3. Policy Advocacy Tools
    These tools are designed to help people interested in policy issues to understand the levels of government, and both where and how to contact government to advocate for change.

  4. Edmonton Shift Lab Prototypes for Anti-Racism
    Edmonton's Shift Lab has been testing and prototyping a series of tools to help address racism: a wicked problem that was identified as contributing to poverty. This video gives a sneak peek into the prototypes the Shift Lab is creating to answer some great questions: how might we reimagine what it means to be a treaty person? How might we create an interactive empathy experience that strives to reduce racist behaviour over time? How might we encourage pathways that help potential allies for racial justice overcome white fragility? How might we design intervention(s) that de-escalate public displays of overt racist behaviour? Take a look through their website to see a few of the tools they've used and released.

Opportunities

  1. Economics of Social Change (Starts October 6)
    Economics of Social Change is a 5-part workshop series presented by the Institute of Community Prosperity and Momentum, designed for community leaders curious about how to apply economic tools for social change. The content is highly localized, digging into the historical context of the economy today, levers for change including advocacy opportunities, social procurement, the power of networks to scale solutions and the changing nature of business with an emphasis on cooperative development and social entrepreneurship. Participants may enroll in any workshop based on interest, or take all five workshops for a discounted rate and certificate of completion. 

  2. Power and Privilege with George Aye (Oct. 16)
    SDX (Systemic Design eXchange) has released their Fall 2020 series lineup, with all events held over zoom. The first one will be hosted by George Aye from Chicago's Greater Good Studio leading a two-hour virtual session on power and privilege.

  3. Socially Distanced Social R & D (Oct. 2)
    How do we do Social R&D in the context of a pandemic? Join SI Canada for a share session: Connecting with Community in the Context of Social Distancing. 

  4. Level up your leadership at Social Venture Institute (Oct.13 – 16)
    As an entrepreneur, you’re used to overcoming obstacles. Now we face some of the biggest challenges of our time. Social Venture Institute (SVI) Hollyhock is a one-of-a-kind experience for social entrepreneurs and mission-driven leaders. Join us this October to problem-solve and innovate in this new normal and create community in a brave and carefully curated space. 

  5. An Adventure in Procurement: Selling to the Federal Government (Starts Oct. 13)
    Are you a social enterprise/social purpose business interested in selling your goods and services to the federal government? Do you want to learn more about becoming a supplier, finding relevant opportunities, and understanding how to bid on these tenders? If so, please join this 4-part webinar series to learn more about federal government procurement processes, opportunities, and ultimately work through the process to bid on a federal tender.

  6. Soul of the Next Economy Forum (Nov. 16-20)
    Where business, the non-profit sector, government, and educational institutions converge to change the way we do business and impact society. Attend Soul of the Next Economy for lively panel discussions, informative sessions, networking opportunities, and thought provoking keynote speakers!

August 2020

Find the full newsletter here: Updates for Albertan Changemakers (August 2020)

Resources

  1. Ted Talk from Brandy Old
    Catch this Ted Talk from ABSI Community Catalyst Program Participant Brandy Old on the topic of failure. She chats about how to change your metric of success and why failure is an important tool in success. 

  2. Morning Keynote with Jehiel Oliver (September 3)
    Jehiel Oliver is the CEO & Founder of Hello Tractor - an award-winning diversified ag-tech company focused on improving food and income security throughout sub-Saharan Africa. He's the Morning Keynote for Startup Edmonton on September 3rd. Join them with your morning coffee, as Jehiel discusses the challenges and successes he’s faced during his entrepreneurial journey.

  3. Buffalo Runners Podcast
    Latasha Calf Robe at the Institute for Community Prosperity of MRU has launched Buffalo Runners, a podcast featuring Indigenous changemakers from Treaty 7. Latasha unpacks why and how these leaders pursued the path they did so that MRU students and others may be able to learn from their experience. 

Opportunities

  1. Social Enterprise Bootcamp: Fall 2020
    Do you have an idea for a business that will bring about positive social, cultural, or environmental change? Test the market viability of your idea at Social Enterprise Bootcamp, a results-oriented, impactful, online workshop series beginning September 2020!

  2. Canada World Youth Innovation Challenge (Deadline September 30)
    Are you between 15-30 and interested in gender equality, quality education, economic growth, reduced inequalities or climate action? CWY is looking for you to submit an idea that falls within one of the CWY pillars and contributes to the advancement of one or more of the CWY affiliated SDGs. 

  3. Canada's Top 100 Recovery Projects (Deadline August 30)
    Nominate your own project or one you really admire to be one of the top 100 recovery projects in Canada!

  4. Stars of Alberta Volunteer Awards (Deadline September 15)
    Nominate a youth, adult or senior volunteer for the Stars of Alberta Volunteer Awards that recognizes extraordinary Albertans whose volunteer efforts have contributed to the well-being of their community and fellow community members.

  5. Economics of Social Change (Starts October 6)
    Economics of Social Change is a 5-part workshop series designed for people that are curious on how to apply an economic lens to social issues. The workshops are an economically accessible informal learning series for people passionate about community.

  6. Social Innovation Continuing Education
    Are you interested in learning about Social Innovation in an academia setting? Register for the Social Innovation Certificate or the Community Investment Professionals Certificate offered by the Institute for Community Prosperity at Mount Royal University. 

July 2020

Find the full newsletter here: Updates for Albertan Changemakers (July 2020)

Resources

  1. Blending Systems and Design Practice for Social Good
    This dynamic read about blending systems and design practices for social good. The author writes about the bushfires in Australia, the pandemic, Black Lives Matter movement and many other crises impacting our society and how we can restructure our systems to better support the impacts from them all.

  2. Recording of Good Online Facilitation: Tools and Techniques for Social Innovators
    Thanks to those who joined us for our webinar on good online facilitation. Big thank you to Chloe Waretini, Matt Mayer, and Jill Andres - three of the most fun, skilled remote facilitators in Canada - who shared their wealth of knowledge on the subject. Catch the recording for all the tips and tricks shared in this session on how to conduct online facilitation!

  3. House of Commons Finance Committee call for public consultation
    Our friends at Imagine Canada have made it simple for you to let the federal government know how you want them to consider its policy priorities for the 2021 federal budget. Use their simple toolkit to answer the House of Commons Finance Committee call for public consultation before August 7, 2020.

  4. Article Will the Real Venture Capitalists Please Stand Up?
    The article by Amoye Henry in July's Disruption Magazine (page 6) adeptly outlines barriers faced by Black women who are innovative startup founders, not least of which is that data on this sector simply does not exist in Canada. What data is out there is grim: of a recent federal grant to support 300 diverse, woman - owned businesses, two of those businesses were started by Black founders. Find out more about Amoye's call to crowdsource funding for reasearch to build a more inclusive venture capital sector.

  5. Conversation Guide: Bridges to the Future
    This conversation guide from the UK's 'Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce' (RSA) includes printable conversation guides, links to templates you can use on Miro and as Google Docs, and a framework to build 'bridges to the future.' What future states of change have we started to create as we continue to handle the parallel global crises of climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic, both of which we know disproportionately affect communities lived in by racialized Canadians. Where do we go next? What gives us hope? If you use this framework to have a conversation in your local community, we'd love to hear how it went!

Opportunities

  1. Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant (Deadline August 31)
    Funding for small and medium-sized businesses, co-ops and non-profits impacted by COVID-19 to offset a portion of their relaunch costs.

  2. Community Foundations of Canada's Investment Readiness Program grant will open September 8th (Deadline October 9th)

    Find information here about this final round of grants from CFC for investment readiness - their landing page has information on who was funded in the last round, FAQ's on filling out the application, and more. Innoweave is offering supportive workshops to anyone thinking of applying - find out more here.

June 2020

Find the full newsletter here: Updates from Albertan Changemakers (June 2020)

Action

  1. Stand in Solidarity with Black Canadians: Donate to the Black Solidarity Fund Today
    Standing with the Black community, the Black Solidarity Fund is an opportunity to stand up against intolerance, prejudice, and injustice, and support charities across Canada focused on the advancement of Black Canadians. Plus, until July 31st, 2020 every dollar donated to the Black Solidarity Fund will be matched by P&G Canada up to $1 million.

Resources

  1. Building Trust Before Truth: How Non-Indigenous Canadians Become Allies
    A story from a Manitoban woman on how she is working to become a better non-Indigenous Canadian ally through the respect of boundaries, reliability, accountability, integrity, developing your trust vault, non-judgemental, compassion, generosity, balance, and equity to seek trust and seek truth. 

  2. Truth and Reconciliation: Reflecting on the last 5 Years
    The Local Good is an Edmonton-based connects and mobilizes people in Edmonton who want to lead more sustainable lives and support the local economy. This month they held a session reflecting on 5 years of Truth and Reconciliation, with panelists from the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and RISE - Reconciliation in Solidarity Edmonton. See the the  zoom call recording here.

  3. Alberta nonprofits and charities struggling financially during pandemic
    The Alberta Nonprofit Network (ABNN) surveyed their members to gather an understanding of the impacts the pandemic has had on non-profits and what is needed most for them to continue doing their work. Read the full article here.

  4. Indigenous Entrepreneurship in Canada: The Impact and the Opportunity
    This article takes you through the state of pre-covid Indigenous entrepreneurship in Canada through to the current state of Indigenous entrepreneurship in Canada.

  5. Race Anonymous: A Short Film by Melanee Murray-Hunt
    Calgary filmmaker Melanee Murray-Hunt's award-winning film, Race Anonymous, is a great example of how art can help us talk about race. Race Anonymous shows a compassionate path forward through the insidious addictions to racial prejudice and other harmful substances. Follow her on twitter @melaneemurrayhu.

  6. Our Canada, Our Story
    In time for Canada Day, we'd love to amplify and highlight the Our Canada, Our Story project from Action Dignity. This project works towards systems change, anti-racism and building a community that truly welcomes all to Canada. Watch the video of this art project here. 

  7. PPE Supply Chain Throughout Canada
    We want to make sure all our innovators going back to work in person have access to buying and selling proper PPE. Check out this page from the Government of Canada with more information on the PPE supply chain throughout the country.

Opportunities

  1. Launchpad: A pitch competition tackling the health and care challenges of today (Deadline July 22)
    I4’s pitch competition will showcase exceptional ideas tackling the health and care challenges of today.
 
Participants will present their transformative idea, project or change initiative in front of a live audience and a panel
of expert judges for a chance to win awards and get
priceless exposure. *Applications are open to everyone! Including health professionals, nonprofits, social enterprises, entrepreneurs, students and community members. 

  2. Introducing WEKH/FWE: Sharing Platform
    The Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub (WEKH), in partnership with the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs (FWE), has launched a new, bilingual online platform to help women entrepreneurs and the women who support them across Canada connect and share resources. Post an Ask to request what you need, and offer a Give if there is something you can share to help others. Learn more here!

  3. Webinar: Basic Income and Economic Recovery
    Basic Income Calgary is holding a webinar on basic income and economic recoveryin Canada on June 30th at 10:30am MDT.

  4. Alberta Culture Days Grant Application Open till July 16
    Any groups wishing to host cultural events in person or virtually during Alberta Culture Days this September can apply for grants until July 16th. These grants can only go to registered community organizations, but do encourage partnerships. How might we use 'culture' as an entryway to encourage an innovative future?

May 2020

Find the full newsletter here: Updates from Albertan Changemakers (May 2020)

Resources

  1. Read, Listen, Tell: Indigenous Stories from Turtle Island 
    "From short fiction to as-told-to narratives, from illustrated stories to personal essays, these stories celebrate the strength of heritage and the liveliness of innovation. Ranging in tone from humorous to defiant to triumphant, the stories explore core concepts in Indigenous literary expression, such as the relations between land, language, and community, the variety of narrative forms, and the continuities between oral and written forms of expression." David Gaertner (one of many editors ]contributing to this book of stories) is a professor of digital storytelling, and has been a great connection for some of the ABSI Community Catalyst Program participants as they work through hosting Indigenized digital spaces. Why are we recommending this book? In the words of Niigaanwewidam Sinclair, "If you want a primer on Indigenous cultural expressions, this is for you. If you want deft, detailed stories in Indigenous written, oral and graphic traditions, these will expand your thinking. Read, Listen, Tell will make you laugh, dream and search for more." 

  2. Convening the Capacity Builders: Reflections on the Field of Systems Change
    In July of 2018, a group of 24 systems leaders gathered in Wasan Island, Ontario to explore effective strategies for building the field of systems change. Participants in our Community Catalyst program have found this report useful, and thought you would, too. Read up about the pathways to action, and more, that emerged from this gathering; many of them are still very relevant today as we face major systems change.

  3. The Business Resilience Service (BRS): support and guidance from strong partners 
    This free of charge service connects you (a small - medium sized business, non-profit, or charity) with an advisor to help you find the type of government relief program that is right for you, and support your organization with making resilient, mission-driven change. This program is in partnership with Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the Government of Canada, EY, CPA Canada, and Imagine Canada.

  4. The Ultimate Guide to Surviving and Thriving as a Cultural Organization in the 21st Century
    Targeted to  arts and culture organizations, Cuseum has compiled a guide to  find resources, tips for catering to changing consumer needs, guidance for goal setting and insights for leveraging technology tools effectively and more in this ebook. Many of these tips and resources may suit other person-facing organizations.

  5. Training for Change  
    This organization has some great resources for facilitation and online gathering. We especially like this ebook, especially as one of their key principles of leading groups online is to be explicitly aware of how oppression is compounded by technology.

Opportunities

  1. Online Courses with Acumen Academy: The World's School for Social Change
    Expand your knowledge with one of Acumen Academy's online courses. Ranging from human-centred design to social impact analysis to environmental and sustainable design, there's sure to be a course that pique your interest! 

  2. Healthy Futures Accelerator from LEAP | Pecaut Centre for Social Impact
    Do you have a venture with a game-changing health solution poised to grow? If so check out the Healthy Futures accelerator program aimed at enabling game changing social ventures that are improving health outcomes for people in Canada. Applications are open now through June 19, 2020. 

  3. Smaller Than Small Business Forum: June 1

    A lot has changed for business in the last couple months - especially the smallest. The struggle is real - we get that!  Some very small business are feeling left out, and overwhelmed trying to figure out how to cope and recover, if they even can. For micro businesses, solopreneurs, freelancers and others who don't fit the current definition of "small business," we are hosting an online forum June 1 for smaller than small businesses.

  4. Systemic Design Exchange: Online Workshops

    Systemic Design Exchange, a community of practice out of Edmonton exploring all things systemic design has pivoted during COVID, and now has a series of online workshop offerings open to anyone working or 'playing' in the social innovation space. Follow @SDXCoP on Twitter for registration details! Two upcoming offerings include: 

April 2020

Find the full newsletter here: Updates from Albertan Changemakers (April 2020)

Resources

  1. MaRS Living Guide to Social Innovation Labs
    Find a living compilation of social innovation lab theory, templates, and tools to help address complex system problems at MaRS Living Guide to Social Innovation Labs.

  2. Alberta Charities are Relying on Collaboration and Innovation to Meet the Challenges Presented by COVID-19 
    Looking for some inspiration? Read these stories of collaboration and innovation from Alberta charities in a recent Philanthropist article and on Tamarack Institute's blog. 

  3. Report: Impact of COVID-19 on Alberta's Nonprofit and Voluntary Organizations
    Find out what 474 nonprofit sector respondents had to say about the greatest challenges and opportunities nonprofits are facing in our province at this time.

  4. Connecting with Volunteers in COVID-19 Times
    Looking for volunteer opportunities, or exploring how your organization can mobilize volunteers to help you innovate and respond during this time? Learn about micro-volunteering, post or search for volunteer opportunities on Volunteer Connector, and/or check out GenHelp, a tech platform that started by connecting students with seniors who needed some extra assistance during the day and is now being used in other capacities during the COVID-19 outbreak. 

Opportunities

  1. Creativity and Mental Health Supports with Eily Aurora
    Relax at the end of the day on Mondays with the calming sounds of the celtic harp. Hosted by Eily Aurora, one of the participants in ABSI Connect's Community Catalyst Program, this hour starts with a guided centring meditation and closes with an energizing practice. Details and registration info here.

  2. SDX 23: Finding Opportunity in Uncertain Times (May 7 at 12:30 pm)
    Hosted by Edmonton's SDX (Systemic Design Exchange), in this online offering you will have the opportunity to bring a systems lens to your current experiences with the pandemic, exploring the idea that disruption can be a catalyst for change. 

  3. Social R&D: A National Practice Gathering (June 16-17)
    On June 16-17, Social Innovation Canada will host ‘Social R&D: A National Practice Gathering’ to connect the Social Research & Development (R&D) field in the country. At this time of systems disruption and reinvention, strengthening our capacities to better solve problems has never been more needed.

  4. Share a "Big Question" on our Podcast!
    Is there a burning question on your mind as assumptions you had about your work, yourself, or the system(s) around you have been challenged by COVID-19? You might be a great guest for our next season of Pause. We plan to create a series of short episodes about the big questions changemakers are exploring during this period of uncertainty. Hit "reply" to share your question and find out how to participate as a podcast guest.

March 2020

Find the full newsletter here: Updates from Albertan Changemakers (March 2020)

Resources

  1. ABNN's COVID-19 Resources
    To help you keep track of government updates and support for nonprofits, the Alberta Nonprofit Network (ABNN) has updated their website with:
    - Gov Programs & Extensions
    - Social Services Support & Funding
    - Sector Advocacy Efforts
    - Resources for Talking to Funders
    Add your voice! Take this quick survey from ABNN to share the impact of the pandemic and what's needed to support the nonprofit and voluntary sector at this time.
     

  2. When Social Innovation meets COVID-19
    In what can be a disorienting and frightening time, it is encouraging to see glimmers of hope and positive action. Check out this snapshot of actions and opportunities compiled by the Centre for Peace Advancement at the University of Waterloo.
     

  3. Tools, Resources, and Tips for Working from Home
    Over the past two weeks, we've heard quite a few challenges and questions related to working from home. Check out this round-up of tips, resources, and tools from TechSoup Canada. 
     

  4. Video: Connecting Edmonton Seniors
    See this short video profile of a collaborative effort to address feelings of isolation among seniors in Edmonton.

Opportunities

  1. Creativity and Mental Health Supports with Eily Aurora
    Eily Aurora (one of the participants in ABSI Connect's Community Catalyst Program) is offering online creativity & mental health support for changemakers in ABSI Connect's community. Start your Monday mornings with online celtic harp meditations and/or sign up for a group call to anchor your creative vision. Details and registration info here.
     

  2. Online Opportunities from Tamarack Institute
    Looking for learning opportunities during COVID-19? Join one of the many webinar offerings from the Tamarack Institute on topics such as: 
    - Evaluating community development efforts 
    - Strategies for reducing poverty
    - Systems change
    - Working remotely
     

  3. The Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship is online this week
    Meetups, panels, moderated sessions, and more are open to the public this week. Attend from your couch!

February 2020

Find the full newsletter here: Updates from Albertan Changemakers (February 2020)

Opportunities

  1. Canadian Innovation & Entrepreneurship Awards (deadline March 1)
    Submit an application for a CANIE Award by March 1st and inspire others to make an impact by telling your story of resilience and success! 

  2. Positive deviants fellowship
    Are you serious about changing the story related to an issue of critical concern in Canada? Positive Deviants is designed for dedicated changemakers from any sector who want to deepen their capacity for influencing whole systems and whose work holds the potential for significant impact.

  3. Connections Conference
    CCVO's Connections Conference is an annual event that brings together more than 300 professionals, leaders, and changemakers from Alberta’s nonprofit, business, and government sectors for a day of learning and dialogue to help to turn ideas into actions

  4. Social Innovation Extension Certificate
    Sign up now for the next offering of the Social Innovation Extension Certificate through Mount Royal University. See details and register here.

January 2020

Find the full newsletter here: Updates from Albertan Changemakers (January 2020)

Resources

  1. ABSI Connect Resource Library
    Check out the new and improved ABSI Connect Resource Library to learn more about key social innovation concepts and get inspired by examples within and beyond our provincial borders! Are there additional topics, resources, or examples you think should be included? Send us a note!

Opportunities

  1. Are you working to make an impact? The Investment Readiness Program could help get you there.
    The Government of Canada’s Investment Readiness Program (IRP) is designed to put non-repayable capital in the hands of social purpose organizations preparing to seek investment, so they can make even more positive change in community. If you are looking for the resources to research, design, launch or scale up your social enterprise so you are investment-ready, here’s your opportunity. The first round of applications are being accepted until February 10th. Program guidelines can be found here. Go to https://irp-ppi.ca/en/ to begin your application. 

  2. “Social Innovation 101 Learning Series” by Roundhouse and the MacEwan University Social Innovation Institute
    In collaboration with Roundhouse, the MacEwan University Social Innovation Institute recently launched its Social Innovation 101 Learning series. This five-part workshop series began on January 22 with additional sessions throughout the spring.

  3. Innoweave Funding Support - Applications due Feb 3
    Innoweave provides funding to help organizations access coaching for implementing a new approach. It is expected that organizations will have discussed a potential scope of work with their prospective coach before applying.

December 2019

Find the full newsletter here: Updates from Albertan Changemakers (December 2019)

Resources

  1. How to Tease Out the Complex Dynamics of Systems Change (article)
    This article by Christian Seelos in the Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR) explores some of the perspectives and tensions we face when pursuing systems change.

  2. Social R&D Practices and Patterns Report
    An exploration into what strong research and development (R&D) practices look like in social purpose organizations, this report features patterns and case studies from Canadian organizations.

  3. Webinar Recording: Design Thinking for Changemakers
    Here's a recording of our recent webinar, in which Dr. AnneMarie Dorland shared how tools created in design studios around the world can help us “design our thinking” and rewire our approach to creating collaborative and participatory social innovation work.

  4. Webinar Recording: Authentic Engagement with People of Lived / Living Experience
    In this Tamarack Institute webinar, Cheryl Whiskeyjack, from the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society in Edmonton, shared some of the key strategies they use for engagement with Indigenous community members with lived and living experience of poverty.

Opportunities

  1. Social Research & Development Funding (apply by Jan 5)
    Submit an expression of interest to Innoweave by January 5, 2020 for grants to support research & development (R&D) activities in your organization.
    Are you a consultant, leader, or coach working in the field of social innovation? Consider putting your name forward as a potential coach for organizations that receive Social R&D grants. Details here. 

  2. Alberta Forward Forum: Boosting the Rural Advantage (Feb 24-25 in Olds)
    EQUS presents the Alberta Forward Forum, which will bring together over 200 attendees to discuss and debate key issues affecting economic development in rural Alberta, all with the same objective in mind – to boost our rural economy and move rural Alberta forward.

  3. Stanford Social Innovation Review: Frontiers of Social Innovation Conference (May 12 - 14)
    You can register to attend this conference in person at Stanford or remotely via live-stream.

November 2019

Find the full newsletter here: Updates from Albertan Changemakers (November 2019)

Resources

  1. Engaging People with Living / Lived Experience
    Informed by the 10 Lived/Living Experience Advisory Committee, this Tamarack Institute guide offers ideas, stories, resources, and ways to get started for poverty-reduction groups seeking to meaningfully engage people with lived/living experience.

  2. Valuing Tension to Drive Innovation
    In this blog post, Corey Sullivan from Edmonton's Systemic Design Exchange community of practice (SDX) reflects on what he learned from a recent session about valuing tension, which was facilitated by the InWithForward team. Corey includes links and descriptions of some of the helpful resources and tools shared in the session.

  3. Indigenous Services at the Calgary Public Library
    The Calgary Public Library has dedicated a team focused on Indigenous engagement, to ensure Library programs and services are designed around community needs. Take a look at their commitment to reconciliation here and find out how they've integrated Indigenous learning into the library.

  4. Four Calgary Social Enterprises win $25,000 each at the Inaugural What’s Next YYC Awards
    Ten nominees had two minutes each to present and capture the hearts, and votes, of the audience. Here's a recap of what happened at the What's Next YYC event last Thursday. Congratulations to all of the social enterprises recognized at this event.

Opportunities

  1. In the Thick of it Program - Thinking about Systems Leadership (Early Bird Applications due Nov. 30)
    Have you been leading a systems change initiative for at least two years? The Systems Sanctuary offers peer-coaching programs designed to support a growing community of pioneers experimenting with solutions to systemic social and environmental problems. Consider applying to join their next cohort. Details here.

  2. Braiding Stories to Live By: Nurturing the Next Generations of Indigenous Young Women (Dec 4 in Fort McMurray)
    The Vibrant Communities Speaker Series presents a conversation with the Braiding Stories to Live By team. Attend this free evening event to learn about the Indigenous Young Women’s gatherings that have been co-created and piloted in Fort McMurray.

  3. Leaning Into Disruption: Partnerships and Systems Change (Dec. 4 in Calgary)
    Partnership plays a powerful role in addressing communities most pressing problems. This one day workshop will use interactive learning to explore how to address systems-level change, uncertainty, and complexity through partnerships.

  4. Prototype for Empathy with the Systemic Design Exchange (Dec. 6 in Edmonton)
    Gain a deep understanding of the theory and application of empathy as a practice in systems change: Join the Systemic Design Exchange (SDX) to explore the concept of empathy in an interactive way.

  5. Social Summit: From Isolation to Connection (Dec. 9-10 in Sherwood Park)
    Strathcona County Family and Community Services are inviting community practitioners, innovators, and change agents to their conference that holds space to think and learn about loneliness and social isolation: an emerging public health crisis. You'll leave with the tools to take action in your work, community, and life.

  6. Social Innovation Canada is Hiring! (Apply by Dec. 15)
    Social Innovation Canada is looking for a Program Manager and Program Assistant for the Social R&D Ecosystem Mobilization Initiative. This is part of the Federal Government’s Investment Readiness Program (IRP), which aims to improve shared understanding of the most effective approaches to building the social finance ecosystem and to establish or expand initiatives that address ecosystem gaps.

October 2019

Find the full newsletter here: Updates from Albertan Changemakers (October 2019)

Resources

  1. Atlas of Social Innovation
    The Atlas of Social Innovation - Second Volume includes 43 articles by leading experts of the field who share new insights into current trends of social innovation research and practice.

  2. Edmonton Shift Lab Tools
    In this toolkit you'll find key resources from Edmonton Shift Lab's first year, including their field guide, videos from their international speaker series, and frameworks and tools related to systems thinking, prototyping, and behaviour change.

  3. Webinar Recording: Collective Impact through the Lens of Asset-Based Community Development and Results-Based Accountability
    In this Tamarack Institute webinar, Dan Duncan suggests that collective impact requires a “sea change” in the way we think and develop community-led strategies that focus on real change in the lives of communities we serve.

Opportunities

  1. SDX20: Design by Doing 2.0 (Nov. 7 in Edmonton)
    Join the Systemic Design Exchange (SDX) on Nov. 7 to learn from an Edmonton-based example of how a group came together to culturally adapt social innovation processes to reflect a blend of Western and Bhutanese approaches to problem solving.

  2. Social Finance Investment Readiness Exploration Sessions (Nov 12, Nov 13)
    Attend one of these free events to learn about social finance opportunities and explore how your organization can benefit to enhance your impact.
    Nov 12 - Exploration Session in Fort McMurray, co-hosted by Innoweave and FuseSocial.
    Nov 13 - Exploration Session in Calgary, co-hosted by Innoweave and United Way Calgary.

  3. The Problem Solvers Companion: An evening with Shaun Loney (Nov. 13 in Calgary)
    Join Canadian changemaker and Ashoka Fellow Shaun Loney for a free event celebrating the release of The Problem Solver's Companion, a guide to starting social enterprise in Canada (written and published in collaboration with the Institute for Community Prosperity at Mount Royal University).

  4. Soul of the Next Economy Forum (Nov 14 - 15 in Calgary)
    Learn and be part of the conversation on how business, the non-profit sector, government, and educational institutions are coming together to change the way we do business and impact society. Register here.

  5. A Youth Explosion (Nov. 16 in Calgary)
    Join Canada Bridges for their annual youth storytelling event. This event is a chance for youth to show up, stand up, and be heard by sharing their story through a chosen art form. Most of the performers will be Indigenous youth and many will share their wisdom through traditional cultural arts.

  6. Contribute your Social Innovation Resources for Learning & Impact (Deadline: Nov 18)
    The Social Innovation Institute & Social Innovation Canada invite you to contribute your field-tested and applied activities, exercises, games, tools, methods and/or learning opportunities to an open-source curriculum project. Please fill out this survey by Nov. 18 to contribute best practices, receive project updates in the future, or explore ways to collaborate.

  7. Social EnterPrize Awards 2019 (Nov. 21 in Calgary)
    Register to attend the Social EnterPrize Awards evening in Calgary on November 21 to celebrate the best, most innovative and impactful Canadian social entrepreneurs using business models to solve social problems. Together you will recognize the 2019 recipient of the $100,000 Social EnterPrize award. The 10 finalists for What’s Next YYC will participate in a live pitch fest vying for $25,000 for the most popular audience choice.

  8. Social Calgary 2019 (Nov. 26-29 in Calgary)
    Are you an entrepreneur, marketer, creative, or beyond looking to enhance your social and digital marketing skills? Join Social School for their Social Calgary 2019 four day conference in November to learn how to enhance your online presence. (*Edmonton conference in May 2020).

September 2019

Find the full newsletter here: Updates from Albertan Changemakers (September 2019)

Resources

  1. Disrupting Good: A Podcast
    A podcast focused on how doing good will change in response to the unprecedented disruptive technologies, cultural movements, and crises that face humanity. Listen to episode one!

  2. Social Enterprise Funding
    Are you a social enterprise looking for some more funds? Take a look at Thrive's social enterprise funding database to see if one is right for you.

  3. Resources to help you create deep and lasting change
    Find a comprehensive list of resources for creating change, whether you're new to the space or already working in the space, courtesy of Ashoka Changemakers.

Opportunities

  1. Are you using, or looking to use, a collective impact approach to your work?
    Learn how to level-up your community development efforts with this webinar (October 10th).

  2. Attend the Centre for Healthy Communities' Innovation Forum
    A forum discussing health and social impact, accessible and safe environments, innovation and evaluation, and sustainability. Register by October 27, event on November 4th in Edmonton.

  3. Soul of the Next Economy Forum
    Learn and be apart of the conversation on how business, the non-profit sector, government, and educational institutions are coming together to change the way we do business and impact society. Register here.

  4. Economics of Social Change Workshops Series in Edmonton
    Explore connections between the economy, community development, and social change in this five part workshop series in Edmonton. Find more information and register here.

  5. What's Next YYC
    If you're a Calgary and area based social enterprise apply for the What's Next YYC awards where they award four $25,000 prizes. Find more information and eligibility criteria on their website.

  6. Social and Digital Marketing Skills
    Are you an entrepreneur, marketer, creative, or beyond looking to enhance your social and digital marketing skills? Join Social School for their Social Calgary 2019 4 day conference to learn how to enhance your online presence.

August 2019

Find the full newsletter here: Updates from Albertan Changemakers (August 2019)

Resources

  1. Driving Social Change at Scale with (and from within) Government
    See examples of how government is working with, and learning from, the private sector as it tackles complex systemic challenges in this recent article from +Acumen(featuring the Alberta Health Services Design Lab!).

  2. Reparations and Reconciliation: Embracing Indigenous Social Innovation and Changing the Rules of Philanthropy
    Melanie Goodchild shares her perspectives on the role philanthropy could play in reconciliation in this article for the Philanthropist's social innovation series.

  3. What Would Love Do?
    In the latest episode of Maybe, Cheryl Rose and her podcast guests explore the connection between love and social innovation, and what it could mean for an increasingly tense and divided world.

  4. Social R&D Practices
    Curious about how you might bring research and development (R&D) practices more intentionally into your changemaking work? Check out the Social R&D Practices and Patterns on the new website for the Social R&D Community.

Opportunities

  1. Connecting Hard-to-Reach Communities:
    Register to join Tamarack's 1-day workshop, where you'll learn innovative principles and practices for truly hearing all voices in the practice of community change (October 7 in Edmonton).

  2. Are you part of a network or collaborative initiative that is tackling a complex community challenge?
    Apply to join Eval Lab and learn how to bring more strategic learning into your daily work (September 13 deadline).

  3. Living with Tension:
    Register to join the Systemic Design Exchange (SDX) community of practice, the City of Edmonton's Recover team, and InWithForward for a frank exploration of what it really means to build partnerships that can tolerate high uncertainty & ambiguity (Sept 4 in Edmonton).

  4. The Future of Urban Work summit is looking for delegates.
    Apply to be a delegate at the Future of Urban Work summit in Edmonton this October. You'll have the opportunity to connect with 60 young leaders across Canada through an immersive social innovation process.

  5. Are you working on an innovative approach that helps solve an SDG goal?
    Apply for funding through the Sustainable Development Goals Funding Program. Funding is available to support innovative approaches that will support the Government of Canada's 2030 Sustainable Development Goal agenda (Sept 19 deadline).

We acknowledge that in Alberta we are on traditional territories of the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit whose footsteps have marked these lands for centuries.