New Buy Social Canada research busts myths about social enterprises and shows they are profitable while offering solutions for economic, social and environmental challenges. A survey of 132 social enterprises paints a robust picture of the sector to showcase successes, challenges and opportunities. Case studies such as Hiregood’s employment of people living with homelessness through contracts with the City of Edmonton and Purpose Construction’s commitment to Indigenous employment and affordable housing, show what can be possible if we support and grow the social enterprise movement in Canada.

Read the full Sell with Impact report for additional data and stories of social enterprise success and innovation.

Or, read and share our media release to get the highlights. The research has also been shared by media - see Future of Good's article here, and the Pioneers Post article here.

The recently announced Social Finance Fund (SFF) is intended to meet a critical gap in access to finance for social purpose organizations.

This is a much needed, major public policy and program breakthrough. That said, we echo others in the sector, who are concerned with the initial design and rollout.

Read our blog post to learn about our concerns, proposed solutions, and how to take action to make federal funding more accessible to social enterprises and other social value suppliers.

On September 19, 2023 we shared research, stories, and progress of social enterprise across the country at Marketplace Impact: Social Enterprise Research and Stories with over 300 registrants. It was an energizing and affirming event sharing research updates and discussions on social enterprise capacity building and building and preserving culture.

Read our full event recap on the blog to learn more, and see key insights from speakers, or watch the session recordings to relive it all.

Register now to save your spot in the November 2023 cohort of the Social Procurement Professional Certificate course and take a deep dive on social procurement design, implementation and culture change.

Here's what one past participant had to say:

"I loved the course, worksheets and exercises. I started the course a bit nervous at what complexity this might bring, despite being in procurement for my entire career, but I found the approach was comprehensive with great examples both from participants and instructors. I have recommended that our National Buyer attend the course." - Mary, GreenShield Canada

November 1, 8, 15 and 22, 2023 from 10am – 12pm PT / 1 – 3pm ET

(Application deadline: October 18)

Register now to save your spot.

Join BCSPI at upcoming webinars for social procurement insights and learnings:

Scott Hainsworth, Manager of Purchasing for City of Courtenay, joins BCSPI to share how the City developed a new Indigenous Procurement policy in collaboration with K'ómoks First Nation in order to advance economic reconciliation and support Indigenous businesses and people in their community.

In addition to the case study from Courtenay, this webinar will introduce a new BCSPI Member Resource which outlines best practices and top tips for starting to design and implement Indigenous Procurement in public organizations.

Register now.

Trish Kelly (Managing Director, Untapped Accessibility) and Keely Kidner (Equity and Inclusion Coordinator, District of Squamish) will share an overview of what accessibility means, what local governments need to know about the Accessible BC Act, and how to incorporate the requirements of the Act in procurement programs and processes. The District of Squamish, a BCSPI Member, has been proactive in implementing the Act's requirements, and can share additional learnings and best practices.

Register now.

We're thrilled to welcome Danielle to the Buy Social Canada team as Operations Lead!

Danielle Gibney is the former Office Manager of a successful social enterprise in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Through working in a social enterprise for over 5 years, Danielle brings a hands-on perspective to the team.

As Operations Lead, Danielle will be supporting the team and operations at Buy Social Canada.

When not working, Danielle enjoys hiking, snowboarding and attending concerts.

The Sustainable Finance Forum 2023 is a unique gathering of elected officials, policy makers, industry and community leaders in the growing field of sustainable and social finance, hosted by MP Ryan Turnbull, and CCEDNet. This year, they expect to welcome 400 participants to two full days of engaging keynote speakers and working sessions.

Learn more and register now.

In 2022-23, Buy Social Canada partnered with university researchers to identify best practices for project management in social enterprises. The study was funded by the Project Management Institute and led by Dr. Jennifer Jewer from Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Faculty of Business.

Now, we're sharing findings from the research, which drew on a survey of Canadian social enterprises.

View the full infographic for all the new findings, and stay tuned for a webinar sharing more information on the project later this Fall.

Join Buy Social Canada at SEWF23 (Social Enterprise World Forum 2023) on October 11-12 to access world-class content, connect with thousands of other purpose-driven people and be part of the world’s largest social enterprise conversation.

Join the event online or in person in Amsterdam.

Register now to join the conversation and hear from social enterprises around the world.

Certified Social Enterprise Binners' Project is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Coffee Cup Revolution.

Community Binners can come to their pop-up depot and receive a 10 cent refund per used coffee cup. In addition to the depot, Binners’ Project invites community partners and organizations to join them as they reflect on the past 10 years.

Join Buy Social Canada, Exchange Inner City, BC Social Enterprise Network and SFU Community Economic Development for The Power of Social Enterprises, a unique two-part event including a walking tour and mini-forum.

Early registrants have the opportunity for a walking tour through several social enterprises in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside alongside community ambassadors who can share the power of the social enterprise ecosystem.

Afterwards, a larger group will gather for an action-packed Social Enterprise Forum.

Hear from a variety of social enterprise operators, network with others, and gain wisdom from the dynamic Anne Jamieson, former lead of Toronto Enterprise Fund, speaking on Sustainability is not Self-Sufficiency: The Social Costs of Social Enterprises.

Register now.

Do you have a social enterprise that needs investment? Are you an investor wanting to create impact? Are you eager to learn about what is happening in the impact sector?

Now in its third year, Connect Money Impact is a gathering of impact-focused entrepreneurs, organizations, investors and ecosystem builders. This year, Certified Social Enterprise Purppl is convening the event in Kelowna, in partnership with the event founder Scale Collaborative and Future of Good.

Register now.

Certified Social Enterprises, don't forget you're entitled to two hours of complimentary consulting each year! Send any requests for support or consulting to Niamh O'Sullivan, Manager of Social Enterprise and Community Benefits, and she'll pair you with the right person from our team to work with.

Here's what one social enterprise said recently:

"We sincerely appreciate your time and assistance in analyzing the scope and depth of the RFP. Your expertise is immensely valuable, and we want you to know how much we appreciate your contributions."

Not yet certified? Explore Social Enterprise Certification to see if it's the right fit for your business.