Enterprising Non-Profits developing resources to advance social enterprise

Building national database and best practices, tools for sector

Friday November 27, 2009 -- Camille Jensen, Axiom News.

Ask an Expert and building a national database of social enterprises are two ways Enterprising Non-Profits (ENP) is promoting the development and growth of the social enterprise sector, says David LePage.

LePage, Enterprising Non-Profits program manager, says it's part of the organization's mandate to provide tools for social enterprises across Canada.

Towards this effort, the organization that funds social enterprises is keeping its website "robust," offering tools such as Ask an Expert, which allows people to send in human resource, business and legal questions.

LePage says they've created partnerships with stakeholders to develop expertise in varied areas of business development and the service will help business owners receive the answers they need.

"You can ask a legal question and then lawyers debate it and then (send) an answer," explains LePage, who is also a member of the Social Enterprise Council (SEC).

The organization is also publishing the Social Enterprise Guide - an in-depth booklet that details the development path with chapters on how to assess organizational readiness, conducting feasibility studies, business planning and performance measurements.

LePage says they are aiming to offer a new edition of the guide - currently only available in hard copy - free online, along with supportive tools, by June 2010.

A work in progress is the organization's database of social enterprises.

LePage says they are building a marketplace for social enterprise, providing a forum to search for organizations by sector, province, city or keyword.

He says they are encouraging more social enterprises to start using the database, which can be a powerful tool for consumers, funders and policy makers alike.

In addition, ENP is promoting growth and development by offering a podcast series discussing topics on financing and how to demonstrate value for social enterprises. A purchasing tool kit to help others learn how to buy from non-profit organizations has been created and is available on ENP's website.

Anne Jamieson, program manager of the Toronto Enterprise Fund and a member of SEC, underscores the importance of offering training and resources for the social enterprise sector, which consists of small and diverse business owners who are often isolated.

"I think it's really critical for them to have this opportunity and it's really important for us to enable that," she said.

"It's part of our community impact strategy to help build capacity in the sector."

Source: Axiom News. If you have feedback on this article please contact the newsroom at 800-294-0051, ext. 24, or e-mail camille(at)axiomnews.ca.