Policy priority: Support for social enterprise activities
Policy priority: Support for social enterprise activities
Many charities and nonprofits engage in business activities in support of their missions, also known as social enterprise activity. However, they face barriers in pursuing these activities that for-profits do not.
Why it matters
Charities and nonprofits have a long history of conducting social enterprise activity to diversify revenue streams, generate local and inclusive economic value, and pursue social and environmental missions in creative ways. These activities take many forms: youth charities that run day camps, nonprofit cafés employing people with barriers to employment, and nonprofit landlords renting out their space to other organizations. Unfortunately, the federal policy environment constrains the ability of these organizations to be as successful as they could be.
Did you know?
-
Social enterprise activity is very common: Approximately 58% to 77% of charities already engage in activities that generate earned income.
-
Charities and nonprofits are often arbitrarily excluded from federal programs designed to support private sector businesses. While legislation does not exclude nonprofit organizations from its loan programs, the Business Development Bank of Canada does not adapt its services to be accessible to nonprofit or charitable social enterprises.
-
The federal government is beginning to explore the inclusion of nonprofit social enterprises in its procurement policies (these dictate how the government can purchase goods and services or contract with enterprises on infrastructure projects).
-
Rules constrain charities and nonprofits from generating surpluses, which could be used for investments in digital technologies, equipment, and collateral for loans.
Our Ask
-
We recommend that the federal government implement the remaining recommendations of the Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy Co-Creation Steering Group’s report ‘Inclusive Innovation: New Ideas and New Partnerships for Stronger Communities.’
Learn More
Imagine Canada, 2023
Imagine Canada, 2023
Imagine Canada, 2023
Imagine Canada, 2023
People-Centered Economy Group
Imagine Canada, 2020
Imagine Canada, 2020
McConnell Foundation, 2020
Imagine Canada, 2020
Imagine Canada, 2020
Imagine Canada, 2019
Imagine Canada, 2019
Special Senate Committee on the Charitable Sector, 2019
Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy Co-Creation Steering Group, 2018
Imagine Canada, 2013
Stay in the know with our policy & advocacy newsletter
What happens in Ottawa impacts your organization, but it can be hard to keep up with it all. The free Early Alert newsletter makes it simple by delivering clear, timely updates on federal political news, tailored for nonprofit professionals.