“To give away money is an easy matter in any man’s power. But to decide to whom to give it, and how large and when, and for what purpose and how, is neither in every man’s power nor an easy matter.” Aristotle
As well as promoting a new approach to public and corporate participation in social development, SASIX aims to build a culture of accountability for social performance amongst beneficiary organisations.
GreaterCapital, as part of the GreaterGood group, created South Africa’s first social investment ’stock exchange’ where carefully selected projects are listed and offered to the public as investment opportunities with a social return.
The South African Social Investment Exchange (SASIX) provides independent research, evaluation and monitoring to ensure that listed projects meet a set of criteria, including the ability to deliver measurable returns. These returns are social rather than financial but they are nonetheless vital for development in South Africa.
A prospectus is printed quarterly and detailed Project Proposal Profile documents are available on this website, outlining each investment opportunity. They include a risk analysis, the minimum investment required and metrics portraying the qualitative and quantitative life change that is expected as a result of the project.
4:10 Introduction – Tim Draimin, Executive Director, Social Innovation Generation, Chair, Causeway Social Finance Breakthrough Social Entrepreneurs Look to the Future Join these Canadian leaders as they explain what contributed to their success and what we can expect on the horizon for social entrepreneurship in Canada. Speakers:
Mary Gordon , Roots of Empathy
Peter Nares, SEDI
Al Etmanski, PLAN
Future of Social Entrepreneurship
Highlighting Ashoka since everyone on this panel are Ashoka Fellows:
Ashoka is the global association of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs—men and women with system changing solutions for the world’s most urgent social problems. Since 1981, we have elected over 2,000 leading social entrepreneurs as Ashoka Fellows, providing them with living stipends, professional support, and access to a global network of peers in more than 60 countries.
With our global community, we develop models for collaboration and design infrastructure needed to advance the field of social entrepreneurship and the citizen sector.
Our Fellows inspire others to adopt and spread their innovations – demonstrating to all citizens that they too have the potential to be powerful changemakers.
Social and Enterprise Development Innovations (SEDI) is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping low-income Canadians achieve economic self-sufficiency. Our initiatives focus on three areas: financial literacy, asset-building and entrepreneurship.
For over 20 years, SEDI has worked with more than 800 nonprofit and government agencies across Canada. Through our strong networks, expertise and credibility, we are able to narrow the gap between communities and policy-makers, influencing social policies that affect low-income Canadians.
Notes on Peter’s talk: Real challenge for community organizations to focus on the whole systems approach, especially when they are trying to make ends meet Challenge is in working with government, private and public sector all at the same time, working horizontally instead of vertical (government is structured vertically) Social entrepreneurship is a connecting process and is needed now more than ever – vital to progress – social entrepreneurs are ahead of the curve and are able to identify opportunities amidst chaos – opportunities that are able to produce social change Cultivate social entrepreneurs, just like we do with artists. investments will be required – not just in terms of financial investments, but also building capacity that can yield both social (human capital) and economic results Imagination is needed
“We are told never to cross a bridge till we come to it, but this world is owned by men and women who have crossed bridges in their imagination far ahead of the crowd.” – Library, Speakers
Roots of Empathy is an award winning, evidence-based classroom program that has shown dramatic effect in reducing levels of aggression among schoolchildren by raising social/emotional competence and increasing empathy. The program reaches elementary schoolchildren from Kindergarten to Grade 8. In Canada, the program is delivered in English and French and reaches rural, urban, and remote communities including Aboriginal communities. Roots of Empathy is also delivered in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
Notes on Mary’s talk: Evidence when you do engage families, you do help the children. Roots of Empathy is bringing the community to the school, which is a mandate of education.
I have written about Al Etmanski and the PLAN Institute before, click here to readNotes on Al’s talk:Registered Disabilities Savings Plan (RDSP) Vote for the RDSP on Changemakers.net in the Banking for Social Change competition The RDSP will be available on Dec 1, 2009
Impact: 500,000 individuals and families immediately
$200,000 lifetime contribution limit
Matching Disability Savings Grant
Market potential $80 billion
Disability Benefits implications:
- raise asset limit – eliminate claw back – transform welfare system Al’s recommended approach to pursuing a solution to a tough problem:
“Describe your solution in the fullest possible terms, and then double it.”
3:30 Introduction – Allyson Hewitt, Director, SiG@MaRS Building the capacity for effectiveness. Last year we heard the need to build the “technical” skills required for social entrepreneurs and the need for social metrics. This year, we asked these international leaders to address these challenges. Speakers:
Nick Temple, Director of Policy and Communications, School for Social Entrepreneurs, UK
Nigel Biggar, Director, Social Performance Management Center, Grameen Foundation
What does SSE do and how? An entrepreneurial individual joins the program with 15 to 20 other people, for a year long study in social entrepreneurship.
This entrepreneurial individual:
- is driven, committed, prone to action, persitient, engaged with their community, personally motivated, practical, resourceful
- has an idea for social change
- and wants to make it happen
Throughout the year long program, these individuals are exposed to:
- Expert Witnesses – social entrepreneurs who have been there and done that… and got the t-shirt, and in some cases, did not get the t-shirt
- No defined curriculum of content, since each of these people will take away a different lesson from each of the expert witness stories
- Project visits as well as peer to peer learning
- One to one tutoring and business advice, mentoring
… and this all leads up to a powerful experience for all individuals involved with the program.
Social entrepreneurs can work in:
Social enterprise
Voluntary and community sector
Private business
Public sector.
Third sector: social enterprise and voluntary & community sector. The UK now has an Office of the Third Sector
Rooting it in the personal and particular for sustainable, real, radical and long lasting change
Hardwiring diversity in leadership
Combining resourcefulness, opportunity and innovation in practical action
Developing business and life skills through practical learning
Outcomes, not process
Bottom line: People
Revenue generation and sustainability model for SSE: Package the SSE and sell it in different ways to different people by region, by outcomes, etc. Three years ago, revenue from trusted foundations comprised of 85% of their revenue stream… now, it has been reduced to 15% – mixed revenue streams from government, trusted foundations, philanthropy money, corporate money, sell it in different ways to different people by regional, by outcomes. Mixed funding streams has made the SSE more resilient.
Nigel Biggar, Director, Social Performance Management Center, Grameen Foundation
Microfinance is a proven poverty-alleviation tool. An MFI (microfinance institution) is an organization that provides low-interest loans to entrepreneurs (mainly in developing countries) that normally would not be able to access loansGrameen Foundation
Based in Washington DC and Seattle, Washington. 56 partners in 25 countries.
Services offered: social performance, tech, finance, human capital
Mission is to enable the poor, especially the poorest, to create a world without poverty.Social Performance Management? We MUST manage our social performance, where social performance management is the effective translation of social goals into practice
Endgame: MFIs more effective at poverty alleviation
Understand poverty levels of MFI clients
Understand poverty changes over time (are people gettig out of poverty?)
1:40 Introduction – Stephen Huddart, Vice-President, J.W. McConnell Family Foundation There is no one path to social entrepreneurship; anyone can be a “change maker” no matter his or her vocation. These speakers have all taken a different route to achieve innovative social purpose work. Speakers:
Amazing story of a successful social enterprise transforming lives in northern Winnipeg.
Mission To provide quality employment for inner city low income residents and quality services to inner city non-profit community organizations. Inner City Development Inc.’s goal is to be a self-sustaining employee-owned group of companies. We intend to create steady employment and practical training for inner city residents. Our employees are what make ICD different, and they are committed to making a difference to Winnipeg’s Inner City.
Marty:
“Multiple bottom lines make our business community more stable, especially in these times of economic crises”
Business-model: Business with a mission – advance the corporate agenda around social and environmental responsibility in Canada Consumer, investor and employer market trends are shifting -> lots of opportunities for business to step up and embrace these market trends Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) topic overall – fantastic time from an economic and historical perspective, lots of potential for this topic to catapult Canada and all of its organizations to become a world-wide leader in this field.
…. Design innovation (sustainable and healthy thinking) is a great tool for helping meet our own needs in the developed world and that of developing countries
Enhancing Life Through Cooler InnovationCooler Solutions is an innovation and product design company that works with companies who want to enhance the experience of their product offerings. Driven by designA passion for design and innovation is Cooler’s foundation. We use design thinking – that is creative, right-brain thinking applied to real life practical situations – to open up new market opportunities and to develop innovations that inspire the consumer. Our designs connect with your customer, increase profitability, and build brands
Q&A
(N.B. Question and answers are paraphrased)
Question to Marty: What is the role of government in enabling and supporting the work you do?
A: Government support for education and training, this is available to other similar organizations as well
Barb: CSR budgets first thing to be cut in these economic times? A: We’re not sure – CBSR is calling for growth for 2009 – market place shift (NOT a trend) is already taking place. The focus should really be around sound business management – firms that are operating in this way are taking a longer term view and a wider view of risk, these are the firms that will do a lot better.
Jonathan: How do you ensure that the design has impact and does not just look good?
A: Try to develop products that are going to connect with end customer, lots of time refining and testing so that they do connect and subsequently have impact. Have to stand up in terms of sustainable approach – find a way to make it economically viable focus. This is a challenge, especially since they are a products manufacturer that focuses on carbon footprint
Marty: Growing number of decaying cities across North America, is there potential for replicating this business model? A: The model that ICR uses is that of a formed partnership between a social enterprise and non-profit housing organizations – there is a real need for social housing in all inner cities. To that extent, yes, this model can be replicated.
Follow up question: Question regarding the employee-owned business model A: This stems from Marty’s background in business – employee-owned is better in this case instead of just managers owning the business
Barb: How do you ensure a company’s commitment to environment and social responsibility goals? A: This is a question of setting metrics. To be a part of CBSR, company has to submit an application to our board – provide a brief description of the work they can do. Within their own business operation – what business are they in? What is their strategy for incorporating CSR? If the application gets approved, they sign a pledge that they are committing to these CSR milestones (however no follow-up is made with the corporate organization to ensure that CSR milestones are met, but there is a reporting structure in place, with over half of the corporate organizations reporting)
12:45 Introduction – Tonya Surman Executive Director, Centre for Social Innovation Social Finance may be a new concept for some but CAIC, the Canadian Alternative Investment Corporation, has been using social finance to support innovative social ventures for 25 years. Together we’ll celebrate their anniversary.
CAIC invests in groups working for positive social change and community economic development in Canada that lack access to traditional financing CAIC is particularly interested in investments that promote alternative economic structures which act as catalysts to structural change
Providing financing to profits, charities, social enterprises and cooperatives in the past 25 years Some highlights:
$15 million – more than 100 borrowers
Enviable track record of repayment (less than 1.5% default rate)
CAIC is mandated by its members to make mortgages available to non-profits or charitable organizations working to provide social services in their communities (i.e. youth group homes, non-profit, homeless shelters).
2. Social & Affordable Housing Initiatives
CAIC is mandated by its members to make loans available to groups working to provide social and affordable housing in Canada… We define socially beneficial housing as: any low cost rental housing; housing that remains perpetually affordable; housing that is appropriate to those being housed; and resident & community controlled housing.
3. Social Enterprise Funding
CAIC provides loans & equity investments to groups, organizations & cooperatives assisting the economic development of disadvantaged people or communities.
The Centre for Social Innovation is a social enterprise with a mission to catalyze social innovation in its home base of Toronto and around the globe. We believe that society is facing unprecedented economic, environmental, social and cultural challenges. We also believe that new innovations are the key to turning these challenges into opportunities to improve our communities and our planet.
Notes on Tonya’s talk: Basic business model – that of a landlord leasing to tenants, currently at 120 social innovation groups Campaigning for change-agents – providing a place for social innovators in the Toronto area
Theory of Change:
Why creating shared spaces with social innovators creates social innovation…
Need to create the space in order to animate the community, create the conditions for social innovation emergence
Version of Maslow’s pyramid with:
Innovation Community Space
Supported by the values of:
Entrepreneurship Collaboration Systems change
How do we understand the trends? How do we bring more intentionality to the social innovation process?
How does that connective tissue play a role in in creating and facilitating an environment for more creative ideas to happen?
What does social innovation look like? 1. Rise of hybrid organizations
Mix between non-profit and for-profit
2. Shifting corporate demand or market transformation
Elephant Thoughts Global Development Initiatives is a registered Canadian charity, founded in 2002 by a group of teachers, principals and other professional educators. Our mandate is to help promote high standards of education worldwide despite economic or geographic barriers while supporting initiatives which propagate cultural understanding and sharing among school aged children.
I am a 20-something young person keenly interested in learning how transformative social change happens, and passionate about building resilient communities. I also have a strong background in student and youth engagement, and I am convinced that young people have the power and opportunities like never before to affect positive change in the world.
