Government is supporting B.C. social enterprises that make a positive impact as they pursue social, cultural and environmental goals in communities throughout the province.

The Province has proclaimed May 2016 as Social Enterprise Month to help raise awareness of the diversity of social enterprises in B.C. and the contributions these business ventures make to communities and B.C.’s economy. The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation is supporting a number of events during the month to showcase and promote the growth of the social enterprise sector in B.C.

Social enterprises use business strategies to create a social or environmental impact. They range from thrift stores to businesses that provide skills training, affordable housing and jobs for people with disabilities. They can also be a for-profit business that focuses on social objectives. Like any other business, a social enterprise aims to create revenue. What sets a social enterprise apart is that its revenue is directed to a social or environmental goal.

Social Enterprise Month is part of the B.C. government’s work to promote social innovation in B.C. and is supported by the BC Partners for Social Impact (BCPSI), a group that includes more than 100 partners from government, business, non-profit organizations and academic and financial institutions.

This is the third Social Enterprise Month in British Columbia. Throughout May the hashtag #Impact4BC will connect people in a conversation about social enterprise and social innovation in the province. Visit HubcapBC.ca, B.C.’s online social innovation hub, to find Social Enterprise Month events and learn more about social innovation in B.C.

Quotes:

Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation –

“Social enterprises are focused on addressing social and environmental challenges here in our province and around the world. It’s exciting to see new ideas and approaches that combine business acumen with social goals. Innovative social entrepreneurs and community leaders are using social enterprises to invest in their communities and this May, we’re celebrating their contribution and the impact of social enterprises in British Columbia.”

David LePage, Buy Social Canada –

“Celebrate Social Enterprise Month by adding social value to your purchases and supporting social enterprises. By purchasing goods or services from social enterprises, British Columbians can strengthen their communities and make real progress towards social and environmental goals.”

Quick Facts:

• The Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation launched social impact purchasing guidelines in spring 2015 to promote purchasing from social enterprises and other organizations that have a social impact.
• The Province has also created Canada’s first hybrid corporate model – the Community Contribution Company – to help social purpose businesses market themselves to both customers and investors. To date, 41 organizations have registered as C3s.
• The B.C. government co-chairs the BC Partners for Social Impact, created in 2012 to implement the council’s recommendations and support social innovation in B.C. The Partners for Social Impact now includes more than 100 multi-sector partners, such as: Vancity, Simon Fraser University, Telus and the Business Development Bank of Canada.
• Partner resources like HubcapBc.ca provide resources and opportunities for social innovators, entrepreneurs, educators, funders and public policy makers to connect with each other.

Learn More:

To learn more about B.C.’s social innovation and social enterprise sector or to find events and activities around B.C., visit: http://www.hubcapbc.ca/

Get information on the BC Partners for Social Impact: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/social-innovation

Find out how to start a social enterprise: www.socialenterprisecanada.ca

Join the conversation by following @HubcapBC on Twitter and use #Impact4BC.