A pilot project in the East Kootenays capturerd the attention of local non-profit organizations who are interested in building social enterprises into their operations, helping them raise more funds to support their social impact objectives.  

The Innovate for Impact pilot was launched by Community Futures East Kootenay (CFEK) in 2024, in partnership with Purppl and Impact Toolbox.

“The pilot was really about growing the entrepreneurial mindset within non-profit organizations,” explains Robyn Peel, Community Economic Development Manager for CFEK, “and raising the awareness of how a social enterprise model can support the impact of non-profit organizations.”  

Non-profits mainly rely on grants, donations and philanthropic support for causes in such areas as healthcare, the environment, and arts and culture.

Social enterprises use business strategies to sell products and services to earn revenue while also achieving social, cultural or environmental objectives. They are an innovative way for non-profits to create sustainable funding and meet a business need while pursuing their social impact activities.

The CFEK pilot project was supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC). “It can be a struggle for social entrepreneurs in rural BC to find affordable support for business planning, mentorship and training,” says Laurel Douglas, CEO of ETSI-BC. “Community Futures is helping to address that gap by providing tools and resources that help rural non-profits grow while providing important benefits to their communities.

The 10-month program began with a series of online roundtables where local non-profits share their ideas, challenges and needs. They learned they are not alone in their challenges, and gained insight from experienced entrepreneurs about how becoming a social enterprise might work for them.

Business Plan Versus Project Plan

In the second part of the program, participants that are committed to starting a social enterprise received free access to a four-month incubation program, delivered through a partnership between CFEK and Impact Toolbox. Participants are coached in creating a business plan for their social enterprise idea, bringing a whole new approach to community economic development.

“There were lots of light bulb moments as these non-profit leaders revisited their thinking process,” says Peel.  “They learned the difference between having a business plan and a project plan which traditionally guides non-profits in achieving their goals.”

New Social Enterprises Developed

Of the six non-profits selected to participate in the business plan segment,  four new social enterprises were created and are in various stages of development.

• 9:30 IT, created by Kootenay Computer in Cranbrook, provides digital literacy programs in the community.
• KORE, the Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise, created the KORE rehub to extend the life of outdoor gear and keep it out of the landfill by repairing and repurposing equipment.
• Wildsight Elk Valley created Evergreens Farm which donates proceeds of lettuce sales to support low-income community members.
• Community Connections Society in Cranbrook did a plan for the new Food Innovation Centre, a social enterprise dedicated to improving food access and resilience in the East Kootenay region. “The program really helped us get out of the non-profit mindset and feel confident in our ideas, our impact on the community, and our ability to run the Centre,” says Manager Sophie Larsen.

The four non-profits estimate they collectively reached $1.4 million in sales revenue since their social enterprises were launched, with up to $2 million in additional revenue expected within a year.  

As CFEK takes the lead in providing social enterprise training, more intakes are being planned with the goal of expanding the pilot throughout the Kootenay region.