Community Foundation Grey Bruce in partnership with Georgian College and their Social Enterprise Network of Central Ontario (SENCO) is offering eligible organizations working to do good across Central Ontario the opportunity to access up to $100,000 in non-repayable capital through the Investment Readiness Program (IRP). This is part of a national initiative led by Community Foundations of Canada and funded by the Government of Canada that will provide $18.5 million across the country to seed and grow social enterprise.

Through this partnership, funding will be allocated in the form of non-repayable capital to charities, non-profits, co-operatives, social enterprises, and mission-focused for-profits across Central Ontario including the counties of Grey and Bruce, as well as Muskoka, Huntsville, Orillia-Huronia, Simcoe County, Barrie, Dufferin County, Owen Sound, Collingwood, Kincardine, Manitoulin Island, Tobermory, Orangeville, Saugeen First Nation and Neyaashiinigmiing. The first application period for the program runs from Jan. 8 to Feb. 10, 2020, with two other application periods planned later this year.

“Georgian is proud and determined to advance the social and economic development of our local communities,” said Elly Green, Manager of SENCO. “This program will support and connect individuals and organizations to essential capital to pursue changemaking initiatives and enhance social enterprise activity in our region.”

The IRP is open to a diverse range of organizations and businesses including charities, non-profits, co-ops and for-profit social enterprises who are helping achieve positive social, cultural or environmental results in the community. The program can provide between $10,000 and $100,000 in non-repayable capital to design, plan, measure, and scale social enterprises in order to get ready to accept future investment.

“We have a great number of innovative and creative social enterprise agencies, both non-profit and for-profit, that will make use of this opportunity,” says Stuart Reid, Executive Director of Community Foundation Grey Bruce. Reid says, “We are looking forward to seeing the IRP help successful applicants grow their impact even more.”

The Investment Readiness Program will help social enterprises across Canada grow, and build their capacity to accept investment, and participate in Canada’s growing social finance market.

“Business isn’t just about the bottom line. It can be a source for good and a catalyst for social and environmental change in communities across Canada. We are honoured to support social enterprises across Canada in building a better world,” says Andrew Chunilall, CEO of Community Foundations of Canada, a national partner in the Investment Readiness Program.

Applications for the first intake should be submitted by Feb. 10th, 2020, through the program’s website, found at irp-ppi.ca. To learn more about the program in person or by webinar, please attend the Investment Readiness Program 101 Session on Tuesday, Jan. 28th, from 3 to 4 pm at the Grey County Administration Building or through Zoom hosted by Elly Green and Stuart Reid. There will also be a Social Enterprise 101 Session, facilitated by SENCO, from 4 to 5 pm.

For more information and to register, visit www.communityfoundationgreybruce.com.

source: Community Founation Grey Bruce