The Abbotsford Community Foundation (ACF) has announced that its 2012 granting program will focus on providing local charities with funding to explore social enterprise opportunities or enhance existing ones.
The program helps charities be more financially sustainable by operating businesses.
“Social enterprise is any organization or business that uses the sale of goods and/or services to pursue a public benefit mission. A traditional example is a thrift store or a hospital cafeteria, but today charities are entertaining new types of businesses,” said ACF executive director Susan McAlevy.
Local examples include the Salvation Army’s Cascade Culinary Arts School (which offers catering services), and the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
The foundation’s granting program is only open to registered charities providing services in Abbotsford, and operating or planning to operate a “social enterprise.”
The grants program includes two grant streams. The first, a partnership with Enterprising Non Profits, will offer up to $10,000 to Abbotsford charities exploring social enterprise. These grants will cover up to half of the costs of concept exploration, market research, a feasibility study, or a business plan. The application deadline is May 24, and requires participation in a social enterprise workshop, to be held on March 20 at UFV’s Abbotsford campus.
The second grant stream is geared towards charities seeking to enhance or expand an existing social enterprise in Abbotsford. This grant of up to $4,500 will cover up to 60 per cent of costs for equipment, marketing campaigns, or strategic expansion. The application deadline for this ‘operations’ grant is March 23.
For more information, visit www.abbotsfordcf.org/communitygrants.html or contact McAlevy at smcalevy@abbotsfordcf.org or 604.850.3755.