Social enterprises receive assistance

The Kaslo Jazz Fest Society is one of the Basin non-profit organizations receiving support through Enterprising Non-Profits.

Five Columbia Basin non-profit organizations were among the 20 throughout BC that were approved to receive over $96,000 in support from Enterprising Non-Profits (ENP) in its most recent intake.

ENP is a partnership of funders—including Columbia Basin Trust (CBT)—that promotes and supports social enterprise development and growth as a means to build strong non-profit organizations and healthier communities. Through ENP, organizations are able to access technical support in building business ventures that help them further their objectives and be more financially sustainable. ENP achieves this through its granting program, workshops and opportunities like its Social Enterprise Day of Learning Event.

"It has been wonderful having CBT as a funding partner," said David LePage, ENP program director. "Not only have we been able to increase the strength and vitality of the non-profit sector in the region, we have built strong, lasting relationships with local organizations. The sector learning and development has also been invaluable for ENP, as we continue to serve rural regions."

The Basin organizations receiving grants through ENP's fall 2012 intake are:

• Castlegar Hospice Society (Castlegar): Castlegar Hospice Regional Hospice Facility: A grant to revise and update the existing business plan.
• Kaslo Jazz Fest Society (Kaslo): Idea Screening and Feasibility Study for KJES Enterprise: A grant to conduct a feasibility study of three enterprises: Events services, fundraising services and summer programming or summer school.
• Summit Community Services Society (Cranbrook): Little Summit 24/7 Daycare: A grant to complete a feasibility study for the implementation of a 24/7 daycare program attached to an existing daycare facility and program.
• Trail and District Arts Council (Trail): Charles Bailey Business Plan: A grant to create a business plan for expanding the managing and operating of the Charles Bailey Theatre.
• Wapiti Ski Hill (Elkford): Wapiti Ski Club: A grant to prepare a business plan for a local community ski hill primarily run and managed by volunteers, which provides first employment for youth.

Another six Basin organizations received grants last spring: Community Futures Revelstoke, Creston Valley Friends of the Community Greenhouse Society, Groundswell Network Society, Kootenay Carshare Cooperative, Nelson CARES Society and Nelson Civic Theatre Society.

"The assistance provided by ENP helps strengthen our region's non-profit sector," said Sabrina Curtis, CBT director, Sector Initiatives. "These organizations are better placed to create both a financial and social return through their work."

The next ENP application deadline is May 23, 2013. Non-profits wishing to apply must attend a one-day workshop, which will take place in the Basin in Fort Steele (April 1) and Castlegar (April 22). To find out more, visit enterprisingnonprofits.ca.

ENP is a partnership of several funders: CBT, the Vancouver Foundation, the Vancity Credit Union, the Vancity Community Foundation, Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust, Northern Interior Development Trust and Capital One. Since 2008, ENP has awarded over 20 grants worth over $130,000 to social enterprises and enterprising non-profit organizations in the Basin.