1. The Social Economy, Community Economic Development and Social Enterprises
February 7th, 2008
Madison Saunders, MES
Community Economic and
Social Development (CESD)

2. Social Enterprises

3. What is a Social Enterprise?
“A social enterprise is a business like any other with customers, products and services, but as a nonprofit it also has a social objective like helping the unemployed or protecting the environment”.
(COIN n.d.)

4. Social Enterprise Elements
Offers Goods and/or Services
Based on solid business principles with a social mission
Often diverts some or all profits to supporting program delivery / services
Often employs those who face barriers to employment
Various Governance Structures

5. All the businesses produce products and/or sell services
Case Studies
Enterprise were designed specifically to employ people with disabilities
All the businesses produce products and/or sell services

6. Out of This World Café - Toronto
Jarrett Value 2
Cooperative - Sudbury
Charles Printing -
Hawkesbury
COIN
Food Services -
Peterborough
Case Studies
Out of This World Café - Toronto

7. Benefits to Employees Social Inclusion Community Integration
Self-esteem, Pride, etc…
Overcome Barriers
Opportunity
Income
Training

8. Financing Strategies Shared Revenue (and losses) Re-invests Profits
Umbrella Organization Support
Development Money
Ongoing Funding
“the important thing is to never lower [your] price”.
Caroline Arcand, Groupe CONVEX

9. “Quality Foods at Affordable Prices”.
Marketing Strategies
Captive Market
Word of Mouth
Sister Businesses
Chamber of Commerce
Website
“Quality Foods at Affordable Prices”.
COIN ( )

10. Governance Involves Employees in Decision-Making
Emerged out of Larger Organizations
Non-profit and Cooperative
Accommodation / Flexibility

11. Barriers and Challenges
Lack of Funding
Large Part-Time Staff
Aging Population
Knowledge Succession

12. Acknowledgements
Dr. Gayle Broad Algoma University College NORDIK Research Institute CCEDNet FedNor SSHRC Linking, Learning, Leveraging Charles Printing Groupe CONVEX COIN Food Services COIN Jarrett Value Centre Sudbury Developmental Services Out of This World Café Ontario Council for Alternative Businesses Toronto Enterprise Fund

13. References
Arcand, C. (2007). Personal Interview 11 December Groupe CONVEX.
Community Opportunity & Innovation Network Inc. (COIN). (n.d.). “Hands on Training Programs & Services Guide”. [Online]. Date Accessed: 18 January Available at:
Community Opportunity & Innovation Network Inc. (COIN). ( ). “Community Economic Development”. [Online]. Date Accessed: 6 January Available at: