This series of blogs talks about social purchase as a way to bolster demand for the goods and services produced by social enterprises. The Caledon Institute recommended this approach to the City of Hamilton as one option in pursuing its goal of social inclusion. The City was interested in this objective in respect of its role as co-host of the PanAm Games in 2015. For background, please read the previous post: Enough Talk. Where's the Action?

Turns out Vancouver helped blaze the trail*. The Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee actively employed a Community Benefits Agreements approach described in blog #2 in this series. The benefits of a contract must go to more than just the successful bidders. Vancouver’s experience in developing Community Benefits Agreements grew from its commitment to social, economic and environmental sustainability.

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The lure of technology lies in its dynamism. The development of sleeker hardware and faster software lingers just around the corner, fueling the competitive desire to get to it first. Within the organizations birthed by this drive, the lights are dim, the drive is high, and snacks abound to keep you energized.

It’s this type of drive, curiosity and competition that brings some technology entrepreneurs, as investors, to the world of social enterprise.

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This series of blogs talks about social purchase as a way to bolster demand for the goods and services produced by social enterprises. The first two posts have described the concept and suggested two ways of encouraging its adoption, especially in the public sector.

The Caledon Institute recommended this approach to the City of Hamilton as one option in pursuing its goal of social inclusion, in respect of its role as co-host of the PanAm Games in 2015. Here are the recommendations on social purchase that we made to the City. They pertain to the Games specifically but clearly have broader application.

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I was first introduced to the Acumen Fund in 2009 when I was looking to work internationally. It was recommended to me as a well-run non-profit that addressed the issues of poverty using a market-driven approach. While it has been on my radar since then, the Toronto Chapter’s “Dignity In Focus” event was the first time I formally interacted with the organization. On December 1, Toronto + Acumen partnered with Nuru Project to host a photo auction fundraiser. Judging from the packed room, engaged crowd, and beautiful pictures, I’d say that the event was a success.

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The 2011 Social Finance Forum, which took place over the past two days at the MaRS Discovery District in Toronto, brought together investors and ventures in order to create meaningful interactions and learning opportunities to mobilize capital and inspire new ideas. This video covers some of the key events of the day.

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