Community Foundations of Canada, the Chantier de l’économie sociale, and their regional partners including the Vancouver Foundation have launched their Investment Readiness Programs (IRP). Applications will be accepted from Jan 8 2020 12:00 AM (EST) to Feb 10 2020 08:00 PM (EST).
IRP offers funding between $10,000 to $100,000 to support social purpose organizations, which includes co-ops, non-profits, charities, social enterprises, and for-profit social enterprises to advance towards or become ready for social finance investment.
Vancouver Foundation has compiled a list of important resources including Program guidelines, FAQs, application links, contact information and more. Additional information can also be found on the Community Foundations website including a full list of IRP Regional Partners and their contact details. Vancouver Foundation will also be hosting 3 info sessions in January so that you can learn more about the program:
- January 8 at 10:30am — Online
- January 17 at 2:30pm — 312 Main St., Vancouver
- January 21 at 3:30pm — City Centre Library, Surrey
Canada’s Community Foundations will also be hosting an online information webinar on January 13th, 2020 at 1PM EST.
What is the Investment Readiness Program?
The Investment Readiness Program (IRP) is a 2-year $50 million pilot program designed to help advance Social Innovation and Social Finance in Canada by building on existing supports to help catalyze community-led solutions to persistent social and environmental challenges. The pilot will provide a learning opportunity to inform future direction on how best to support and mobilize the social finance sector. The program will provide time-limited investments to support co-operatives and a broad range of social purpose organizations in improving their capacity and ability to participate in the social finance market, access new investment and contract opportunities, and support them throughout the innovation cycle.
Readiness support partners (Community Foundations of Canada, Chantier de l’économie sociale, Canadian Women’s Foundation, National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, National Association of Friendship Centres) will be administering a large part of the IRP on behalf of the Federal Government. These organizations are starting to establish processes to fund and support a broad range of social purpose organizations across Canada so they can access tailored expertise to become better positioned to take advantage of financing opportunities that will become available through the Social Finance Fund, as well as other investment opportunities.