Social Finance
DEFINition
Social finance is a tool that seeks to mobilize private capital for the public good. It creates opportunities for investors to finance projects that benefit society and for community organizations to access new sources of funds. Definition from the Government of Canada.
Related Terms
Impact investments are investments made with the intention to generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return. Definition from the GIIN.
Social enterprises are organizations that employ market-based strategies to accomplish a social or environmental mission. More information and examples can be found here.
Resources
Inclusive Innovation
Recommendations from the Social Innovation and Social Finance Strategy Co-Creation Steering Group.
Supporting Social Change
A new funding ecology.
Harnessing the Power of Social Finance
Canadians respond to the national call for concepts of social finance.
The Philanthropist
A collection of social finance articles.
Alberta Examples
Alberta Community and Cooperatives Association, ACCA
Provides education, advocacy and development services to support member-owned businesses and raise community awareness of co-operatives.
Indian Business Corporation
Provides development lending and financial services to First Nations' business and individuals across numerous sectors and disciplines.
Social Enterprise Fund
Lends money to social enterprises in Alberta that want to make things better in the community and in the world.
Opportunity Development Cooperatives
Cooperatives that support local investment in various communities including Sangudo, Smoky River, Crowsnest Pass, Athabasca, Three Hills, Calgary (Local Investing YYC), and Edmonton’s Boyle-McCauley neighbourhood.
Outside Alberta examples
Social Finance UK
Work on social problems where the appetite for change is high. Find resources such as impact reports, publications, blog posts, projects, news, and much more on their website.
Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN)
A global champion of impact investing. Find case studies, research, and a database of impact investment funds.
SVX - Impact Investing
An impact investing platform for ventures, funds and investors seeking social and/or environmental impact alongside the potential for financial return.
Rhiza Capital
A Certified B Corporation intent on growing local economies and healthy communities by connecting root capital to impact ventures.
Good Finance UK
Helps charities & social enterprises navigate the world of social investment.
MaRS Centre for Impact Investing
Creates innovative ways for investors to fund social enterprises and charities with investments that create both a financial return for them and a dividend for society.
Raven Indigenous Capital Partners
Canada’s first Indigenous financial intermediary; their mission is to empower Indigenous entrepreneurs with the capital and expertise they need to succeed.