Three Greater Victoria non-profits have been propped up by a new round of funding from the Investment Readiness Program.
Easter Seals B.C., the Bateman Foundation and Soap for Hope Canada received almost $60,000 combined for operating business models that yield positive social, cultural and environmental results.
READ: A look inside Easter Seals Camp Shawnigan (with video)
Easter Seals B.C. received $28,000 for investments into a new social enterprise that will offer facility rentals at Camp Shawnigan. The Bateman Foundation will get $20,000 to nationally expand its Nature Sketch program – which provides art activities for people with anxiety. Soap for Hope Canada will also get $20,000 to create laundry detergent made from used hotel soap, which it will then give to community facilities and sell for a profit.
In a news release, Soap for Hope’s founder and executive director said the coming months will continue to be unprecedented, so it’s important for non-profits to expand funding sources.
“We are thrilled to have the support of the Investment Readiness Program as it allows us to explore development of a product our community facilities need on a regular basis, while also creating a social enterprise within our non-profit to provide another revenue stream,” said Anne McIntyre.
READ: Soap for Hope expands operation to 80 Indigenous communities during pandemic
The Investment Readiness Program is a $50 million pilot that aims to advance community-led solutions to social and environmental challenges, according to the Government of Canada’s website. The IRP funding was distributed by the Victoria Foundation, which distributed more than $300,000 of non-repayable capital to 16 local organizations.
“Social enterprise will be an important part of our sector’s recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Sandra Richardson, Victoria Foundation CEO. “The range of innovative ideas from the program applicants is truly inspiring and shows that our local organizations are working hard to achieve sustainability.”
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