What are reasonable profitability targets for a start up social enterprise with a mission to create employment for disadvantaged populations? How does external financing play a role in the execution of the social mission? And how does the social mission, as a key part of the business model, impact the ability to reach profitability targets?

This article showcases one of SCP's early investments and highlights key learning about the inherent mission tensions embedded in these business models.

What are boards, investors and management teams to do when there is tension between the financial and social bottom lines of social enterprises? And are there ways of optimizing the financial performance of the business without negatively impacting the social performance?

This article describes some of the learning Social Capital Partners has gleaned from seven years of investing in employment-based social enterprises. We identify what we believe to be the five most important factors that determine whether a social enterprise will be profitable or require some form of subsidy.

Summary version

Presentation to the Social Purpose Enterprise Managers Forum at SiG@MaRS, Toronto.

Sherri Torjman of Caledon and SCP's Bill Young have co-authored an article that was published by The Caledon Institute. This article discusses why social enterprise have developed more quickly in the U.S. and the U.K. and what Canada needs to do to catch up.

Presentation by Joanne Norris of Social Capital Partners and Irene Gannitsos of the Vancity Community Foundation at the 2nd Canadian Conference on Social Enterprise in Vancouver, BC in January 2007.

Presentation of SCP's strategies and experience to date, as presented at the Social Enterprise Policy Forum in Septmber 2006.

Bill and Joanne presented their experience to date with social return on investment analysis to community practitioners, government representatives and academic researchers in Ottawa at the Carleton Centre for Community Innovation, Carleton University in June 2006.

Document that outlines our initial concept, learning and challenges around social enterprise.

For more recent information, visit the Our Evolution section.

Document that outlines our initial thinking around working with franchises and social hiring.

For updated information, visit the Franchise Strategy section.

The presentation Value For Your Dollar, The Social Enterprise Impact Assessment Project was presented at the annual Social Enterprise Alliance Convention held in Atlanta, Georgia. This presentation covers the Social Impact Assessment climate in Canada, and the need to find a reporting structure that covers both finanical and social outcomes.