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Archives
September,
2008
Measuring
Social Value in CSR: Lessons from Community Enterprise in Canada
Edward
T. Jackson presents at the CIRIEC-International (the
International Centre of Research and Information on the Public,
Social and Cooperative Economy) 27th Annual Conference in Seville,
Spain. The general topic of the conference was "Innovation
and Management: Answers to the great challenges of public, social
economy and cooperative enterprises".
See
more >>
March,
2008
Corporate Sector Engagement: Case Studies
and Tools
This
series of case studies and tools examines ways in which corporations
have engaged with communities, broadly defined, to advance community
economic development (CED). A diversity of cases and tools are examined
in this series displaying innovation in corporate
engagement through the harnessing of both financial and non-financial
contributions to nonprofits and communities. Other cases illustrate
strategic philanthropy and partnering with nonprofits. Moreover,
the series profiles tools that enable corporations to carry out
community investments, and tools that help companies evaluate the
social impact of these investments.
Please click here to access
our Publications Listing:
.
April,
2007
CEDTAP: Shifting From Grant-Making to
Knowledge Mobilization
After
ten years as Canada's largest non-governmental grant-maker in the
field of community economic development, the Community Economic
Development Technical Assistance Program (CEDTAP) is shifting its
focus from grant-making to knowledge mobilization.
CEDTAP
is currently completing its final project selection round - which
is also its largest ever. Since November 2006, the Program received
over 100 requests for technical assistance from across the country.
Selection decisions will be finalized by the end of April 2007 and
all projects are scheduled to be completed by December 2007. The
timeframe is tight and we appreciate the patience and support of
all applicants as staff and volunteers complete the rigorous review
process.
By
May 2007, we anticipate that we will reach an important milestone
- some 500 CED projects, in every region of the country, will have
received support from CEDTAP! As we celebrate this achievement,
we also take pride knowing that the CED sector has grown bigger,
stronger and more diversified. CEDTAP has been proud to contribute
to this growth.
While
the national grant-making component of CEDTAP is coming to an end,
we are very excited about our work ahead. Based at the Carleton
Centre for Community Innovation, and working with faculty members
and students as well as sector partners, we will carry out action-oriented
research on key issues in CED, social enterprise and social finance.
This
effort has already begun. Over the past year, we have initiated
studies to assess CED impacts, in cooperation with grantees and
technical assistance providers. We have also been doing leading-edge
work on corporate sector engagement with CED, and look forward to
sharing cases, tools and resources with you. Finally, research is
underway to explore models for social/community financing-models
that could enhance the long-term sustainability of the CED sector.
We
gratefully acknowledge the support of Carleton University, Bell
Canada, J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, Ontario Trillium Foundation,
RBC Foundation, and Power Corporation. We also extend our thanks
to the hundreds of community-based organizations, technical assistance
providers and countless other project partners and volunteers who
have contributed to CEDTAP over the years.
June
19, 2006
Measuring Social Return on Investment
On June 19, 2006, as part of its ongoing work
on CED impacts, CEDTAP organized a workshop on social return on
investment, or SROI. Led by Bill Young, President of Social Capital
Partners, and Joanne Norris, SCP's Director of Social Returns, the
workshop was held at Carleton University and was attended by more
than 30 CED practitioners, philanthropy staff and government officials.
The resource persons outlined the venture philanthropy methods--through
grants, loans and active board participation--used by SCP with social
enterprises across Canada. The focus of its investments is on employment-based
strategies for populations facing multiple job barriers. Drawing
from the SROI work of the Roberts Enterprise Development Fund in
the US, and the UN's sustainable livelihoods framework, SCP calculates
the annual SROI for its investee businesses and posts them on its
website, socialcapitalpartners.ca, including analyses for Inner
City Renovations in Winnipeg's north end and for used-clothing retailer
Renaissance in Montreal. To access the SCP Powerpoint presentation
for the workshop, click here.
June
2006
Guide for Analysis of Social Economy Enterprises
The Guide for Analysis of Social Economy Enterprises
is now available in English. The expertise acquired over years by
actors and organizations specialized in financing social and solidarity
economy in Quebec has now its English version. The guide is an important
tool for advisors and analysts and is very well known by experts
of solidarity finance.
This guide provides a range of tools for analysis, evaluation and
development of social economy businesses plans. It also approaches
to accounting characteristics of NPOs and cooperatives.
Training is also offered
In addition, based on the concepts presented in the Guide, a face-to-face
training is offered for advisors, analysts, and managers of collective
enterprises. The training’s aim is to prepare the participants to
evaluate the set of elements that composes a social economy enterprise.
Click here
for more information.
May
16, 2006
Tools for Innovation in Rural and Northern Communities launched
GUELPH, Ontario - "Innovation Pathways: Tools
for Rural and Northern Community Innovation" a 118-page book filled
with exercises, tips, ideas and strategies for creating an innovation
culture was launched today at a celebration at the Arborteum, University
of Guelph. An electronic version of the tools is available online
at www.innovativecommunities.ca
The Framework for Innovative Rural Communities (IRC) project research
reports, upon which the tools are based, are also available on the
website.
The Innovation Pathways tools are designed for use by rural innovation
champions and leaders, who are interested in building innovation
capacity within their organization or community. The tools provide
detailed materials for local innovation planning. “Rural innovators
and innovation champions were integral to the development of these
tools” explains Mary Robertson Lacroix, IRC project manager. “They
contributed to the research, told their stories and tested the tools,”
she adds. The final version reflects their experience, comments
and suggestions. Click here
for more information (PDF 91K)
February
14, 2006
How Corporations Can Engage with CED
CEDTAP joined with Bell Canada and Imagine
Canada to organize a Roundtable on Community Economic Development
at the Bell Canada building in Calgary. Attended by some 15 corporate
representatives with responsibility for community investment, Aboriginal
relations and corporate social responsibility, the workshop heard
presentations by Michael Hall, Imagine Canada´s VP Research, on
the size, nature and funding base of the non-profit sector, CED
leader Walter Hossli on MCC Calgary's employment development work,
and consultant Richard Fries on the Calgary Social Purchasing Portal.
CEDTAP's Director Ted Jackson gave a presentation entitled: Community
Economic Development: What Is It, and Why Should it Matter to Corporate
Canada? Click here
to view this presentation. A lively discussion ensued at the Calgary
session. Bell Canada's Tanya Oliva hosted the meeting, which was
one of a series being organized across the country with the support
of The Ontario Trillium Foundation, The JW McConnell Family Foundation
and other CEDTAP partners. The first of these roundtables was held
in Toronto in September 2005.
February
27, 2006
Measuring Expanded Value-Added
On February 27, 2006, Laurie Mook, Co-Director
of the Social Economy Centre at the Ontario Institute for Studies
in Education, University of Toronto, led a workshop for CEDTAP staff
and associates on the Expanded Value Added Statement (EVAS). EVAS
is a method for measuring the social return on investment of non-profit
and co-operative organizations for a given fiscal year. Financial
market values are calculated for volunteer time contributed, knolwedge
and skills generated, and innovations transferred. George Brown,
Executive Director of the Ottawa Community Loan Fund and Lecturer
on the social economy in Carleton's School of Public Policy and
Administration, provided case-study data from the Fund for analysis
at the workshop. To view Professor Mook's presentation, click here.
March 16, 2006
Assessing CED Impacts
CEDTAP is carrying out a major study of the
CED impacts of its projects and grantee organizations. The study
has multiple components, including a literature review on relevant
impact assessment methodologies, analysis of completed CEDTAP projects
by knowledge cluster, a review of CEDTAP-funded projects on evaluation
and performance assessment tools, surveys of the experience of CEDTAP
grantee organizations and technical assistance providers, and detailed
case studies of selected grantee organizations. The team for this
initiative includes: Ted Jackson, Sergio Cacciotti, Gail Zboch,
Sandra Elgersma, Karim Harji, Julianna Jablasone, Elaina Mack and
Amy Wilmott. An update of this project was presented by Ted and
Gail at the recent national CED conference in Vancouver. Their presentation
can be accessed by clicking here.
June
16, 2005
CED Organizations Tell Their Own Stories
These organizations tell their own stories
about experiences in community building and how CEDTAP support helped
to get their projects off and running.
Read More
March
18, 2005
Approved CEDTAP initiatives in 2004 now available
CEDTAP funded 53 projects in 2004, on a range
of activities focused from feasibility studies, business and strategic
planning, to marketing, evaluation, and training...
Read more.
JANUARY
22, 2005
CEDTAP-- A WORTHY CONDUIT FOR SOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS
by
Jodie Warren, "A Special Information Supplement for Canadian Business
for Social Responsibility" (CSR3), article from The Globe and
Mail
Looking for a way to increase your company's social equity? Working
with a respected social development organization such as Carleton
University's Community Economic Development Technical Assistance
Program (CEDTAP) is one way to ensure that good intentions produce
the desired results.
Created in 1997 and funded by the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation,
CEDTAP is Canada's largest non-profit (non-governmental) Community
Economic Development (CED) granting organization. To date, CEDTAP
has helped more than 345 CED organizations to implement progressive
community development initiatives aimed at disadvantaged communities
throughout Canada.
CEDTAP's funding covers a wide range of sectors, from fishing, forestry
and health services to housing and technology. Of the latter, executive
director Jacques Carrière, notes CEDTAP is currently working on
50 technology-based projects, ranging from developing portals that
profile a community's products and services to utilizing GPS systems
on the Internet that help promote community tourism.
"Development of the high-tech sector in local communities is very
important as we move from resource-based economies to knowledge-based
ones," he says.
Mr. Carrière notes that companies donating either time or funds
have the added benefit of seeing the long-term impact - economically
and socially - on these communities. "The strategy of economic development
is to better or improve a community," he says. "There is a social
purpose to it."
CEDTAP was recently buoyed by a $1-million donation by Bell Canada.
Said Mr. Carrière, "It is certainly easier to knock on the corporate
sector's door with Bell Canada involved."
Bell Canada funding is crucial to helping CEDTAP broaden its scope.
"The commitment from Bell is a major breakthrough," says Mr. Carrière.
"It brings important financial help to communities. Companies such
as Bell are seeing the value in trying to help our communities thrive
and stay strong."
Read the rest of stories from the "Information Supplement", click
here. (pdf, 1855kb)
JANUARY
22, 2005
HIGH-TECH'S OTHER LEARNING EDGE
A Special Information Supplement for Canadian Business for Social
Responsibility, article from The Globe and Mail
The responsible business practices of Canadian high-tech companies
such as HP, IBM, Microsoft, Xerox and Bell contribute to this sector's
glowing reputation for CSR leadership. Imagine if more Canadian
tech companies did the same? One thing's for sure, Bell's Community
Investment Team - represented here by Nathalie Nahmiash, Pamela
McDonald, Serge Audet, Sophie Belanger and Lisa Banks - means business.
There is a balance between remaining profitable, providing good
return for shareholders and being accountable to society and the
environment," says Rob Gross of CSR watchdog Jantzi Research. "More
Canadian tech companies need to understand that…"
Read the complete report of the "Information Supplement", click
here. (pdf, 1855kb)
ARCHIVES
Philanthropic
gift of $1 million from Belll Canada
May 2004
Bell
Canada is announcing a philanthropic gift of $1 million to CEDTAP
to undertake the management of the Bell Community Economic Development
Fund.
Read More
CEDTAP
To Honour Order Of Canada Recipient During High Profile Event
Globe
and Mail Incoming Editor Edward Greenspon to Speak about Trends
Forcing Local Innovation in Canadian Society
Ottawa,
June 10, 2002 - The Community Economic Development Technical Assistance
Program (CEDTAP), a national organization managed by Carleton University,
will host a private luncheon to honour Mr. Tim Brodhead, President
and CEO of the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation. Read
more.
CEDTAP
Launched Second Phase to Reach 500 Communities
This is Carleton, June 25, 2001
On
May 17th, over 100 guests from the business, government, and non-profit
sectors gathered to launch the second phase of The Community Economic
Development Technical Assistance Program, or CEDTAP. Speakers included
Tim Brodhead, President and CEO of the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation,
and Carleton representatives.
Using
University Expertise to Build Strong Communities
Research Works, March 2001
A
Carleton University centre is helping to make the connections between
the building blocks of strong communities across Canada. The Centre
for the Study of Training, Investment and Economic Restructuring
(CSTIER) is a link between the community and Carleton University,
explains Ted Jackson, the Centres Director. We work
with Canadians, especially rural but also urban, to help them address
economic challenges and develop their own solutions to create jobs
and strengthen their communities. Read
more.
Economic
Program Will Benefit 500 Communities
Times and Transcript, Wednesday, October 18, 2000
Writer
and essayist John Ralston Saul, husband of Governor General Adrienne
Clarkson, was back in Moncton yesterday to discuss democracy. Following
his official visit to New Brunswick last week, Saul was the keynote
speaker that the conclusion of the Community Economic Development
Technical Assistance (CEDTAP) annual forum at the Delta Beauséjour
hotel. Read
more.
$5-million
Gift Boosts Job Prospects For Poor
The Ottawa Citizen , Wednesday, October 18, 2000
Carleton
University has received a $5-million gift to support a program that
helps low-income people get jobs. The donation, from the Montreal-based
J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, is one of the largest gifts ever
made in the Ottawa region. Read
more.
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