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".

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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:
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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.
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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)

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 Centre’s 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.