What the heck is ‘investment readiness’ anyway?

The second round of the Investment Readiness Program (IRP) opened on September 8th until October 9th, 2020. The first round of the IRP provided a number of important lessons for applicants that IRP Alberta (of which SEF is a partner) hope will be a benefit in this round. These key lessons, listed below, should help to develop stronger applications. 

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New look, new stories

Our latest edition of Portfolio sports a whole new look, as SEF updates our brand after ten years.  Take a look and find out more about the great work being done by our clients across Alberta.   And stay tuned for a whole new website very soon! SEF Portfolio Summer 2018

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A few simple basics

There are a number of ideas I find myself returning to over and over again in my work with SEF’s clients – a few simple basics that may help in your thinking about working in the world of social enterprise. Income must be bigger than outgo, or you don’t get to play.

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Psst…want to know a secret?

Just over a year ago, I was asked to speak on the topic “The Secret of Financing for Social Entrepreneurs.”  I recently came across the notes for that talk, and realized they’re still relevant – and thought I should share them here. If you have ever tried to launch any kind of enterprise or business, you will know that access to money at the right time can be key to your success.

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Changing the world can start in your own back yard

SEF has always believed that big impact can be created if you look at the opportunities in your own community.  Lately, we have partnered in several interesting conversations and projects using  community economic development to improve the lives of Albertans. If you would like to read more about community economic development and what it can do, take a look at two new publications in The Library on this site.

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Welcome SEF’s newest staff member!

I am delighted to welcome Gail Yakemchuk to the SEF team as our Administrative Associate.  You can read Gail’s bio on the About us page, and I hope many of you have the opportunity to meet her in person soon. I know you will give Gail the same warm welcome to the social enterprise world that you gave to me.

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It’s fall, and so back to school!

With the cool fall weather comes lots of new learning opportunities for social entrepreneurs.  Here’s a few that caught our eye. enp-ab is teaming up with Innoweave.ca to present an “Introduction to Social Enterprise” workshop in Calgary on 18 September 2014, plus a “Social Enterprise Feasibility Workshop” on 16 October 2014, also in Calgary.  

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Social entrepreneurs front and centre at Edmonton event

Make Something Edmonton is launching a new breakfast series, and the first topic on offer is social entrepreneurship.  On 14 July 2014, you can hear three great Edmonton social entrepreneurs tell their stories.  Featured are Meghan Dear of Localize, Kyle Dubé of Verto Labour Services, and Antoine Palmer of Sustainival. 

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Check out the summer Portfolio

If you want to see the latest about SEF’s current clients, check out the newest edition of Portfolio in The Library on this site.  You will find descriptions about all our newest loans, along with updates on the great projects already underway!

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SEF is hiring!

We have an opening for an Administrative Associate — and it might be you. Reporting to the Executive Director, the part-time Administrative Associate (17.5 hours per week) will provide a range of administrative, operations and loan servicing duties. Primary duties include record-keeping, recording loan disbursements and payments, general book-keeping and operation logistics. 

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