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Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta to support social enterprises in Alberta through investment readiness program.

By October 21, 2022 No Comments

The newest round of IRP will help support local social enterprises as they get investment ready

In 2019, Community Foundations of Canada, alongside the Government of Canada and several partner organizations, announced the Investment Readiness Program (IRP), a program that helps social purpose organizations scale up their social enterprises to prepare to accept investments. Since then, IRP has had two intake periods and has supported many social enterprises in each round. The goal of the IRP is to support these organizations in the social finance market, generating a return for investors while having a positive impact on their communities.

The newest round of IRP intake has now launched. Social purpose organizations can apply for $10,000 to $75,000 to ensure their organization is ready for investment.

Eligible organizations can receive non-repayable IRP funds to develop their project to prepare for outside investment. Charities, non-profits, co-ops and for-profit, can all apply if they have an existing project or an idea that fits the definition of a social enterprise — selling a good or service with some profits going back into their mission to provide a positive social, cultural or environmental goal — AND are looking to take on investment in the future.

Please note, this program is being run through the Red Deer and Banff-Canmore Community Foundations. For questions about IRP in Alberta, please contact IRPAlberta@rddcf.ca or 1.587.457.6353.

Some key dates include;

The deadline to apply is November 22, 2022. You can do so here.

IRP Info Session: Find out if you’re eligible, what the IRP can do for your organization, and the key details to apply for up to $75,000 in funding. This will take place October 27th and you can register here.

IRP Applicant Q&A: If you have questions about your IRP application, join this webinar on November 15th and we’ll tackle applications together. Register here.