Business Students Getting First-Hand Experience in Social Entrepreneurship
Business Students for Social Goals
Metro Business Opportunities (MBO) and the College of the North Atlantic (CNA) are pleased to announce Business Students for Social Goals, a joint initiative that will introduce the concept of Social Enterprise to future business leaders in the province.
Being trialed at CNA’s Price Philip Drive Campus this fall, Business Students for Social Goals will involve approximately 60 students in the Business Management Diploma program working with local not-for-profit organizations as part of the curriculum for the 3rd-year Strategic Management Course.
Bernadette Coady, Social Enterprise Coordinator at Metro Business Opportunities, will facilitate the eight-week student project. She will introduce the concept of Social Enterprise to the students, giving them a glimpse into how business practices and engaging in commerce can help not-for-profit organizations support their mandate. As part of the project, the co-ordinator will also be available to the student groups as they work with the organizations – completing an analysis of their commercial activities and planning special events highlighting Social Enterprise.
The project will culminate in a series of public showcase events to raise awareness of Social Enterprise, being throughout St. John’s and Mount Pearl during Small Business Week, which is slated for October 14th to October 20th, 2018.
About Social Enterprise
There are various models for not-for-profit organization funding: government, grants, fundraising, membership fees, etcetera. By offering goods and services for commercial sale through a Social Enterprise, a not-for-profit generates revenue that it can reinvest into achieving its core mandate. This innovative funding model can provide financial independence for an organization, and bring a more entrepreneurial approach to operations – helping the organization remain relevant, maximize efficiency, and achieve their goals.
About the Support Program
Launched in 2017, Support is a Social Enterprise Development Program for registered not-for-profit organizations in St. John’s and Mount Pearl. Offered by Metro Business Opportunities (MBO), Support offers up to $50,000 in financing to start or expand a Social Enterprise. The program includes essential business advice and learning opportunities, allowing organizations to develop the necessary skills for successful management of a Social Enterprise.
Participating Not-for-Profit Organizations
St. John’s Tool Library
Safety NL
Canadian Hard of Hearing Association
Pawsoloy
Project Grace
The Autism Society
Empower, the Disability Resource Centre
Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador
“With Business Students for Social Goals, we hope to raise awareness of Social Enterprise as a proven revenue model for non-profit organizations. We also hope the students will benefit from first-hand experience in Social Entrepreneurship, while learning more about the resources available to all entrepreneurs through business development organizations like Metro Business Opportunities.”
“College of the North Atlantic is always looking for ways to connect with organizations, businesses and communities in this province through it’s program offerings and student-focused initiatives, such as this one. This partnership is a win-win, as our students receive hands-on practical training in a real-world setting, while participating not-for-profit organizations are able to avail of the skillset of our students at no cost and help improve their social footprint.”