When the Dragon’s Away…
JDQ Systems Inc. and Vancity are proud to announce a call for Letters of Intent to participate in Social Enterprise’s answer to the Dragon’s Den
Ever wonder what might happen if the dragons left their den and entered the realm of social enterprise? Welcome to a special business case contest where two social enterprises pitch their key challenges to a judge and jury of their peers.
The social enterprise judged to have the most synergistic opportunity in the spheres of helping, learning and profiting will win the opportunity to work in partnership with Vancity and JDQ to solve their enterprise challenge, as well as a $15,000 award to implement solutions. But that’s not all! The “runner up” will receive a technical assistance award of $2,500.
This event is sponsored by Vancity Community Foundation and Enterprising Non-Profits. Business process improvement expertise and advice for the contestants provided by event hosts JDQ Systems Inc. and the 3Spheres of Reciprocity, in partnership with Vancity. Vancity and JDQ Systems are collaborating once again to provide support for improving the performance and capacity of social enterprises.
When the Dragon’s Away… A “live” Social Enterprise Business Case Competition
We believe that the best learning comes from immersing ourselves in the tangible experiences of those involved in social enterprise, and what better way to share tangible experiences than through the presentation of a business case, delivered by operating social enterprises, for a social enterprise audience.
To that end, we are proud to host the first ever social enterprise version of the Dragon’s Den. We are calling on social enterprises to share their stories about key challenges to be addressed within their organization and pitch why their business case merits a $15,000 funding award. To apply, organizations must be social enterprises (i.e. revenue generating businesses owned by a non-profit organization) and already fully operating. Organizations must also be located within the Lower Mainland. Particular consideration will be given to those whose cases provide the best opportunities to draw larger lessons for the social enterprise audience.
Your key challenge can focus on any issue from financing and resource development, to marketing and procurement, to systems. The event will highlight two business case presentations from social enterprise operators, who will share their story before receiving feedback from an experienced panel and from an audience of their peers.
The goal is to provide support to the successful social enterprise candidate, while creating enormous learning value for all of those viewing who are working to develop socially and environmentally progressive enterprises.
To apply for this opportunity, send a two page letter of intent telling us about your organization, your key challenge to be addressed and why we should select your organization as one of two candidates in this event. Please include any relevant attachments that may help us to make our selections, including financials, strategic and business plans, marketing and development materials.
Send letters of intent and supporting documents attention Peter Roundhill by e-mail to peter_roundhill@vancity.com or by mail to Vancity Community Foundation, 510-815 W. Hastings St., Vancouver, BC, V6C 1B4.
Deadline for applications is November 28th, 2008. The presenting organizations will be selected and notified in late December 2008. The event will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2009. Mark the date in your calendars.
For more information, please contact Jon Morris; jon@jdq.com or Liz Lougheed Green; elizabeth_green@vancity.com
About Vancity
Vancity (Vancouver City Savings Credit Union) is Canada’s largest credit union, with $14.1 billion in assets, more than 390,000 members, and 59 branches throughout Greater Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and Victoria. Vancity and its subsidiary companies are guided by a commitment to corporate social responsibility, and to improve the quality of life in the communities where we live and work.
About JDQ Systems Inc.
JDQ designs, implements and audits business management systems. We write software, manage improvement and IT projects and offer many other services and products that make it possible for companies to thrive and achieve world-class success. Our JUMP! suite of products builds solutions on the foundation of what’s already working. Our teamwork results in improved efficiency, revenue growth and cost savings. We have realized highly successful solutions for leading companies in many diverse industries. We invite you to join with us to innovate your success. Event Sponsors
Enterprising Non-Profits, enp, is a unique partnership of foundations, credit unions and government that promotes and supports social enterprise development and growth as a means to build strong non-profit organizations and healthier communities. Enp is a funding program that provides matching grants to non-profit organizations in BC that are interested in starting or expanding a business. The enp funders include: Coast Capital Savings Credit Union, Northern Trust, United Way of the Lower Mainland, Vancity Credit Union, Vancity Community Foundation, Vancouver Foundation, and Western Economic Diversification Canada.
Vancity Community Foundation is a public foundation associated with Vancity Credit Union. Building on a cooperative tradition and values, we provide a vehicle for philanthropic giving and developmental support through which people can come together and realize the vision of communities
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