Social Enterprise Toronto (SET), a network of nonprofit social enterprises in the Greater Toronto Area, held its first conference January 29-30. The sold out event started with a tour of 5 member social enterprises on the first day (Free Geek Toronto, Working For Change, Out of This World Cafe, Windfall Brides and Furniture Bank), while the second day was dedicated to networking, plenary presentations, workshops, and a procurement roundtable (view the program here).
Helen Burstyn, Special Advisor for Ontario’s Office for Social Enterprise, provided a lunchtime address that highlighted the provincial government’s new strategy to support the development of social enterprise in Ontario.
An important component of the SET Conference 2014: Trends and Opportunities, was the roundtable discussion on social procurement. The delegates sitting on the panel presented on a number of exciting opportunities for social enterprises to get in at the ground level on contracts with the City of Toronto, Metrolinx, and the upcoming Pan Am Games. Read more about this round table >
SET also released its own report, Thriving or Surviving, a comprehensive study on social enterprises in the GTA. The report is based on interviews with social enterprises and helps move SET’s strategic plan forward in investigating key strategic issues relevant to operating social enterprises in the GTA. SET also announced that they will be extending their membership to the broader Golden Horseshoe Area. Become a member today!
