Submission deadline extended to January 14, 2014 at 4pm !

On April 16, 2014, the social impact community will convene at the Roundhouse Community Arts Centre in Vancouver to witness a friendly competition as three non-profit social enterprises ‘quick-pitch’ their best ideas and biggest opportunities in front of a live audience.

Last year our challengers were awarded over $40,000 (combined) in grants & expertise by our judges who will ask important questions and offer up sound advice as they evaluate each pitch. An impressive roster of coaches and judges, awards, and expertise for 2014 has been lined up and now, we’re on the lookout for heroes in the making!

Do you think your social enterprise could achieve greater levels of success? Is there an opportunity you want to take advantage of? Are there improvements that could produce a big return? Do you have a marketing, finance, or business operations challenge that we can help overcome? We have the expertise and funding on hand to help! Please consider becoming a competitor in 2014.

Presented by Enterprising Non-Profits BC and sponsored in part by JDQ’s 3Spheres of Reciprocity™. More info at http://www.socialenterpriseheroes.ca

Eligibility

To be eligible, your organization must be located in BC and be an operational social enterprise (businesses owned by a non-profit organization). To apply for the opportunity to present your challenge/idea, we invite you to send us a two page Letter of Interest outlining your social enterprise (see below for guidelines). The finalists will be selected and notified by mid-February 2014.

Coaching is provided!

Don’t worry. Each finalist will be provided a coach who will work with them to fully develop a pitch & presentation. Our coaches are professionals and consultants who volunteer their time to support you in understanding the unique challenges/opportunities that your organization faces. Previous competitors have found the coaching to be invaluable all on its own.

Submission Guidelines

Send a short Letter of Interest “LOI” to kim@enterprisingnonprofits.ca.

Deadline for applications is 4pm January 14, 2014. Your LOI must not exceed 2 letter-sized pages and use 10-12pt font. Don’t forget to attach your supporting documentation.

Letter of Interest should include:

Contact Information

The name and contact details of the organization. Contact person’s name and position in the organization or project.

Background Information

The mission, goals and strategy of the parent organization (non-profit). The name and mission of your Social Enterprise.

General Social Enterprise/Business Information

Tell us about the goods or services sold by your Social Enterprise. Tell us about your market: who is buying from your Social Enterprise

An overview of your pitch:

Note: If your LOI is selected, a more detailed template will be provided to you for the event.

Define WHAT the opportunity or challenge is that you intend to address. Describe WHY this will contribute to your success as a social enterprise. Short term and long term impacts. Describe why your social enterprise is a great opportunity for the Social Enterprise Heroes to support. Your track record in terms of impact, competence, project and financial management. What the current context or situation is of the organization? What is your governance structure and strategy for community engagement? The level of expertise of the staff and/or volunteers involved.

Please include only relevant attachments that will help us make our selections, such as most recent social enterprise financials and strategic or business plans.