The Investment Readiness Program (IRP) is a federally funded initiative for social-purpose organizations to become investment ready and participate in Canada’s social finance market. Social purpose organizations can apply for funding between $10,000 – $100,000 to launch, design, measure and scale their social enterprise.
On Vancouver Island, the Victoria Foundation is hosting a funding call starting on January 8 to February 10, 2020. Applications for amounts over $30,000 require a much more rigorous application process. Charities, non-profits, co-ops and for-profit social enterprises, may all apply if they have an existing business or a business idea that fits the definition of a social enterprise.
The IRP supports new and innovative ways to help communities thrive, and is designed to help social purpose organizations grow and contribute to solving social, cultural and environmental challenges. Social purpose organizations are key to creating more resilient, equitable and sustainable communities—and the IRP aims to support them.
Find more information on the program, background, eligibility, FAQ, guidelines and contact info, visit the Vancouver Foundation. Additional rounds of funding will be announced in 2020.
Interested applicants can submit via the IRP application portal. The portal will be open to accept applications until February 10, 2020.
An Additional Note from PQCF…
Please contact the Parksville Qualicum Community Foundation for more information about this incredible opportunity.
Resources for Applicants – we have received a great deal of inquiry calls in the recent weeks. As applicants begin to engage, we will identify needs they have around structuring their application and moving their projects/programs forward. Please continue to forward any resources you feel might be applicable. We have a “living” document to continue updating with opportunities—and we will be sharing this with applicants.
Note, that this is an incredible opportunity for you to promote programs within your own organizations that support the social finance eco-system, and as our partner in this work, PQCF would be happy to promote these opportunities for you
