Incubating rural social enterprise with Community Futures East Kootenay

When you equip rural leaders with the right support, they’ll move ideas into action into economic resilience through social enterprise

 

In a region where community organizations are often stretched to meet complex needs with limited resources, leaders across the East Kootenays are exploring new ways to sustain and deepen their impact. Traditional grants and program funding help – but they aren’t always enough. Recognizing the need for more resilient and regenerative approaches, Community Futures East Kootenay launched the Social Enterprise Incubation Project in partnership with Impact Toolbox and Purppl, supported by ETSI-BC.

The initiative was designed to build the capacity and financial sustainability of local social purpose organizations through hands-on training, peer connection, and tailored coaching support. Impact Toolbox led a 16-week incubation program with six organizations, while Purppl facilitated monthly roundtables that brought together 19 social entrepreneurs from across the region. These sessions created space to explore core concepts in social enterprise development – revenue diversification, incorporation models, social finance, risk management – and to share tools, insights, and lived experience.

Participants described the sessions as both practical and grounding. Guest speakers brought real-world examples, and the group discussions offered time to reflect, learn, and connect. As one participant put it, “The roundtables were an excellent way of focusing my thoughts and understanding what is required.” Another participant shared, “Because of these roundtable meetings we are much closer to making a sustainable social enterprise. “

The early results are promising: four new social enterprises launched, generating over $2.39 million in revenue, creating nine jobs, and attracting more than $100,000 in community investment, with additional growth projected. Just as meaningful were the internal shifts. Participants reported greater clarity, confidence, and a more entrepreneurial mindset. Several expressed a desire to keep learning together, and many made new connections that continue to shape their work.

 

“Social enterprises are a fabulous tool for economic development in our rural communities as they help create resilience by empowering community members to affect change,” shared Robyn Peel, Community Economic Development Manager for Community Futures East Kootenay. “It’s great to have some momentum here in the East Kootenay region – hopefully we can keep that up and continue to grow the impact.”

 

This project affirmed what’s possible when we invest in rural changemakers. With time, tools, and trusted relationships, social entrepreneurs can build the confidence and capacity to try something new – and keep going. 

Social Enterprise Topics We Explored

1. Incorporation Structures for Social Purpose Organizations

Guest Speaker: Andrew Greer (Purppl & Thrive Impact Fund)

Participants learned how their impact model should guide their business model, and how both inform the most effective incorporation structure. Whether nonprofit, cooperative, or hybrid, the focus was on designing with intention.

“Your impact model should guide your business model, and both should guide your incorporation model.”

2. Profit and Risk Management

Guest Speaker: Susan Smith (Entrepreneur in Residence, Purppl)

Profit isn’t a dirty word – especially when aligned with purpose. This session helped organizations reframe profit and risk as essential tools for long-term sustainability and impact. Tools like the Theory of Change and Decision Matrix gave participants a framework for assessing risk holistically.

“Risk assessment needs to include the risk of maintaining the status quo.”
— Kerstin Renner, Community Futures East Kootenay

3. Revenue Diversification

Guest Speakers: Duncan Whittier (Executive Director, The Outdoor Learning Store), Mike Greer (Executive Director, Elevation Outdoors), Alyssa Farr (Entrepreneur In Residence, Purppl)

A strong social enterprise doesn’t rely on a single income stream. This session focused on strategies for building multiple revenue sources, understanding organizational risk thresholds, and planning for sustainability.

“Think small and then grow. You have to have a clear problem to solve to shape your impact, but that does not have to be a huge thing. Good stories sell good ideas.”
— Roundtable participant

4. Social Finance Fundamentals

Guest Speakers: Andrew Greer (Purppl, Thrive Impact Fund), Keri Sanderman (Community Futures East Kootenay)

From community bonds to revenue-based financing, this roundtable demystified the social finance landscape and opened new pathways for capital. Participants gained a clearer understanding of how to align funding strategies with their mission.

“There are far more options for capital than I knew about! It inspires me to try to think more creatively about potential revenue sources that align with our mission.”
— Roundtable participant

5. Making Sustainable Impact

Guest Speaker: Segun Fatudimu (Founder, Impact Toolbox and Entrepreneur In Residence, Purppl)

This session focused on the fundamentals of designing impact at scale – starting small, staying focused, and embedding purpose into every part of the enterprise. Segun shared examples from global social enterprises and emphasized the importance of clarity and storytelling.

“Real impact isn’t hard to sell. When people see it, they know.”
— Roundtable participant