Community Connections Society

by | Mar 4, 2024

Community Connections Society 

Situated in Revelstoke, British Columbia, the Community Connections Society supports individuals and families by offering accessible social services. The Neighborhood Kitchen, a project under the Society, repurposes excess food from local retailers and food banks into nutritious meals while also providing kitchen space for local food-related businesses to scale their operations.

Challenge:

Seeking to reduce dependence on grants and operate more like a business, The Neighborhood Kitchen joined the Investment Readiness Program (IRP) to develop a line of frozen meals and enhance its business operations.

Solution:

With guidance from the IRP-funded consultant, The Neighborhood Kitchen explored the development of a unique line of frozen meals called “Muffler pots,” designed to cater to the local winter market. This initiative not only aligns with their mission but also presents a scalable business opportunity.

 

Impact:

The IRP program facilitated the planning and launch of the new product line, allowing The Neighborhood Kitchen to receive positive feedback from local snowmobile gatherings and events. Furthermore, with the assistance of their consultant, they finalized their business plan and prepared a loan application for local financing, setting the stage for sustainable growth.

Call to Action:

Are you seeking to innovate your social enterprise and create a sustainable impact in your community? Common Good Solutions can provide the expertise and support needed to navigate complex challenges and seize new opportunities. Contact us today to explore how our consulting services can help your organization achieve its goals and drive meaningful change.

 

Project Village

by | Mar 4, 2024

CGS case study

Project Village

Project Village, based in Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick, is dedicated to fostering thriving rural communities by addressing interconnected issues of environmental health and community well-being. Established in 2021 as a spin-off of Eastern Charlotte Waterways, Project Village takes a collaborative approach to tackling challenges such as access to safe, affordable housing, transportation, food security, and economic health.

Challenge:

Despite being situated in a small town, Project Village faces a pressing housing crisis similar to urban centers like Vancouver and Toronto. Recognizing the need for expertise in housing development, Project Village sought support to navigate complex development processes and funding opportunities.

Solution:

With assistance from the Investment Readiness Program (IRP), Project Village hired an experienced development consultant to guide them through their housing initiatives. This partnership not only equipped Project Village with the necessary skills but also enabled them to build internal capacity for future projects.

 

Impact:

Participation in the IRP program allowed Project Village to articulate their investment needs, assess potential impact, and prepare for engagement with the social finance sector. As a result, they are poised to secure investments for their upcoming projects, driving sustainable community development in the region.

Call to Action:

Are you facing challenges in community development or seeking to address pressing social issues? Let Common Good Solutions empower your organization to navigate complex challenges and secure the resources needed for impactful projects. Contact us today to explore how our consulting services can support your organization’s mission and drive meaningful change in your community.

 

Rural Agri-Innovation Network (RAIN)

by | Mar 4, 2024

CGS case study

The Rural Agri-Innovation Network

Established in 2013, RAIN aims to strengthen the agri-food sector in the Algoma region of Ontario. Originally a three-year pilot, RAIN has evolved into a unique enterprise offering technical assistance, funding for product development, and business services. Now part of the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre, RAIN recently merged with Harvest Algoma to directly address food insecurity in Northern Ontario.

Challenge:

Merging with another large company is a complex endeavor, but RAIN navigated it successfully with support from the Investment Readiness Program (IRP). The challenge was to develop a robust business case for the merger and sustain operations for Harvest Algoma while upgrading kitchen facilities.

Solution:

Participation in the IRP sessions provided valuable insights and perspectives crucial for developing the business case. IRP funding not only helped sustain operations for Harvest Algoma but also facilitated plans to upgrade kitchen facilities to support agri-food entrepreneurs.

 

 Impact:

Through the merger with Harvest Algoma, RAIN now directly addresses food insecurity by operating a large-scale food distribution center with a commercial kitchen and greenhouses. The IRP program also enhanced RAIN’s understanding of various social finance instruments, contributing to their successful fundraising efforts totaling over $1.2 million.

Call to Action:

Is your organization facing challenges in navigating mergers or addressing pressing social issues like food insecurity? Common Good Solutions can provide the support and expertise needed to navigate complex transitions and drive meaningful impact. Contact us today to learn how our consulting services can help your organization achieve its mission and create lasting change in your community.

 

The Prairie Center for Racial Justice

by | Feb 21, 2024

CGS case study

The Prairie Center for Racial Justice

The Prairie Center for Racial Justice (PCRJ) is a worker’s cooperative focused on anti-racist education, support, and policy advising. Led by Dr. Verna St. Denis, PCRJ aims to transform learning, work, and decision-making spaces by addressing racism embedded in colonial systems.

Challenge:

PCRJ sought to transition from academic expertise to a viable social enterprise model. While experienced in teaching and delivering anti-racism education, they faced challenges in business conceptualization and defining measurable outcomes for their services.

Solution:

PCRJ participated in the IRP program to develop a scalable social enterprise. Through online materials and coaching sessions, they learned to think at the social procurement level and refine their pricing model. They pivoted from a sliding scale pricing to full-price services, using surplus to subsidize community programming.

 

Photo: Left to right: Becky Sasakamoose Kuffner (Director); Dr. Manuela Valle-Castro (Director); Dr. Verna St. Denis (Senior Advisor); Sharissa Hantke (Director)

The IRP support bolstered PCRJ’s confidence and decision-making process. They secured significant contracts, mapped out viable funding options, and improved cash flow forecasting. With plans to secure a line of credit, lease office space, and train more facilitators, PCRJ is poised for continued growth and impact in its second year of operations.

“The support we have received has increased our confidence.” says Hantke. “We are so grateful for the IRP support, which has helped us to prioritize the decisions our group needs to make next to ensure we have viable funding options. The extra support we received with creating a cash flow has helped us to be more accurate in the revenues and expenses we are expecting for our first year as a business! Coaching was tremendously informative regarding sponsorship, finding RFPs, and seeking financing.”

With several significant contracts already secured, the next steps for PCRJ are to secure a line of credit to cover operational cash flow gaps and to lease office space.  They are also looking forward to training more facilitators in the coming year in order to scale in year two of operations. 

Common Good Solutions’ expertise can help you navigate complex business decisions and achieve your mission-driven goals. Contact us today to explore how our services can support your organization’s journey toward sustainable growth and social impact.

 

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