Thrive Impact Fund

Calling all British Columbia based businesses looking to raise funding in 2025. Raising money is hard, but it doesn't have to be as hard as it seems. First, setting the right goals creates the compass to follow. Knowing what types of capital are right for your business based on your stage and growth potential creates focus and avoid distraction. Being empowered to know what to prepare ensures you have the right checklist to answer any question. Of course, being able to talk to experts when you need to ensures you have the confidence, and the knowledge, throughout to get the money in the bank. The Discovery Foundation, led by Dr. David G. Harper is working with Spring to deliver the Essentials in Startup Investing program. This program provides four key elements to ensure you are ready to raise well. ✅ Mentorship – Get dedicated 1:1 support from experts. ✅ Flexibility – Choose how much you want to learn with our light-touch Essentials guidebook or full-scope LMS tailored to your areas of funding needs ✅ Live Webinars – Dig into what you need to know most from industry leaders who have successfully walked a path similar to yours. ✅ Support – Continuous help and networking opportunities with Spring’s ecosystem of impact entrepreneurs & investors Join now to prepare for January and a strong raise in 2025: https://lnkd.in/gHnrsnQ7 Thanks to Andrea Butters, Gianina Mei Yumul, Allison Gibson, Rhea Sealy, and the entire Spring team for making this possible. #fundraising #raisingcapital #preseed #seed #techforgood #businessforgood

December 2-8 is Buy Local Week! 💫 Local businesses are the heart and soul of our communities.💞 They also create big economic impacts, by creating jobs, circulating profits, buying local products/services and supporting local causes. Make your dollars count and join us in supporting local businesses.💸

Calling all Coast Capital Savings nonprofit members – apply today and participate for FREE in the Thriving Non-Profits Spring 2025 cohort! For the upcoming Spring 2025 cohort, Coast Capital Savings is generously offering bursaries for their #nonprofit banking members to participate for free. If you are ready to apply, please submit your application for the Spring 2025 cohort at: https://lnkd.in/g_tjp5HG In the application, you can identify that you are a Coast Capital Savings member and the size of bursary you need.

Victoria friends and colleagues! FED Urban Agriculture CSA program is open before the holidays! Looking for the best holidays present and the gift that keeps on giving (veggies)? How about 20 weeks of fresh, urban farm grown produce next summer? You can also donate food boxes to families in need next year through the link below for your annual charitable giving. Thank you for supporting grassroots sustainability efforts 🙏 https://lnkd.in/gnxNWWAY

The recent shift of OpenAI—a company once considered a beacon of ethical AI development—towards a public benefit corporation has stirred up big conversations. As someone invested in the social economy, and a bit of a geek on incorporation and governance, I view this change with a mix of caution and resolve. It’s a textbook example of how governance structures can shape (or shake) an organization’s mission. Here’s why it matters: Governance as a Safeguard Against Greed Originally, OpenAI was governed by a nonprofit board with a clear mission: develop AI to benefit humanity. But governance weaknesses opened the door to a for-profit drift—arguably toward profit maximization at the expense of the public good. When big money shows up, so does the risk of losing sight of the mission. This is why robust governance structures in the social economy aren’t just “nice to have”; they’re essential. The board of OpenAI’s nonprofit thought the for-profit subsidiary was safe from greed; it’s not. Weaknesses in the nonprofit governance enabled a drift towards profit maximization, watering down the social benefit. The Limitations of PBCs and B Corps While benefit corporations and B Corp certifications have their merits, they don’t go far enough in locking profit into community benefit. In British Columbia, a Community Contribution Company (CCC) or a Community Interest Company (CIC) in Nova Scotia takes things further, with built-in dividends, profit, and asset locks. Imagine if OpenAI were a CCC—if it were sold, 60% of the proceeds would return to the community, typically to a charity or nonprofit. These structures keep wealth and power in the hands of many, rather than concentrating it with the few. Spoiler alert: Purppl is incorporated as a CCC and we’re proud of it. CCCs have governance gaps, but they go further than benefit corporations or B Corps to keep wealth on mission and in community hands. Why Accountability to Social and Environmental Impacts Matters Some argue that CEOs of public benefit corporations should have flexibility in pursuing social or environmental impacts. I disagree. Accountability is not a constraint—it’s a commitment to people and the planet. Accountability is what keeps the social economy honest and sustainable. If we’re serious about issues like the climate crisis, accountability needs to be non-negotiable. For anyone in social enterprise, this story is a wake-up call. If we want to safeguard our missions, especially as more capital flows into our sector, we need structures that prioritize community benefit over private gain. If we truly want to address social and environmental issues, we must challenge the concentration of wealth and power that leaves so many behind. Let’s push for stronger governance, explore better ownership models, and remain vigilant stewards of the social impact we aim to create. 💪 #SocialEnterprise #Governance #ImpactInvesting #CommunityWealth #AssetLock #SocialEconomy #MissionDriven #SystemChange

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported the VMF Fundraiser last Thursday! ✨ Your generosity and enthusiasm empower us to continue creating spaces for art, connection, and community across Vancouver. With your support, we’re not just painting walls, we’re building a movement that celebrates creativity and brings people together. As we approach our 10th anniversary, we’re reflecting on a decade of transforming walls into stories and neighbourhoods into vibrant, connected communities. We need your support to make the next chapter even more impactful! Head to our website at vanmuralfest.ca./donate and donate today to be part of the art! 🎨 #VMF #fundraiser #CommunityImpact #PublicArt

Nonprofits! Have you registered for tomorrow's Community event yet? Don't miss this opportunity to learn about bridge financing opportunities for nonprofits and understand how to support your organization through tough times and cash crunches! Join Scale Collaborative Co-Founder and Director of the Thrive Impact Fund, Kristi Fairholm Mader for an interactive learning session that will explore bridge financing options and whether this type of funding is the right fit for your nonprofit. At Thriving Non-Profits, we're dedicated to bringing you the most cutting edge learning and resources for nonprofits available today. Register for free or join our online Community to access all of our previous event recordings and other resources: https://lnkd.in/gp9YasY4