New partnerships help non-profits access new sources of capital

Social finance is an emerging field that provides non-profits and social purpose organizations an opportunity to access new sources of capital and diversify their funding portfolio – including equity investments, loans, community bonds and other financial tools. By using private capital to serve the public good, social finance gives non-profits and social purpose organizations access to capital so they can advance their work and achieve their missions. 

To help organizations utilize the variety of funding sources available, OTF is joining three new partnerships which address challenges and barriers organizations face to fully participate and take advantage of social finance tools. 

• New Power Labs is creating a movement and national collaborative platform to work with investors, philanthropists, foundations, social justice organizations and governments to come together to help build a more equitable and inclusive financial system for underrepresented communities and groups.
  Partners: Marigold Capital, DUCA Impact Lab, Community Foundations of Canada, OTF

• Capital Initiative (Catalyst) is developing and delivering an action strategy to support existing and new place-based community capital institutions across Ontario, ensuring more capital is accessible for local communities and social purpose organizations.
  Partners: Pillar Nonprofit Network, DUCA Impact Lab, United Church of Canada, Community Foundations of Canada, VanCity Community Bank, 10 Carden, Social Venture Connexion (SVX), University of Toronto/Donner Fellowship, Upper Canada Equity Fund, OTF

• The Outcomes Canada model explores pathways to align governments, investors, and philanthropic organizations in their support for local organizations that are already implementing solutions to address community needs. This partnership will explore and test the model with community-driven solutions aiming to produce positive measurable outcomes, such as increased economic well-being, skills training, job creation, health, or other social and environmental outcomes.
  Partners: Community Foundations of Canada, Suncor Energy Foundation, McMaster University, OTF
   

“These partnerships will provide insight into how we can advance innovation in the non-profit sector, improve program delivery, and support better outcomes for Ontarians,” said Tracey Robertson, Lead, Partnership Investments, Innovation, OTF. “Collaborations across private and public sectors play a significant role in supporting and creating new opportunities for the non-profit sector to access new sources of capital.”  

Quick facts

• The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations.
• OTF’s Partnership Investments program connects the non-profit, public, and private sectors to build a stronger non-profit sector in Ontario.
• These partnerships are aligned with the Partnership Investments program Strategic Priority: New Sources of Capital.