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Social Purpose Innovators is a unique experience developed by the United Way Social Purpose Institute to help businesses uncover or refine their core, societal reason for being.

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Propelling the Canadian Purpose Economy eBook

Social purpose business is taking off in Canada. The first national virtual dialogue on social purpose business, the Propelling Purpose Summit: The Road to the Purposeful Economy, November 17-18, 2021, helped propel the move to a future where social purpose is mainstream. The results of this national dialogue are captured in this eBook designed to help business leaders, investors, policymakers, academics, media, civil society, and social purpose professionals grasp the potential of this burgeoning movement – and find their place in it. We are at a historical moment where the potential exists to design an economy whose purpose is long-term well-being for all on a thriving planet. It needs accelerators from across the economy, provinces, sectors, and communities to realize this potential.

Check out the eBook to find the role you can play to change the course of business for good.

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What is Social Purpose?

Social purpose is an emerging trend in business – where companies define their reason for being in social terms, and place it at the core of their operations so it becomes the engine that powers the business and contributes to a better world.

It gives companies a competitive advantage, helps them navigate turbulent times, and creates new opportunities for maximizing profits and building shareholder value.

Social Purpose is good for business and good for society.

Through our Social Purpose Institute, United Way helps companies identify and develop their own social purpose propositions. And we work with business leaders to unleash their company’s potential to create positive social change that will improve the communities we call home.

Social Purpose Business Services

Social Purpose Innovators

Define and articulate your business’ unique social purpose for progress and growth.

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Social Purpose Implementers

Guiding businesses with an articulated social purpose through the process of implementing and fully integrating that purpose.

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Professional Development

Equip your staff teams to apply your social purpose in their roles/functions and much more.

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Some of the companies we’ve worked with

Visit our Alumni Directory for a full list.

In an increasingly digital and global market, it’s no longer good enough to just make or deliver the best products. Instead, more and more businesses are being judged by the values they hold and by the effect they’re having in the larger community. And today’s employees and consumers choose to do business with companies that make the world a better place.

Learn how you can unleash your company’s full potential:
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Latest Social Purpose News

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Why Social Purpose Matters for your Business

Latest news: Why Larry Fink’s words should spur you to action.

  • “To prosper over time, every company must not only deliver financial performance, but also show how it makes a positive contribution to society … Society is demanding that companies, both public and private, serve a social purpose.”

    Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock BlackRock is the largest investment firm in the world, managing $6 trillion in assets, January 2018

  • "Purpose driven companies who have the best interest of communities and all of their stakeholders in mind have always been more sustainably successful over the long term than businesses that don't."

    John Izzo, Author Author of The Purpose Revolution; June 4, 2018

  • “There are social problems to be solved and businesses solve problems. Businesses are innovators and the problems we have are numerous so it’s really about honing in on those [societal] problems and attacking them with some determination. I think that’s the heart to why businesses are successful through their Social Purpose.”

    Richard Kouwenhoven, CEO of Hemlock Printers Social Purpose Innovators Alumni

  • “Defining our business' social purpose is like discovering our North Star. While a few may have been steering toward its general direction, mapping it out and stating it explicitly enables all employees, management, customers and suppliers to be engaged and aligned towards our common aspirational goal.”

     Social Purpose Business Innovator participant

  • Out of eight respondents to the question of “what business benefits have you observed because of working on identifying your social purpose?” all eight reported short-term impacts. These included: Positive employee feedback, innovative ideas generated, positive customer reaction, and new partnerships attracted.

  • “The events of the last year have made even more clear the need for businesses to stand up in new and innovative ways to make their communities stronger and help address societal challenges. Adopting a social purpose gives your organization its North Star, galvanizing your entire ecosystem to drive positive change for your business and for society. Coast Capital is proud to work alongside the Social Purpose Institute to advance social purpose in business.”

    Maureen Young, Director, Community Leadership Coast Capital Savings