For 25 years, Social Capital Partners has been incubating and investing in ideas that expand economic opportunity in Canada. Here are some highlights:
2001
Social Capital Partners opens its doors
SCP launches to invest in social enterprises that provide employment opportunities to people experiencing disadvantages.
2001
SCP starts investing in social enterprises
SCP backs an array of social businesses, including Montreal-based Renaissance thrift stores, Atira Property Management and Inner City Renovation in Winnipeg.
2002
SCP supports the launch of TurnAround Couriers
TurnAround Couriers hires at-risk youth in Toronto and the GTA to be couriers and back-office staff, providing people with economic and social obstacles the chance they need to get ahead. TurnAround later goes on to win the Social EnterPrize Award at the Social Finance Forum for achieving financial sustainability and positive social impact.
2004
The Centre for Social Innovation opens on Spadina
SCP invests to secure 5,000 sq. ft. of shared workspace in the Robertson Building in downtown Toronto to house 14 organizations doing good in the world.
2006
SCP invests in Fresh Start Enterprises
Fresh Start Enterprises is a new kind of supermarket that provides childcare and enables employees who are single mothers to become financially independent and develop job skills.
2006
SCP incentivizes franchisees to hire people facing disadvantages
Active Green + Ross and Two Men and a Truck franchises secure SCP loans at below-market rates with a commitment to hire people who face employment barriers.
2010
We invest in the world’s first Community Bond
This innovation in social finance allows a nonprofit or charity to leverage its community of supporters to raise funds to do important work – like buying and renovating a building. Now, dozens of organizations have used Community Bonds to help pursue their mission.
2016
Rate Drop Rebate rolls out in 3 markets
This innovative loan program by financial institutions, publicly funded employment service providers, the Government of Ontario and SCP offers discounted borrowing rates to small and mid-sized businesses who hire people facing employment barriers in Hamilton, London and Ottawa.
2018
Federal Government launches Social Finance Fund after years of advocacy
This long-term $755-million initiative to accelerate the growth of Canada’s social finance market builds on over a decade’s advocacy from Bill Young and others through the Canadian Task Force on Social Finance and the Social Impact Investment Taskforce.
2019
Raven Indigenous Outcomes Fund launches
SCP supports a new fund, unique in the impact investing space, that provides early-stage capital to Indigenous-led start-ups such as Cheekbone Beauty, digital agency Animikii and Salish Environmental Group.
2020
We create a coalition to support small businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic
The Save Small Business group advocates to the federal government to protect small business needs during public health shutdowns and contributes to a critical rent relief program that saves thousands of businesses.
2020
SCP goes all in on advocacy for employee ownership in Canada
SCP’s white paper Building an employee ownership economy makes a comprehensive case for a “made-in-Canada” approach to employee ownership.
2022
More evidence to support employee ownership
Taylor Guitars adopts an employee-ownership model with the help of HOOPP and SCP, and a report by SCP and economist Brett House shows this new structure could lead to 505-7571 Canadian EOT conversions with 50,000-114,000 employee-owners by 2030!
2023
A new employee ownership coalition forms in Canada
This broad new coalition calls on the federal government to remove tax barriers to employee ownership, adopt the U.K.’s approach of a Capital Gains Tax exemption and introduce clear rules that protect taxpayers and employees.
2023
SCP begins engagement on federal economic policies
As part of the government’s review of the Competition Act, SCP consults on small business interests and a positive vision for the future of competition policy.
2023
Our Ownership Fund takes off
In line with our commitment to “ownership-lens investing,” our $2 million fund helps increase access to business or property ownership for 20 businesses – including Indiegraf, Apis & Heritage Capital Partners and Blackstar Stability.
2024
Employee Ownership Trust legislation becomes law!
Aligned with our advocacy, key new tax incentives exempt the first $10 million in capital gains from sale to an EOT and we help spread the word.
2024
Positive reforms to Canadian competition policy
The federal government announces reforms to the Competition Act that are consistent with our advocacy, that help consumers and push back against the consolidation of our economy.
2024
We welcome Social Capital Partners fellows
A slate of 21 visionaries with deep expertise and roots in different communities come together to make us smarter, improve our reach and deepen our impact.
2025
Canada gets a new employee ownership association
Employee Ownership Canada hires its first CEO with aims to build a formal industry association, promote EOTs and secure enduring tax incentives.