Glossary of Terms
ABCD Network
"Asset Based
Community Development (ABCD) is an approach that identifies
and builds on the personal social and economic assets of a
community by supporting initiatives that focus on capacity
building, problem-solving and wealth building for
individuals and communities."
(www.communityfoundationottawa.ca)
Accommodation *
The strategies and practices used by social purpose
enterprises to support low-income and homeless populations
to participate in the business, and engage in the broader
economy and community.
Affirmative
Business *
“What you refer to as an "Employment Enterprise" is probably
what a lot of people call an "affirmative business": John
DuRand invented the concept in the early 1970s and it has
since become the most common form of social enterprise.
Unlike a sheltered
workshop, an affirmative business is created specifically to
provide permanent jobs, competitive wages, career
opportunities and even ownership for people who are
disadvantaged, whether it be mentally, physically,
economically or educationally. Employees have included
people who are developmentally disabled, chronically
mentally ill, recovering substance abusers, former convicts,
visually impaired, physically challenged, members of
inner-city minority groups, and many, many others.”
(E-mail (June 30/03)
from Jerr Boschee, Founder and Executive Director of The
Institute for Social Entrepreneurs (jerr@orbis.ne) which
appeared on the social entrepreneurs’ list serve (npEnterprise@yahoogroups.com).
Alternative
Businesses *
A business initiative resulting from a community development
approach. These businesses are developed and operated
entirely by psychiatric survivor employees. Work schedules
are flexible; supports to sustain employment are available
on site; and mentoring, skills exchange and peer support are
inherent in all business activities. Employees participate
in all decisions affecting the business.
(Ontario Council of
Alternative Businesses, Working for a Change. (2002), p.
56.)
Assets *
The combination of financial, personal, human, social and
physical resources that decrease an individual’s
vulnerability to poverty.
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Community
Economic Development *
The processes whereby members of a community, either
geographical or community of interest, are involved in
activities that will benefit it economically. Community
Economic Development (CED) generally begins at the grass
roots level, and includes notions of control, democracy and
community ownership. CED usually uses inclusive practices
and procedures, to enhance community through action,
knowledge and participation.
(Paraphrased from
Ontario Council of Alternative Businesses, Working for a
Change. (2002), p. 56.)
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Double
bottom line *
The multiple impacts – both financial and social returns on
investment – delivered by social purpose enterprises.
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Earned
income *
Income generated by not-for profit organizations or
charities through the sale of products or services. This
income is to be applied to areas of work that further the
organization’s mission.
Exit Strategy *
The plans that both Funders and organizations receiving
funding for enterprise development make to be able to
separate from each other at some future point.
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Homelessness *
A social condition referring to the people who have no
secure long term home. Decribes people who:
·
Live on the street Stay in
emergency shelters
·
Spend most of their income
on rent or live in overcrowded conditions, and are at risk
of becoming homeless
(http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/homelessness/index.htm)
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“Linking”
Strategies *
These support low-income and marginalized populations to
link to the mainstream economy by providing transitional job
experience and programs that build employability and other
livelihood assets.
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“Parallel”
Strategies *
These support long term employment and community
participation for people with multiple barriers to
employment through the development of a business that can
accommodate their special requirements, over the short or
long term.
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Self-sufficiency *
An organization’s ability to finance its future through
earned income alone, without government or philanthropic
support.
Social
Entrepreneur *
“A non-profit manager with a background in social work,
community development, or business who pursues a vision of
economic empowerment through the creation of social purpose
businesses intended to provide expanded opportunity for
those on the margins.”
(Roberts Foundation,
New Social Entrepreneurs: The Success, Challenge and
Lessons of Non-Profit Enterprise Creation, (September
1996))
Social
Purpose Enterprise *
A revenue generating enterprise founded by non-profit
organizations or charities to create jobs or training
opportunities for very low-income individuals, or to provide
earned income to support the social mission of the
organization.
Social
Return On Investment (SROI) *
The improved quality of life that social purpose enterprise
can bring to those involved in it, such as positive
community changes like reductions in services and social
assistance.
Sustainable
Livelihoods *
“The capabilities, assets and activities required for a
means of living. A livelihood is sustainable when it can
cope with and recover from stresses and shocks, and maintain
or enhance its capabilities and assets both now and in the
future.”
(Chambers & Conway,
1992)
Sustainability *
An organization’s ability to fund its activities through a
combination of earned income, philanthropic support and/or
government support.
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Transition
Strategy *
The processes and interventions used to work with people who
are making a transition from a short-term program towards a
sustainable livelihood.
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Venture
Philanthropy *
“A new approach by grant makers to build the capacity of the
non-profit sector by developing social purpose businesses or
social programs. Key elements include: a long-term
relationship (3–6 years); the development of business plans;
the provision of cash and expertise to augment abilities and
knowledge in specialized technical areas; and an exit
strategy.”
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* These citations were
developed/researched by Anne Jamieson as part of her work
with the Toronto Enterprise Fund
( http://www.torontoenterprisefund.ca/resources-links.html) |
