1st on the List Helps Launch Canada’s First FREE Social Enterprise Directory
As a longtime supporter of worthy community projects, and with a specific interest in social enterprise, 1st on the List was approached by the BC Centre for Social Enterprise for help in building out an online national social enterprise directory.
The Centre was keen to develop a free directory that would feature listings of Canadian social enterprises. For the purposes of the project, ‘social enterprise’ is defined as a Canadian venture selling a good or a service, operated by a community-based organization, and featuring a bottom line beyond profit generation.
The vision was of a directory with listings that could be updated easily by the social enterprises themselves. Folks wishing to purchase from these businesses could search by location, good or service, and social cause.
The project had been completely volunteer driven since 2019, but the Centre had run into technological challenges after attempts to enlist students to help.
Explains the Centre’s Executive Director, Stacey Corriveau, ‘We had a clear vision for the Canadian Social Enterprise Directory, but ran up against capacity challenges when it came to building the website itself. 1st on the List’s leadership catapulted the project to the finish line within an intense 6-month period. We are proud of the professionalism of the result and look forward to populating this user-friendly website with Canadian social enterprises.’
“1st on the List’s leadership catapulted the project to the finish line within an intense 6-month period…”
– Stacey Corriveau
Once the project was complete, we tutored the Centre on the back-end maintenance of the site, and provided a recorded ‘how to’ video for reference. 1st on the List remains actively involved, responding to questions and requests for enhancements as the Directory is rolled out.
Bringing the Canadian Social Enterprise Directory to life is an expression of our commitment to supporting the development of social enterprise in Canada and beyond. The support was provided to the BC Centre for Social Enterprise on a pro bono basis.
