“Donations are down 17% across the country, cost of living has vastly increased, and government funding is shrinking.”
– Kristi Rivait, Director of Partnerships and Programs, Scale Collaborative.
As non-profit organizations across Canada face rising inflation and declining donations, the need for financial resilience has never been greater. To help tackle these challenges, a unique collaboration is empowering organizations to transform their financial futures—thanks to the support of Scale Collaborative and Coast Capital.
Non-profits like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria Capital Region (BBBSVCR) are already experiencing firsthand the transformative impact of Scale Collaborative’s Thriving Non-Profits program, a five-month initiative designed to help organizations build sustainable revenue strategies, refine operational models, and become stronger and more resilient.
Through a scholarship program funded by Coast Capital, non-profit Coast Capital members can participate free of charge—ensuring organizations of all sizes and financial capacities can build a better future.
As Tanya Smith, Senior Manager of Social Purpose Ecosystems at Coast Capital, explains, “This partnership brings Coast Capital’s purpose to life by equipping non-profit leaders with the tools needed to ensure their long-term success and sustainability.”
A partnership focused on non-profit resilience
The collaboration between Scale Collaborative and Coast Capital is a powerful force, working in unison to strengthen the non-profit sector. This success is best told through the voice of non-profit participants.
“The Thriving Non-profits program came at just the right time,” shares Annie Taal, BBBSVCR’s Social Enterprise Business Manager.
As a Coast Capital member, BBBSVCR learned about the program through Coast Capital’s scholarship, which made participation possible. “We wouldn’t have been able to access this program otherwise,” Annie says. “Not only was it quick and easy to apply, it’s also a great benefit—specially for non-profits operating with tight budgets.”
As BBBSVCR entered a period of strategic planning, it was looking to explore new revenue opportunities.
“We were in a time of change, like many non-profits are right now. The Thriving Non-profits program gave us fresh perspectives to refine and grow,” continues Annie. BBBSVCR, known for its support of youth, has long worked to generate revenue by collecting and reselling donated goods to Value Village in order to fund their programs. But when inflation and operational costs began to affect their program’s sustainability, they knew they needed a fresh perspective. The Thriving Non-Profits program offered just that.
“The program taught us to think differently about revenue and risk, focusing on what we were already doing well, and building upon it for greater impact,” says Annie. Thanks to the insights gained from the program, BBBSVCR renewed their contract with Value Village and boosted their community engagement efforts—resulting in an increase in profits and a stronger social enterprise operation.
“We took the program this year and have already seen an increase in revenue and are on track to grow our social enterprise by 10% this year!” adds Annie.
Real results: scaling impact across the sector
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria Capital Region isn’t alone in experiencing growth and newfound confidence through the Thriving Non-Profits program. Organizations from various sectors are reporting impressive outcomes:
- A 73% boost in confidence regarding their financial future.
- 95% of participants are better equipped to diversify their revenue streams.
- 100% of participants felt they benefited significantly from the program.
“I wish every non-profit in the country had access to this magnificent program,” says one participant. “It completely changed how we think about revenue generation, and we are bursting with ideas for increasing sustainability.”
Why it matters
Kristi Rivait, Director of Partnerships and Programs at Scale Collaborative, acknowledges the urgency non-profits face: “This has been a difficult few years for non-profits. Donations are down 17% across the country, the costs of goods and services have vastly increased, and government funding is shrinking. At the same time, 1 in 5 Canadians are using charitable services to meet essential needs. The Thriving Non-Profits program is critical for helping non-profits build resilience to weather the storm while planning for the future.”
In a climate where non-profits are often underfunded and stretched thin, the partnership between Scale Collaborative and Coast Capital is a beacon of hope.
Join the Thriving Non-Profits movement
The good news? Non-profits across Canada can add their name to be notified when future cohort applications open. Individuals who work in the non-profit sector can take the self-paced version of the program at any time —at no cost—through Coast Capital’s scholarship. This opportunity is open to all Coast Capital non-profit members, offering a rare chance to access a program that has already shown immense success.
“Thanks to the support from Coast Capital, we’ve been able to transform the way we think about our future. I encourage every non-profit to apply and see what this program can do for you,” says Annie of BBBSVCR.
Ready to take the next step in securing your organization’s financial future? Register today to be notified when an upcoming cohort application opens for the Thriving Non-Profits program. Simply indicate that you’re a Coast Capital member to access your scholarship.
Together, Scale Collaborative and Coast Capital are building a resilient non-profit sector—one success story at a time.
