Program Components
Created to support nonprofits in understanding, developing and capitalizing on social ventures, the Social Enterprise Cohort offers a comprehensive capacity building program within a peer learning network. The curriculum is designed for Colorado nonprofits, with current information/resources, subject-matter experts, and site visits with existing social enterprises to create a truly comprehensive business development experience.
2018 Program Dates and Sessions
| February 1 & 2 | Orientation, Meet Your Mentor, Social Gathering, and Setting the Stage |
| March 1 & 2 | Assets, Competencies and Social Enterprise Ideas |
| April 5 & 6 | Narrowing Your Social Enterprise Ideas through Feasibility Scans |
| June 7 & 8 | Full Feasibility Study on Your Top Social Enterprise Concept |
| July 12 & 13 | Business Planning Part 1: The Marketing Mix |
| September 6 & 7 | Business Planning Part 2: The Company; Tax/Accounting, Financing/Funding and Legal Issues |
| October 4 & 5 | Business Plan Development and Pitch Practice |
| November 1 | Graduation and Pitch / Presentation Session |
| What You’ll Get | What This Means for Your Nonprofit |
|---|---|
| 10 month program with knowledge, tools and hands-on experience developing a social enterprise from the ground up. | Your nonprofit will see dramatically increased capacity to create, analyze and design new earned income and social enterprise strategies. |
| Engagement in a peer learning setting with other nonprofit social innovators, funders, guest speakers, advisors and business mentors. | You’ll develop a strong and lasting network of support; a true community of colleagues, trusted advisors and potential customers for your new venture. |
| A well-conceived, fully researched, strategically developed business concept and plan. | You can hit the ground running: funding the business, building your customer base and business launch. |
| Access to funders, impact investors and donors. | You’ll have a pipeline to the funding/financing you need to launch and capitalize your venture. |
| A social enterprise that leverages your assets in support of your social mission. | With a successful model and social venture, your nonprofit will realize a source of unrestricted revenue and a business that creates jobs for your clients or community. |