Navigating the complexities of social enterprise acquisition can be daunting. Our course breaks it down into clear, manageable steps. With expert guidance, practical tools, and real-world examples, you'll gain the confidence and skills needed to successfully acquire and transform a business.
Innovative Revenue Diversification: Learn how to acquire a business that generates steady, unrestricted revenue to support your programs, team, and mission.
Immediate and Sustainable Impact: Acquiring an established business can generate immediate revenue while aligning with your nonprofit’s mission for long-term stability and growth.
Expert Insights and Support: Learn from nonprofit sector experts and connect with a like-minded community of peers.
TRY THE FIRST MODULE FOR FREE
Wondering if acquiring a social enterprise is right for your nonprofit? Access this free module to see if this innovative approach fits your organization’s needs before committing to the full course. Sign up now to explore the first module for free and see how social enterprise acquisition can transform your nonprofit’s fundraising strategy.
This self-paced course provides flexible, comprehensive learning with seven online modules, including video lessons, interactive exercises, and downloadable resources. Learning Lab participants also get 3-months of FREE access to the Thriving Non-Profits Community and a 15% discount on coaching to help implement course strategies.
COURSE WORKBOOK
Each learner receives an in-depth workbook that accompanies the course. This workbook guides you through the six steps of acquiring a business, providing practical exercises, detailed checklists, and real-world case studies.
This course is perfect for nonprofit leaders, managers, board members, and funders who are looking to explore innovative fundraising approaches and diversify their revenue streams through social enterprise.
GOT QUESTIONS?
Have questions about this course? Our FAQ section addresses a few of the key things you might need to know.
Social enterprise is a versatile strategy that nonprofits can use to bring in new unrestricted revenue to support their programs, teams, and missions. Social enterprise acquisition can be adapted to various nonprofit missions and sizes.
Take the free introductory module to learn more about whether social enterprise is the right strategy for your organization.
The course is designed to be flexible and manageable for busy nonprofit leaders. With self-paced modules, you can learn at your own speed and fit the coursework around your existing commitments.
Most participants complete the course in about 12-14 hours.
The course includes comprehensive learning on financing options and building the right financial mix for business acquisition for nonprofits, from traditional debt to more innovative funding options.
You'll learn how to secure the necessary capital required to make social enterprise acquisition feasible for your organization.
Enrolling in the course grants you three months of FREE access to the Thriving Non-Profits Community. This community offers ongoing support from peers, program coaches, and industry experts.
You'll have a wealth of resources and assistance at your fingertips to help you succeed.
Yes! All learners who complete the course in full receive a numbered certificate of completion from the Thriving Non-Profits Learning Lab.
Full access to the course content is provided for a period of 12 months from the date of enrollment. Access to the Thriving Non-Profits Community is also included with the purchase of this course.
Program content is currently available in a mixture of English and French. Text lessons, worksheets, and case studies are currently offered in English. English captions and French subtitles are offered for all video content.
We are confident in the value this course provides, but if you are not satisfied, we offer a 7-day money-back guarantee.
Please refer to our refund policy within our Terms of Use for more details.
The research, pilot, open-sourced tools, and resources that form the base of this course were funded by the Island Coastal Economic Trust, Vancouver Foundation, and the Rural Opportunities Fund, and undertaken and developed by Scale Institute and Royal Roads University. The original research and associated resources are available on the Scale Institute website.
The adaptation and expansion of that material into this online course was developed by Scale Collaborative and generously supported by Vancity Credit Union.
We respectfully acknowledge that the offices of Scale Collaborative are located on the unceded, ancestral, and traditional territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən-speaking peoples, and the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations who have historical relationships with the land that continue to this day.
In this module, you'll explore how business acquisition can serve as a social enterprise strategy to support your nonprofit’s mission. You’ll gain an understanding of social enterprise models and learn how to assess your organization’s readiness for acquiring an existing business.
Key learnings include reflecting on both startup and acquisition options, understanding the six steps of the acquisition process, and determining whether this strategy aligns with your goals.
In this module, you’ll focus on creating a comprehensive acquisition plan for your social enterprise. You’ll clarify your organization’s motivations for pursuing an acquisition, ensuring alignment with your mission and values. The module covers risk assessment and mitigation strategies, helping you establish a decision-making framework and identify key roles.
By the end of this module, you’ll have built an acquisition roadmap tailored to your organization’s strengths and challenges, ensuring readiness for the next phase of the acquisition process.
In this module, you’ll learn how to effectively search for the right business to acquire as a social enterprise. You'll explore key considerations such as strategic alignment, business model viability, management capacity, and community engagement potential.
By the end of this module, you’ll be equipped with the tools to compare acquisition opportunities and identify the best fit for your nonprofit’s mission.
In this module, you'll dive deep into the assessment phase of social enterprise acquisition. You’ll learn how to conduct thorough due diligence on potential businesses, including financial health, market position, customer base, and operational risks.
By the end of this module, you will have the tools to evaluate whether a business is a viable and strategic fit for your nonprofit, ensuring your acquisition supports long-term sustainability.
In this module, you’ll focus on the key steps involved in making an offer and financing your social enterprise acquisition. You’ll explore various purchase options, learn how to craft a competitive offer, and understand the legal and governance considerations for nonprofits.
By the end, you’ll be equipped with knowledge of the different financing options available, and how to build the right financial mix to support your acquisition.
In this module, you’ll focus on how to smoothly transition the business you’ve acquired into a fully operational social enterprise. You’ll explore change management strategies, staff training, and establishing the necessary oversight systems.
By the end of this module, you’ll have a comprehensive plan for re-launching the business under your nonprofit’s umbrella, ensuring the transition is seamless and aligned with your mission.
In this final module, you’ll focus on how to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of your social enterprise. You'll learn strategies for growing the business, managing operational challenges, and continuously aligning the enterprise with your nonprofit’s mission.
By the end of this module, you will have a clear plan for measuring impact, expanding market reach, and maintaining the financial health of your social enterprise.
