Ecoforests Canada

CommunityLend

CommunityLend is an online lending system where people can borrow money directly from private investors who are both individuals and institutions, in a safe, structured and secure way. This lending service is new and unique to Canada and is called Peer-to-Peer lending.

Social Asset Measurements

In the last decade, investors and grantors have placed increasing emphasis on social impact reporting when deciding where to put funds. This has led to methods such Social Return on Investment and Social Impact Assessment. However, all of these techniques are focused on providing investors with information on what organizations are effective investments. This leaves social organizations ‘flying blind’ when making strategic decisions about resource allocation. SAM provides clear data on social and financial cost and benefit, so that every dollar and every person can be used to their maximum potential.

Ottawa Community Loan Fund

The Ottawa Community Loan Fund (OCLF) provides short-term loans of up to $15,000 to small business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, talented individuals in job specific training (including internationally trained workers), and community groups involved in social enterprise development. Since 2000, the OCLF has provided a unique financing option in the Ottawa area for people with the determination to make a difference in their own lives and in their community. By focusing on the social finance needs in our community, OCLF contributes to the wider prosperity of the Ottawa area. The OCLF has been in the forefront of micro-credit and community economic development in Ottawa since its inception. Clients come to the OCLF because they lack the income, assets, security, or credit history to obtain loans and financing from other sources. Its borrowers are individuals, businesses, and groups with good ideas, experience, and the energy to go after them.