The B Corp Handbook shows how using business as a force for good result in benefits for all. Through interviews, tips, and best practices from over 100 B Corporations this book shows how a business can attract an retain the best talent, differenent themselves and increase the overall image of their brand.

"This free assessment walks you through a series of questions to help you learn what it takes to build a better business - better for your workers, community, and the environment." It takes 30 minutes to get a quick assesments and 2 to 3 hours for a full impact report.

This is a thorough, step by step guide designed for those looking to start up a social enterprise in New Brunswick. This section defines SROI, how to evaluate, calculate and use the results of SROI.

This guide attempts to answer important questions, including; How can you tell if your group is ready to embark on a social enterprise? What are the steps in a social enterprise planning process? How do you identify and assess enterprise opportunities? How do you plan for a social enterprise? How can you measure social returns in a business setting? What do you need to know about the legal context? The guide is directed at project managers, executive directors, directors, and staffs of a wide range of organizations that are starting to develop or think about creating a new enterprise or expanding/formalizing their existing revenue-generating programs. It will also be useful for students, corporate social responsibility businesses, government, industry, and funders. Chapter six discusses why measuring performance is important, how to measure performance, and tools for performance measurement.

"Nova Scotia’s co-operative sector has a rich history going back to the 1860s but detailed knowledge of the role of the sector in the economy is limited. In this paper, we estimate the economic impact of co-operatives and credit unions, including GDP, income, employment, and taxes using the input-output economic model. This analysis will provide the direct, indirect and induced economic impacts of co-operative enterprises operating in Nova Scotia using data from 2011. We also examined the separate impact of co-ops in urban versus rural regions. This paper will demonstrate the significant contribution that co-operative enterprises make in both rural and urban communities across Nova Scotia."

A variety of articles and research studies on impacts of the social entrepreneurship conducted by SCP. A focus on profitability, training, and employment.

"The Nova Scotia Department of Business was mandated to facilitate social enterprise growth. To advance this agenda, the department collaborated with the Social Enterprise Network of Nova Scotia to determine how government and the sector could best respond to the needs of social enterprises in Nova Scotia, which is outlined in this report."

This report takes the Social Enterprise Network of Nova Scotia's definition of Social Enterprise as "a business operated for the purpose of addressing social, cultural, environmental or economic challenges, [in which] the majority of profits or surpluses are reinvested to support that purpose. " A series of strategies for the growth and economic success of social enterprises in Nova Scotia (as well as the overall benefit to the province) are identified.

"A questionnaire that quickly assesses — and gives you — the overall health of your business from five different perspectives: purpose, social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. This is broader and so more comprehensive than typical financial assessments." Cost: Free, but you have to make an account. English.

"The main specific feature of the ICSEM Project is its geographic coverage: it aims to compare social enterprise models and their respective institutionalisation processes across the world." The research has 3 phases: 1) national research conducted by partners around the world; 2) An international database of SEs and; 3) Comparative international analysis of SEs. The research seems to be funded until the end of this year, ie, the third phase is set to end Dec 2017. Working papers on each national study is available on the website - Atlantic Canada specific research papers have also been published.

A brief and accessible breakdown of social enterprise success and growth in Ontario. While Ontario-specific, strategies for SE success may be sourced from following instances of advancing businesses in Ontario.

Working academic research papers from around the world discussing different national contexts of SEs. Provides a look into the different factors (legal, institutional, conceptual) affecting SEs around the world. Shows that SEs are a truly global phenomenon and the depth and breadth of the influence of SEs around the world.

Carleton University's Centre for Community Innovation has developed a primer to guide individuals through the process of measuring and valuing their social outcomes both qualitatively and quantitatively. (English)

This report assessed the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Community-Based Business Development sub-program to support the future direction of the program. This program focuses on activities to imporve access to capital and other supports needs to strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises in rural communities throughout Atlantic Canada. (English)

"SEE Change Magazine is Canada’s first publication for and about social enterprise and entrepreneurship. Much like other entrepreneurial endeavours, it was created in response to a need – the need to spread the word about an important business movement that has the capacity to change the way we live and engage with our communities. Our mission is to inform, educate, and inspire social entrepreneurs and anyone who wants to see change in our world. Our vision is for social enterprise to become an accepted standard for business practice in our society, and for all people to benefit from the work they participate in, and the products and services they purchase."

"A grassroots initiative, Demonstrating Value is designed to assist those working in community - social enterprises, non-profit and public programs, social ventures, community investors, - to track and express their success. Originally built around the specific needs of social enterprise, Demonstrating Value's tools, resources and research is relevant to anyone interested in social change and innovation." Originally meant to research and demonstrate social value in Vancouver, BC-based social enterprises, the research involved is applicable nation-wide.

"In an effort to shine a light on the new narrative emerging throughout the province, Engage has been using our time on the road meeting with municipalities to find and record interviews with Nova Scotians who are stepping up and taking responsibility for changes they want to see in their communities. This series of podcasts focuses on the stories of community leaders, first-hand accounts of their experience partnering with levels of government, mobilizing citizens, bringing dreams and innovative approaches to community development to fruition through mobilizing volunteers, raising capital and working together."

A series sharing stories of social enterprise in Nova Scotia and beyond.

"The purpose of the Social Enterprise Sector Survey project is to support the development of the social enterprise sector in Canada by conducting surveys that highlight the size, scope and impact of social enterprises at a provincial level."

"The Atlantic Council for Community and Social Enterprise (ACCSE), in partnership with the HUB Halifax and Cape Breton University, and funded by the Government of Nova Scotia, undertook an inventory and survey of social enterprises in Nova Scotia beginning in June 2011. The purpose of this research project is to determine the size, scope and impact of social enterprises in Nova Scotia and thus inform policy on supporting this sector."

A list of provincial and territorial surveys reports from surveys completed between 2010 to 2016 with contact information for the most current contact person in each province and territory.

A variety of working papers that are a result of SESS sponsored research events and are connected to the SESS Research Project. These papers explore social enterprise across the country.

"Part of the problem seems to be that nobody these days is content to merely put their dent in the universe. No, they have to fucking own the universe. It’s not enough to be in the market, they have to dominate it. It’s not enough to serve customers, they have to capture them." What if there was a different way? A powerful polemic for an alternative to the unicorn startup culture that pervades today's market. Worth a read for anyone already on the bandwagon of social enterprise, or anyone who needs a little more convincing.

A free online Resource Center signposting current information about social impact and social value worldwide.

The Guide to SROI provides a clear framework for anyone interested in measuring, managing and accounting for social value or social impact.

A selection of examples of the work done by the Social Value Lab to assist their clients and partners in striving to bring about social change.

"This document provides individual case studies based on a common template. These SFIFs (Social Finance Investment Funds) represent a small but diverse component of the broader SFIF universe in Canada. The objective was to create a source of SFIF models that can be accessed by social financiers, developing and existing SFIFs, community and private foundations, financial co-operatives, other community-based organizations, and all levels of government. Implicit in this undertaking was the desire to understand some of the lessons that have been learned by these SFIFs as they have formed, raised capital, and deployed capital."