here - Tamarack CCI

Executive Summary
This resource has been written primarily for non-profit organizations and multisectoral
collaborations who are working to improve their communities’ capacity to bring about social
change. Its purpose is to identify how collaborating with business can enhance social change
outcomes, provide some tips on meeting the challenges that such collaboration creates, offer
inspiring stories about contributions businesses have made (and are still making) toward the
achievement of social change initiatives, and supply some practical tools for planning the
engagement with the business sector.
There are many interconnected reasons why adverse social conditions like poverty, crime, or
environmental degradation exist. Rarely can any of those conditions be changed by altering one
single variable. When we accept that interlocking problems require interlocking solutions, we
soon recognize that these solutions require multisectoral collaboration. They will require many
stakeholders to collaborate to bring about the social transformation that is desired. 1
The business sector has much to contribute to a social change initiative. Businesses can provide
financial support; expertise (in areas such as legal, financial or human relations); meeting room,
training or storage space; assistance in advocating positions to various stakeholders; employment
opportunities; and access to networks of other business people. Businesses can also be involved
in customizing products or services to meet the needs of marginalized people, purchasing goods
and services from social enterprises that align with their goals, or altering their own practices to
reduce their contribution to the negative social conditions.
Non-profits who want to solicit business support should note that businesses have much to gain
by becoming involved. This resource provides examples of how involvement in a social change
initiative may provide new market opportunities for business, or an opportunity to reduce its
costs. The resource also provides evidence that collaboration can improve a business’ ability to
recruit or retain employees, and to strengthen its supplier base. Often a business will engage in
your initiative because of the benefits to its corporate image, because of pressure from
shareholders, or because it is a way to reduce the risk of regulation. Business may engage to help
stabilize the community in which it operates, or simply because it is “the right thing to do.”
Surveys show that businesses value relationships with non-profit organizations. Non-profits can
provide specialized information and connections to communities. They have the trust of
communities. They can serve as conduits for public or foundation funding, provide new
channels for marketing, and help aggregate demand for specialized products.
Collaborating with Business for Social Transformation
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