In June, Innovate Calgary’s Social Innovation Hub hosted a “Non-Profit Listening Session.”
The roundtable-style event brought together nonprofit leaders from across Alberta to surface challenges, share experiences, and explore new ways to strengthen the nonprofit ecosystem.
The session affirmed that “nonprofits are under constant pressure to do more with less,” according to Innovate Calgary.
This concern expressed at the event inspired Innovate Calgary to launch the Mission to Market Hackathon 2.0 this fall, the organization announced recently.
Described as a “tool” more than an “event,” the Hackathon is designed through direct input from nonprofits and is tailored to help them explore and test financial models.
Alongside a team of up to four students, as well as mentors and ecosystem partners, local nonprofits will navigate what it takes to enterprise and build sustainable business models with “hands-on support.”
During the Hackathon, nonprofits will develop a sustainable business model that can generate revenue; validate the concept with market research and strategic insights; and compete for a $15,000 financial award to help implement the solution, according to Innovate Calgary.
Applications for the Mission to Market Hackathon 2.0 are now open to nonprofit organizations based in Calgary. Students can also apply to help nonprofits during the hackathon and receive $650 for 30 hours of collaborative work.
Applications close August 15th.
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