Toronto Enterprise Fund
The Toronto Enterprise Fund is a unique partnership between government, foundations and United Way Toronto that supports the development of social purpose enterprises working with the homeless and low-income people. The enterprises provide people with employment opportunities, work experience, additional income, improved life skills, and better connections to the community and the labour force. As a result, the enterprises are successful in helping to reduce poverty, preventing and reducing homelessness, and building a more inclusive community.
The Toronto Enterprise Fund has supported 24 business ventures, with almost 1,750 participants. Almost half of those found permanent jobs, started a business or returned to school.
The program is a unique funding partnership between United Way Toronto and the three levels of government; the City of Toronto, the Ministry of Community and Social Services: Ontario Disability Support Program and the Homelessness Partnerships Initiative, a program funded by Human Resources & Social Development Canada, and administered by the City of Toronto.
For more information, visit torontoenterprisefund.ca or email info@torontoenterprisefund.ca.
Putting a new spin on career training
“It provides us with the opportunity to do something positive in the community, to get recognized and to get paid.”
- Deejay business creates training and employment opportunities for former foster care kids.
“I dream of a future that could exist.”
Poetic in their simplicity, these words speak volumes about hope—about daring to hope—and the sheer possibility of a better life. They are the words of a young person who works at the Phoenix Print Shop, a social purpose enterprise funded by the Toronto Enterprise Fund.
- These social purpose enterprises offer a highly focused opportunity for some of Toronto’s most vulnerable young people.
