Survey Reveals Significant Impact of Social Enterprises in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside

August 12, 2016

buy socialVancouver Inner City Social Enterprise Survey Results

24 Social Enterprises Generating $14.92 Million in Revenues & Creating over 1,500 Jobs

Buy Social Canada is pleased to share with you some very impressive income and employment statistics on social enterprises located in the Vancouver inner city.

Social enterprises play a significant role in the economic and social well being of DTES and surrounding communities. There are over 40 non-profit market-based social enterprises focused on employment, arts, and Community Economic Development in this geographic area. Beyond that, there are many other non-profits that provide social, health, housing and related services on a performance based contract basis for the government and other funders.  

The information was gathered through an on-line survey of targeted social enterprises in summer 2016 and is presented in aggregate only. The survey respondents are predominantly, but not exclusively, serving the Downtown Eastside community residents.

Social Enterprises focused on Employment, Arts and CED 

Sample size: 24 Social Enterprises
Full time workers: 92
Part time workers: 1,470
Total workers: 1,562
Gross annual revenue: $14.92 million
Total annual sales: $12.14 million
Total annual expenses: $14.32 million

A subset of the total survey group are Social Enterprises that are focused on Employment and / or Training:

Sample size: 11 Social Enterprises
Full time workers: 40
Part time workers: 1,277
Total workers: 1,317
Gross annual revenue: $8.32 million
Total annual sales: $7.76 million
Total annual expenses: $8.12 million

This information is merely a surface view, more research and deeper analysis is definitely needed to assess the economic ripple effect and the social impact of social enterprise in the DTES.

For further information contact:

David LePage
CEO, Buy Social Canada
david at asiccc.ca
778-723-472