Is Social Finance Right for Your Non-profit?

"Is Social Finance Right for Your Non-profit?" with Tristan Smyth from Propel Impact.
March 17 2026 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM Central Time | Online (link with registration)

Social Finance focuses on the use of repayable capital (debt or equity) to support activities that create positive value for people and the planet and a financial return for the organization and its investors.

This workshop will explore the various forms of social finance and the types of projects best suited for it.

Participants will walk away with a better understanding if social finance is right for their organization now or in the future, and how to get started if they have applicable projects. 

Accessibility: Closed Captioning via Zoom will be available at the workshop. Additional accessibility accommodations are available by advanced request by contacting Marlis Funk at  by March 10, 2026.

Cost:

• CCEDNet members -  free 
• Barrier-free* - $0-50
• Non-member organization or individual - $50 (Not a member? Join CCEDNet)

*Barrier-free – This option might be community members who are Indigenous, Black, or People of Colour, people with disabilities, students, people with lived experience of poverty, or low-income earners.

About the Facilitator, Tristan Smyth:

A recognized nonbinary advocate working at the intersection of social finance and community development, Tristan is the Managing Director of Propel Impact, supporting the nonprofit’s youth-focused impact investing programming.

During previous leadership roles, Tristan advised on or directed over $2 billion CAD in economic development activity and, in recognition of their work, was named by Future of Good as one of Canada’s top 21 Young Impact Leaders in 2019 and Forty Under 40 by the Ottawa Business Journal in 2023.

Outside of Propel, they lead a graduate seminar on responsible and impact investing for Carleton University’s School of Public Policy and Administration. Beyond work, Tristan is an advisor to Boann Social Impact and the Common Approach to Impact Measurement, as well as several impact-focused startups. Additionally, they serve on the board of directors for Giyak Mishkawzid Shkagmikwe Corporation (GMS), which is the economic development arm of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek.