Workshop covers generating new funds for non-profits

South Coast non-profit organizations will have the opportunity to attend a free workshop on how to successfully start and sustain a social enterprise.

The workshop is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 4 and 5 in North Bend. Space is limited, and those interested can reserve seats by calling the Southwestern Business Development Center at 756-6778.

Defined as an income-generating venture with a social purpose and mission, a social enterprise can play a crucial part in the financial stability of a wide variety of non-profit organizations, businesses and government agencies. Mickey Beach, program director of Heartwood Resources, and Tracy Cleverdon, Umpqua Community Development Corporation MEDAL program manager, will discuss how to identify potential business ideas and separate good ideas from bad; how to determine if an organization could succeed in starting a social enterprise; how to evaluate the benefits and analyze the challenges; and how to locate potential resources to start a social enterprise.

The workshop is sponsored by the Umpqua Community Development Corporation in cooperation with the Southwestern Business Development Center. The training is funded with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and is made possible through cooperation with Connecting Oregon for Rural Entrepreneurship.

Press Release Date: May 18, 2007