CALGARY –In an effort to promote the stories of amazing Canadian social enterprises, a case study for Women in Need Society (WINS) is now available to the general public, and as a valuable resource for institutions and organizations that require knowledge in social entrepreneurship and social innovation.

“We are excited to announce that the WINS case study is the first of its kind to have three local post-secondary institutions collaborate on a case study,” says Executive Director, Trico Charitable Foundation, Daniel Overall.

It was the result of collaborative research conducted by professionals from the Chiu School of Business at Bow Valley College, Mount Royal University and the University of Calgary.”

WINS received Trico Charitable Foundation’s Social EnterPrize award in 2015, which celebrates Canadian organizations demonstrating best practices, impact and innovation in social enterprise. Recipients receive prize money, a video profile, and an in-depth profile in a case-study undertaken by a Canadian post-secondary institution.

Since its inception in 1992, the goal of WINS has been to create a safe space for women and their families, who are facing challenges, to get the support they need while creating avenues for self-sufficiency.

WINS has evolved from its humble beginnings 25 years ago, into a strong, nonprofit community partner which now has four retail stores, more than 50 employees, and has generated over $4M in revenue.

The case study demonstrates how this success is the direct result of WINS partnership with a community of 1,000 donors, over 500 volunteers and the thousands of loyal customers who shop in their retails stores, making a positive impact on hundreds of families across Calgary.

“WINS is a great example of how Calgary has become a social enterprise hub in Canada,” says Natascha Doiron, program coordinator, Chiu School of Business. “This case study is truly an inspiration for future social entrepreneurs.”

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Editor’s Notes:
Download the case at http://bvc.me/WINS_CaseStudy.   

For more information on research at Bow Valley College, please visit: http://bvc.me/bvcresearch.

For more information on the Trico Charitable Foundation, please visit: tricofoundation.ca.

For more information, please contact:    

Leigh MacKenzie
Senior Communication Specialist
Bow Valley College
Office: 587-393-2628
Mobile: 403-888-6946
lmackenzie@bowvalleycollege.ca

About Bow Valley College
Bow Valley College - Calgary and region's only Comprehensive Community College - with more than 15,000 full- and part-time students, is a leader in business and health career training, community studies, creative technologies, adult upgrading, and English Language Learning.

About Trico Charitable Foundation
Established in 2008, the Trico Charitable Foundation seeks to close gaps in society by provoking innovation and building capacity in social entrepreneurship. Its work focuses on the Canadian context through four key areas of focus: 1) local capacity building tools and funding for non-profit social enterprises in Alberta, Canada; 2) a biennial Social EnterPrize which celebrates mature Canadian social enterprises (for profit and not-for profit) and commissions case studies on the recipients; 3) The World of Social Entrepreneurship, an annual Calgary event in partnership with the local community that brings some of the best and brightest examples of social entrepreneurship from around the world to Calgary; and 4) working with the JW McConnell Family Foundation on RECODE, an effort to nurture social innovation and social entrepreneurship in Canada’s post-secondary institutions.