The EDGE Philanthropitch aims to empower social enterprises in the GTA

Sheridan College’s campus hub for entrepreneurship – the Entrepreneurship Discovery and Growth Engine (EDGE) - and the Oakville Community Foundation (The Foundation) are collaborating on an initiative that puts the spotlight on social enterprises in the Greater Toronto Area.

The inaugural EDGE Philanthropitch is now open for applications from current Sheridan students and alumni as well as participants in EDGE’s Leap, Soar or Co-op on the EDGE programs. Applicants must have a leadership role in the idea or enterprise they’re pitching, and its focus must be on achieving social or environmental impact goals.

“EDGE was created to help support those whose entrepreneurial ventures aim to make a positive social impact in society,” says Renee Devereaux, EDGE’s Director of Entrepreneurship and Changemaking. “This initiative will help showcase these entrepreneurs across the GTA by offering them a forum to share their ideas, network with industry leaders and connect to EDGE’s resources. We can’t wait to see what comes forward from members of our community.”

Dedicated to building community through philanthropy, The Foundation is currently celebrating its 25th year and is committed to helping those in Oakville improve the quality of life for each and every person. The Foundation is now the largest charitable asset in the Town of Oakville. “The EDGE Philanthropitch is a fantastic opportunity for us to combine efforts with Sheridan, pool our resources, knowledge and expertise, to make a lasting impact,” says Wendy Rinella, Chief Executive Officer, Oakville Community Foundation. “By investing in an individual with a promising social enterprise, we believe we’ll see the positive ripple effects on many members of our communities.”

In late August 2019, the top eight most promising social enterprises, as determined by a panel of judges, will be announced as the finalists for an EDGE Philanthropitch evening event. On October 3, 2019, the eight people selected will take the stage at Sheridan’s Trafalgar Campus in Oakville to pitch their ventures to the judging panel and a live audience. Monetary prizes totalling $25,000 will be presented to four ventures, courtesy of a grant provided to Sheridan College from the Oakville Community Foundation.

Applications are due online by midnight on July 31, 2019. Sign up for email updates via Eventbrite to be notified when registration opens for the evening pitch event.

Media contacts:

Sheridan College: Brittany Tapper, Marketing and Events Coordinator, EDGE, brittany.tapper@sheridancollege.ca, 905-845-9430 ext. 8291

The Oakville Community Foundation: Sarah McPherson, Director, Philanthropy and Communications, sarah@theocf.org, 905-844-3562 ext. 302

About EDGE:

EDGE is the place where entrepreneurship and innovation thrive at Sheridan and our communities. If you want to learn how to develop a business or social enterprise idea, EDGE has the workspace, mentorship, training and community to get you started.

About the Oakville Community Foundation:

The Oakville Community Foundation is a registered charity in its 25^th year of Building Community Through Philanthropy. The Foundation has distributed $40 million to charities since 1994 and has stewarded over $100 million in charitable assets. We welcome families, businesses and residents into our community and give everyone the opportunity to be a philanthropist.