The real story behind building a social enterprise

​Discover the real story behind building a social enterprise in rural Newfoundland and Labrador. This presentation takes you inside the journey of Mi'kmaw Cultural Foundation as it works to establish a community hub and childcare centre. Projects driven by community need, but challenged by funding gaps, regulatory delays, and systemic barriers.

​Learn how limited access to capital, project-based nonprofit funding, and institutional misalignment impact grassroots initiatives, and why persistence is often the deciding factor. This is not a theoretical discussion, it’s a candid look at what it actually takes to turn vision into reality in underserved communities.

​Ideal for students, policymakers, and anyone interested in social innovation, this talk offers both insight and challenge: what needs to change to truly support community-led development?