2025 Trends & Tensions Shaping the Social Purpose World

Why It Matters

The social purpose landscape is in-between worlds, applying new and more band-aids to old problems while simultaneously looking to reinvent itself to be innovative, trustworthy, and relevant in a world that looks nothing like it did just 10 years ago. At the heart of this transformative journey are leaders, and the practice of leading teams is evolving quickly.

Garbage idea? How the University of Victoria teamed with waste pickers in Brazil to build a university

Why It Matters

Empowering global learning goes beyond supporting institutions with funds. This is a prime example of building knowledge across cultures, languages and even continents while helping solve the climate crisis.

‘Banking deserts’ becoming a familiar problem across Canada

Why It Matters

Much like a food desert, a banking desert has a large impact on a community, affecting everything from both personal and small business loans to day-to-day transactions. Advocates say when banks move out of a community, there should be an obligation for them to provide some sort of in-person solution.

2024’s social finance victories and challenges - in quotes and graphs

Why It Matters

The 2025 Canadian social finance sector's challenges include unlocking much more private capital for intentional positive impact, pricing nature services, and growing the purpose economy.