While the social impact world makes big commitments to solving some of the world’s most pressing problems, the complexity and scale of those problems mean the sector simply cannot do it alone. Leaders with experience in the corporate world, government, and other sectors can help build bridges and get things done.
Anti-Asian hate is happening in Canada, too — in both blatant and subtle ways. The Vancouver Police Board, for instance, reported a 717 percent increase in reported anti-Asian hate crimes this year. Social impact organizations are well positioned as leaders in their communities — both in dollars and in influence — to stop anti-Asian hate.
The social impact workforce is overwhelmingly white — for instance, StatsCan recently found that only 11 percent of charity board members are visible minorities. Meanwhile, the issues these organizations work on disproportionately impact racialized communities. The result? White saviourism — and in many cases, more harm than good.
In the next decade, nearly three quarters of Canadian small business owners will retire – businesses worth over $1.5 trillion. Most will look to sell. In a country where the gap between the rich and poor is widening, and could do so exponentially in the pandemic’s aftermath, experts say this transition provides a huge opportunity to share wealth with workers.
Rapid changes to all work and workforces — including in the social impact world — are underway. To adapt and thrive, organizations need to foster an employee culture that encourages constant learning.
