SEED Winnipeg Inc. - Supporting Employment & Economic Development

SEED fulfills its mission by delivering programs and services that help low income individuals, groups and organizations start businesses and save money for future goals. SEED also conducts Community Education Development (CED) related research and consults with other CED organizations and community groups at the local, regional and national levels in an effort to expand the adoption of CED methods as the normative approach to economic development in Canada.

Summary

SEED programs are designed to assist in the start-up or expansion of sole proprietorships, partnerships co-operatives and social enterprises.  Business consulting and training, access to financing, and resource referrals are some of the services offered to business clients. SEED also provides expanded opportunities for marginalized individuals and communities to acquire economic assets towards home ownership, education, and business start-up or expansion.  These opportunities include expanded cash savings, financial management skills, and personal savings matched by other sources.
 

Programming Areas:

SEED Winnipeg Inc. provides programming in the following six areas:

1. Build a Business Program (BAB):

   Free and fee-for-service business development and expansion services including training, business planning, access to financing, consulting, after-care support and referrals to other services. A division of the BAB program is the Youth Business Development Program in which participants are eligible for a living allowance and are given an opportunity to build assets through our Saving Circle Program.

2. Asset Building Programs (ABP):

   The Individual Development Account (IDA) Program and Saving Circle Programs are matched savings programs that can support low-income individuals to invest in business or self employment related assets.  These programs are free of charge  and combine money management training, matched savings accounts   and individualized support.  Participants in these matched savings programs earn a credit of $3 for every $1 they save. Participants in IDA programs save for designated assets such as home ownership, renovations, business capitalization, and education.  Saving Circle program participants can save for self-employment related assets as well as other assets that will improve the quality of their lives, such as furniture, disability supports and medical needs.

3. Community and Worker Ownership Program (CWOP):

   CWOP provides assistance to groups of three or more people who are interested in starting or expanding a cooperative, community owned business or social enterprise to create quality jobs for primarily low-income individuals.  Free and fee-for-service assistance is provided in the following areas:  assessing group or organizational skills and resources;  determining governance structures, developing business plans and assessing business viability; accessing loan and equity financing; provision of business management and professional development workshops; and ongoing financial review and strategic planning services for up to two years.

4. Aboriginal Community Collaborations (ACC):

   ACC connects with Aboriginal organizations to collaborate on creating community economic development programs that are available to the Aboriginal community; including business development and asset building initiatives.  ACC, in consultation with Aboriginal community members, business people, and business service providers offers the Aboriginal Build a Business Program. This program has some Aboriginal-specific enhancements, and offers other Build a Business services.

5. Research and Development:

   SEED develops pilot programs and conducts research related to improving or expanding presently offered services and/or addressing issues related to community economic development in marginalized communities.

6. Registered Education Savings Plans and Money Management Training (RESP and MMT) 

Helps families access the grants available for children’s post secondary education through Registered Education Savings Plans. This includes the Canada Learning Bond, which is available to lower income families with young children and can be worth up to $2000 of “free money”. We offer workshops, individual support, and help participants obtain the ID required to open an RESP for their child.

Money Management Training – would you like to know more about budgeting, banking and credit? These workshops are an opportunity to build on what you know and improve your money management skills.

Manitoba Contact(s):
SEED Winnipeg Inc.
80 Salter Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba  R2W 4J6
Telephone: 204-927-9935
Fax: 204-927-9930
E-mail: info@seedwinnipeg.ca
Web site: http://www.seedwinnipeg.ca/