Impact Toolbox is thrilled to announce our collaboration with Community Futures East Kootenay (CFEK) to co-lead the Innovate for Impact project, a 2-year initiative designed to advance social entrepreneurship in the Kootenays. Together, CFEK and Impact Toolbox will support purpose-driven innovators with the tools, training, and community needed to build impactful, sustainable social enterprises.
How We’re Supporting Purpose-Driven Innovators in the Kootenays
We provide support to individuals and organizations launching or growing social enterprises by meeting them where they are, and grounding everything in the realities of rural British Columbia.
- Cohort-based incubation for early-stage and emerging entrepreneurs
- Bi-monthly workshops open to anyone exploring social enterprises
- A regional community of practice to foster peer learning and shared momentum
- Student consulting and youth programs offering real-world support to social entrepreneurs and employment opportunities for local post-secondary students
Innovate for Impact Highlights
Youth Program | January 2026
More than 200 high school students will dive into social entrepreneurship through a flexible online program, gaining mentorship, designing impactful projects to address local challenges, and showcasing top initiatives. This program offers an exciting opportunity to back youth leadership, community innovation, and the long-term resilience of rural Kootenay communities.
Become a youth mentor ↴
Workshops | November 2025 & January 2026 + more!
Innovate for Impact will feature a range of community-focused workshops over the next two years. We want to hear from you about the topics you’re interested in learning about, such as social entrepreneurship basics, measuring social impact, and navigating legal and tax considerations. The kickoff workshop will take place on November 12th and will focus on the benefits of social enterprises for rural communities!
Attend our first workshop ↴
Date: 12pm PT / 1pm MT on Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Annual Social Impact Summit | Spring 2026 & Spring 2027
The Social Impact Summits will be vibrant, high-profile gatherings where we’ll celebrate outcomes, spotlight inspiring innovators, and showcase the bold local solutions that are transforming our region.
Regional Hackathon | Spring 2026
Our Social Enterprise Hackathon will be an electrifying event, bringing together passionate participants across four Kootenay hubs. Together, they’ll co-create actionable community-based solutions, offering a dynamic, high-visibility platform for our partners and regional stakeholders to engage and inspire.
Get Involved, Be Part of the Impact
CFEK and Impact Toolbox are building something powerful across the Kootenay region, and there’s a place for YOU in it.
Want to become a youth mentor? Help shape the future!
We’re seeking engaged teachers, youth program leaders, and passionate community members to make a lasting impact and inspire the next generation. This is a chance to guide, mentor, and empower the youth of tomorrow while also receiving a $500 stipend in recognition of your time and dedication to empowering youth!
Apply here.
As a mentor, you will receive:
- An innovative social entrepreneurship curriculum with bite-sized content and engaging activities
- A brief train-the-trainer session
- A $500 stipend to support your leadership efforts
- Support from throughout the program
Register for our upcoming Info Session here.
Interested in speaking or leading a workshop?
Our Social Impact Summits, Hackathons, and Social Enterprise Workshops are high-energy, high-visibility events to share your voice at. If you have insights, skills, or stories to share, we’d love to connect with you.
Email Robyn (robyn@cfek.ca) to get the conversation started.
Whether you’re beginning a journey in social entrepreneurship, a student looking to learn about social impact, a seasoned mentor, or someone with valuable skills or stories to share, Innovate for Impact offers ways to get support and give support.
Together, let’s empower each other and build a more innovative Kootenay region.
