New philanthropic initiative focused on social innovation and entrepreneurship in Canada's post-secondary system to be launched at MaRS Social Finance Forum

TORONTO, Nov. 6, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - RECODE, a new $10 million initiative of the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, to be operated in collaboration with partners from the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors, is being launched today at the 7^th Annual Social Finance Forum.

In the initial phase of this multi-year initiative, fourteen colleges and universities across Canada have been awarded matching grants to encourage students to become social entrepreneurs, while contributing to Canada's capacity for social innovation.

RECODE will:

• Support the development of campus-level social innovation and social entrepreneurship 'zones', along with business, community and public sector partners.
• Operate a national challenge and collaboration platform open to all post-secondary faculty and students in Canada.
• Advance society's ability to address social and environmental challenges through collaboration and innovation across disciplines, sectors and institutions.

Stephen Huddart, President and CEO of the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, says, "RECODE builds on the Foundation's long history of support for Canada's post-secondary sector, and aims to strengthen support for students who want to work on creating new approaches to the challenges of our time. With partners like Intel, MaRS, CBSR, Purpose Capital, SecondMuse, and many others, we are lining up resources for ongoing investment in society's ability to innovate at a critical time".

Monica Contreras, Director of Operations at the Digital Media Research & Innovation Institute at OCAD University, one of the schools receiving funding, says: "It is a truly transformative opportunity for OCAD University to develop a global-leading Art & Design Social Innovation Zone that will benefit and be in the service of our students, and Canada's post-secondary sector."

Pierre Dumouchel, Director General of the École de technologie supérieure (ETS), another recipient of RECODE funding, adds: "RECODE is helping ETS lead the way in training 21st century engineers, ensuring that they move forward conscious of their environment and their own capacity to offer innovative solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow."

To learn more about the initiative please visit www.re-code.ca or join the conversation on Facebook (LetsRECODE) and Twitter @LetsRECODE #LetsRECODE.

RECODE Round One Recipients include:
Cégep de Sherbrooke; University of Victoria, Camosun College, and Royal Roads University; Memorial University of Newfoundland; University of Guelph; École de technologie supérieure (ETS), Dawson College, and Cégep André-Laurendeau; OCAD University; Mount Royal University; Simon Fraser University; Ryerson University; University of British Columbia; University of New
Brunswick; Georgian College; Wilfrid Laurier University; and Concordia University.

About the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation
The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation is a private philanthropic organization based in Montreal that supports Canadians in building a more innovative, inclusive, sustainable and resilient society. For more information, please visit: http://www.mcconnellfoundation.ca

Image with caption: "RECODE, Fuelling Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Higher Education (CNW Group/J.W. McConnell Family Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141106_C7949_PHOTO_EN_7613.jpg

SOURCE: J.W. McConnell Family Foundation

Brigid Shea, Director of Communications, The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, 514.228.2133, [email protected]

Related Links

http://www.mcconnellfoundation.ca/