This month, Memorial University’s Centre for Social Enterprise, the Community Sector Council of Newfoundland and Labrador and Goparity Canada are hitting the road for a provincewide impact investing roadshow.

From individuals looking to invest in local businesses to leaders of social purpose organizations seeking innovative financing solutions, the roadshow is open to everyone.

Kicking off in St. John's on Sept. 16, the roadshow will travel to Gander, Corner Brook, St. Anthony and Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

“We want to inspire and equip people from all corners of the province to support impactful businesses and projects, whether right here at home or across Canada,” said Emily Mercy, co-founder of Goparity Canada. “The roadshow creates a unique opportunity for investors of all experience levels and social purpose leaders to connect, learn and secure funding that accelerates positive change.”

The Centre for Social Enterprise will introduce Fairlead, a student-managed social impact fund that provides funding opportunities to rural communities.

“In times of uncertainty, social purpose organizations play a vital role in rebuilding and fortifying their communities,” said Dr. Gillian Morrissey, manager of the centre and a professor in the Faculty of Business Administration. “Fairlead acts as a source of patient capital, giving students the rare opportunity to apply what they’re learning in real time, while directly supporting community organizations making a difference.” 

Key features of the roadshow include the following:

• Inclusive workshops on how individuals can start their impact investment journey and support local initiatives
• Sessions for social purpose organization leaders on accessing financing for innovative projects
• Community networking events to foster collaboration over refreshments
• A $100 credit toward a Canadian impact investment on the Goparity platform, encouraging immediate participation

The roadshow celebrates Canadian enterprise and community-driven impact, uniting investors, changemakers and organizations to build a stronger social finance ecosystem in Newfoundland and Labrador.

All Newfoundlanders and Labradorians interested in learning, investing or collaborating are encouraged to register early and reserve their spot.

St. John's | Tuesday, Sept. 16
Gander | Wednesday, Sept. 17 
Corner Brook | Friday, Sept. 19 
St. Anthony | Saturday, Sept. 20 
Happy Valley-Goose Bay | Monday, Sept. 22 

Background

About Goparity Canada

Goparity is an online platform enabling Canadians to invest in social and environmental impact projects nationwide. Anyone can invest — regardless of experience, net worth or assets — by lending directly to Canadian small and medium businesses. With no fees or high minimums, you choose your projects and track your impact. Since launching in Canada, Goparity has built a community of 1,000 investors across five provinces, investing more than $800,000 in impactful businesses. Globally, Goparity’s 50,000-plus members have financed hundreds of projects, raising tens of millions for sustainability initiatives and supporting meaningful change in communities around the world. 

About the Centre for Social Enterprise

Memorial University’s Centre for Social Enterprise has established itself as a hub of social enterprise expertise and activity with a wide network of collaborators and partners both within the province and beyond. In 2025, the centre launched the Fairlead Social Impact Fund to support investment in local social enterprises and community organizations across Newfoundland and Labrador. Fairlead is the first student-managed social impact fund based at a Canadian university. It’s a key part of the centre’s Impact Investing Fellowship, giving students the opportunity to make real investment decisions that drive positive social, cultural and environmental change.

About Community Sector Council of Newfoundland and Labrador

The Community Sector Council Newfoundland and Labrador exists to support changemakers across the province. Through its Social Innovation Lab, the council empowers community organizations to co-create local solutions to challenges, driving positive social and economic impact. Two key initiatives of the lab are social enterprise through acquisition, which is a program designed to preserve businesses in rural Newfoundland and Labrador by transforming them into social enterprises, and the Caribou Fund (in development), which is a place-based fund investing in Newfoundland and Labrador's community sector to foster sustainable and resilient communities across the province.

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For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact Mandy Rowsell, communications advisor, Faculty of Business Administration at Memorial University, u62mmr@mun.ca or 709-864-2616.