Community Investment Ecosystem in Canada
The Shorefast Institute’s second webinar of 2026 will explore community investment in Canada and how innovative capital solutions are strengthening place-based economies across the country. Brian Smith from Boann will provide an overview of Canada’s evolving community finance ecosystem, including the role of the $755M Social Finance Fund and how it’s being deployed to support social purpose organizations nationwide.
Attendees will hear how community investment bridges critical capital gaps and supports organizations working to create social, economic, and environmental impact in their regions – with a focus on equity, systems change, and catalytic capital approaches.
Please join us on Thursday, February 26 at 2:30pm (NL) / 1:00pm (ET) / 10:00am (PT) for Community Investment Ecosystem in Canada, where the Institute will share its latest updates and Brian will deliver an overview of the community investment landscape in Canada.
Brian Smith
Managing Director, Engagement & Market Development | Boann
Brian Smith is an experienced leader and advisor in the social innovation and impact investing space. He is an Advisory Member for TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good and the co-founder and Board Chair of Persephone Brewing Company – a Certified B Corp that is widely recognized as an early adopter and model of ecologically positive systems, including regenerative agriculture and community impact. Working at the intersection of clean technology, finance and climate action, Brian is passionate about mobilizing finance solutions that can catalyze the adoption of regenerative agriculture and other nature-based solutions to the climate emergency. Brian served as Executive Director of a Community Futures office and was a co-founding partner and CEO at Rhiza Capital, where he helped unlock more than $180M of new capital for investment in the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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