A B.C.-based social enterprise funding program is looking to expand eastward as it aims to increase employment for mentally and physically disabled people.

The Enterprising Non-Profits Program (ENP), established in Vancouver in 1997, has begun efforts to expand to Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, says ENP manager David LePage.

The Ontario expansion has already begun, while progress is expected on the Prairies this summer.

"It's being piloted right now in Toronto," says LePage.

"We're actually having discussions in June with non-profit funders in Alberta and in Winnipeg and in Saskatoon to look at the opportunities and to share the learnings and to explore whether or not they're interested in replication (of the B.C. setup)."

LePage made the comments following an announcement in Vancouver, where the federal government's Department of Western Economic Diversification (WED) announced it will provide $155,250 to continue ENP's expansion throughout rural B.C.

ENP-supported social enterprises - business ventures operated by non-profit societies, charities or co-operatives - provide labour services to companies and other organizations.

"Changes in the economy create needs," says LePage. "Some of them are employment. Some of them are community services. For non-profits to use the business model to provide those needs is much more sustainable than relying on grants or government contracts."

Russ Hiebert, a Vancouver-area MP who serves as parliamentary secretary to Intergovernmental Affairs and WED Minister Rona Ambrose, says the federal funds, which extend previous funding, will create 120 new jobs in B.C. while helping to launch new business ventures.

"It puts a whole new angle on the definition of angel funding," says Hiebert.

WED is one of ENP's funding partners, along with Toronto-based Bell, United Way of the Lower Mainland, Coast Capital Savings Credit Union, Vancity Credit Union and its community foundation, the Centre for Community Enterprise, Northern Trust, Vancouver Foundation and an anonymous donor.

"There's no doubt that businesses - large and small - have a need for the kind of services being provided by these social-enterprise businesses," says Hiebert.

Faye Wightman, president and CEO of the Vancouver Foundation, which provides funding to non-profit organizations throughout B.C., says none of the province's 9,000 registered charities relies on a single source of financial support.

ENP is an excellent way to open different funding lines, she adds.

The WED grant announcement was made at Starworks Packaging and Assembly, which employs 52 people with disabilities and expects to "reach sustainability" this year - in other words, balance revenues and expenses.

The company is operated by the Developmental Disabilities Association, which assists disabled children, adults and their families.

Michelle Cobb, communications director for Starworks and its parent association, says ENP's expansion will enable more ventures like Starworks to start up while encouraging more groups to provide funding.

"The more people with disabilities we can get working, the better," says Cobb.

"The social benefits are huge."

She says companies, including BC Hydro, that contract with Starworks are able to streamline their operations and become more efficient.

"It helps them with their corporate social responsibility," says Cobb. "That's a great thing for a company."

Meanwhile, Ontario companies will recruit disabled employees as well as immigrants and other candidates during the National Job Fair and Training Expo, April 8-9, in Toronto.

This 12th edition of the event, held twice a year, is expected to highlight 7,000 career and training opportunities.

Organizers are expecting more than 150 exhibitors from a wide range of sectors.

Operators of the Diversity.ca website have signed on as an event partner and promoter.

(Monte Stewart can be reached at monte@businessedge.ca)