Why Phoenix Print Shop? It is a remarkable social enterprise that provides at-risk youth with job training and affordable housing. I have visited Phoenix Print Shop on several occasions, and remain impressed with their level of professionalism (to clients) and services (to residents).

For charities, printing at Phoenix Print Shop is a cost competitive alternative that also brings better ‘blended-value’ to their work. Who would not want to work with a progressive socially and environmentally conscience vendor?

In these recessionary times, it is not easy for charities or businesses to operate as we did 18 months ago. The sand is shifting so quickly that it becomes incredibly hard to focus on the long term when getting past next week seems so daunting.

For the past eight years we have been very focused on the long term. However, it has taken some time to build effective capacity that allows us to host Timeraisers while also participating in larger projects with other like-minded organizations.

The Community Print Club – encouraging 50 charities to get a quote from Phoenix Print Shop – is our first installment of many exciting initiatives that are part of our long term view. If 50 charities with regular printing needs engaged with Phoenix Print Shop, our research estimates that almost $100,000 in new revenue would be generated.

In the coming weeks we will be also sharing our new social media strategy on this blog. Our team will also be sharing every aspect of the strategy including ‘how-to’ tools and resources for other nonprofits or social enterprises to do the same.

Our team has also completed some interesting research that characterizes the type of professionalization that is happening in our space. Additionally, we are launching a Timeraiser in Edmonton mid Fall 2009.

And finally you’ll be hearing lots from our team about the ‘organizational pilates‘ that we do. The capacity building exercise that strengthens our organizational core has been critical for making sure we are living up to the values we want to promote: how to bring people to causes and causes to people.

Thanks for tuning in.

Anil Patel