The Atlantic Canadian Social Enterprise Census
The Atlantic Canadian Social Enterprise Census is a regional research initiative led by The Purposeful Group, launched in January 2026 to better understand the challenges, and opportunities within Atlantic Canada’s social impact economy. The project was created to gather meaningful data from social enterprises, nonprofits, co-operatives, charities, and other social purpose organizations across the region in order to strengthen ecosystem development, advocacy efforts, inform policy and support more responsive financing and capacity-building initiatives.
This is a living research project, and data collection remains ongoing. We continue to welcome participation from organizations across the region, and encourage new responses to help strengthen the accuracy and usefulness of the data over time. The live results displayed on this site are pulled directly from the Good Market survey platform, creating an evolving snapshot of the sector as new organizations participate.
We believe strong data leads to stronger ecosystems, and that collaborative research can help amplify the collective voice of Atlantic Canada’s social purpose sector.
In addition to contributing to regional research and advocacy, participation also helps organizations connect to broader visibility and verification opportunities through Good Market, Buy Social Canada Certification, and People Planet First Verification.
Take the Atlantic Social Enterprise Census today!
This survey is designed to understand who is doing this work, how you operate, what supports you need, and where the biggest opportunities and barriers exist. By sharing your information, you are contributing to a stronger, more connected, and more resilient sector, one that reflects the realities of organizations working in communities of all sizes across the region.
The survey includes questions about your organization’s purpose, structure, financial picture, communities served, and future needs. Your responses will help us:
Strengthen supports available to social purpose organizations
Inform funders and policymakers
Identify ecosystem gaps
Shape new tools, financing models, and programs to better meet your needs
This survey is hosted on Good Market, a not-for-profit digital commons, so that you have control over your own data and can access additional opportunities without entering the same information multiple times. If you submit the survey and later decide to apply for a free public profile on this global platform, some of your application answers will be pre-filled.
Create a free public profile to:
Be recognized as Good Market Approved and increase the visibility of your work, your community, and the broader global movement
Be included in network directories and curated marketplaces and find new suppliers, service providers, partners, customers, and investors
Become a People and Planet First Verified Social Enterprise and access procurement platforms and new market opportunities