“Even if you make a significant lasting difference for a small group of people, you have a win.”
In partnership with Employment and Social Development Canada, each month, Startup Canada is celebrating and putting the spotlight on a leading Canadian social innovator driving change in one of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Startup Canada was pleased to sit down with Vinod Rajasekaran, Publisher & CEO of Future of Good to learn about their impact on SDG 17—Partnerships for the Goals.
In addition to his work with Future of Good, Vinod was a Co-founder and the Executive Director of Impact Hub Ottawa, the largest multi-sector social innovation environment in Canada’s capital. He recently oversaw strategy and business model development as the founding Managing Director of Rideau Hall Foundation, chaired by former Governor General David Johnston.
Vinod also launched Canada’s social R&D network as a Fellow with SiG working to seed ecosystem conditions to strengthen embedded R&D capacity in Canada’s non-profits. His groundbreaking work in social R&D is referenced around the world. He is a regular commentator in the media, an invited speaker to conferences around the world on emerging trends, innovation, disruption, future of philanthropy, corporate social responsibility, and systems change.
SC: In one sentence, what does Future of Good do?
VR: Future of Good is a digital publication covering stories, innovations, and trends shaping social impact in Canada.
SC: How does your work advance SDG 17—Partnerships for the Goals?
VR: Through our platform, we help social purpose organizations communicate their stories of impact and learn from the impact and insights of others. In crafting these stories, we spotlight partnerships that would not otherwise get highlighted. Our member community is amazingly diverse made up of humanitarian organizations, banks, academia, philanthropic foundations, public servants, social enterprises, impact investing firms, social service agencies, and more. The collaborative capacity is enormous.
SC: What motivated you to build Future of Good?
VR: The world of impact is growing and changing faster than ever before. Impact-focused people deserve smarter coverage and insights no matter where they live so they can gain knowledge and work more effectively to advance causes they care about.
SC: What impact have you made and what you are most proud of?
VR: I’m most proud of the incredible stories of impact and innovation we’re able to tell—from organizations tackling hunger to delivering humanitarian assistance to building ethical supply chains. We published close to 200 stories in 2019. We are discovering that stories are a powerful tool for moving hearts and minds. Our impact is when 90% of our readers in 2019 said that they learn something new every time they read Future of Good content.
SC: What inspires you to keep going?
VR: People in need aren’t accessing the best possible services and solutions, but they are out there.
SC: What is the next mountain you are climbing and what is left undone?
VR: Gaining market traction by the end of 2020. That means 1,000 members who absolutely love Future of Good and read it every week.
SC: What has been your biggest learning along the way?
VR: Learn from what people have done before you, but there is a fine line between absorbing their wisdom and absorbing their conventions.
SC: How has being impact-driven helped you to persevere and thrive?
VR: I really don’t know any other way.
SC: What advice do you have for Canadian entrepreneurs looking to advance the Sustainable Development Goals with their businesses?
VR: Pick a goal—a few indicators where Canada is stagnant—and put your energy behind it. Even if you make a significant lasting difference for a small group of people, you have a win.
SC: Where can people go to learn more about your journey and organization?
VR: www.futureofgood.co. Become a member. It’s the best investment you can make to grow your potential as a social entrepreneur.
SC: What is your big vision for Canada and the World over the next 20 years?
VR: I would like to see Canada make as big bets in social development as it has in economic development. We can become world-class innovators in addressing social challenges. The world is looking to us to be innovators in addressing social problems but we’re not ready to accept it yet.
SC: What do you think today’s entrepreneurs should be focused on for a better, brighter future?
VR: Focus on solving a real challenge that helps people be more curious and confident about the future.
Are you focused on solving real challenges? Join the Startup Canada Social Impact Network to gain access to social enterprise programming online and on-the-ground.