GATE is excited to launch Building Sustainable Futures through Hybrid Profit-Making Businesses and Enterprises Training — a course designed to support trans and gender diverse–led organizations exploring new ways to strengthen long-term sustainability.
With GATE’s new course, built upon our Social Enterprise Handbook, you will have the step-by-step to learn about what social enterprise is, how it works, and how it might fit within your organization’s mission, values, and context.
Who is this course for?
This course was especially crafted for trans and gender diverse-led organizations, but it can be used as well by:
- Activists, community leaders, and allies working on gender equality, social justice, human rights and other issues.
- Staff of NGOs and civil society organizations.
- Anyone seeking practical tools and strategies to explore economic alternatives and social enterprises.
You do not need a business background. You only need curiosity, reflection, and a willingness to imagine new possibilities.
What you will learn
Module 1: Welcome & Orientation
This module introduces the purpose of the course and how it connects to the Social Enterprise Handbook.
Module 2: Understanding Social Enterprise
Here you’ll explore what social enterprise is — and what it is not — through clear definitions, real examples from trans and gender diverse communities, and an honest look at common barriers. This foundation will help you decide whether this model could fit your organization.
Module 3: Starting Your Social Enterprise
You’ll explore your community’s assets, assess your organization’s readiness, and reflect on the values and guardrails that should guide your enterprise. This is where you begin connecting the idea of social enterprise to your real context.
Module 4: Navigating Legal Pathways
Find the basic legal considerations involved in launching a social enterprise, including structure options, registration, taxes, reporting, risk, and early operational steps. This section helps you understand what’s required to operate responsibly and sustainably in your context.
Module 5: Financing Landscape
Understand the different ways a social enterprise can be financed, from community savings and grants to loans and impact investment. You’ll learn how to think strategically about funding options and choose approaches that align with your mission, capacity, and context.
Module 6: Launching and Sustaining Your Enterprise
Move from planning to action — exploring the practical steps to launch your enterprise, build your team and budget, understand your break-even point, and develop strategies for long-term sustainability and growth.
Module 7: Reflection, Resources and Next Steps
In this final module, you’ll pause to reflect on what you’ve learned, identify realistic next steps for your organization, and revisit the Handbook’s tools and resources to support your continued journey toward sustainability.