The Canadian Skin Patient Alliance (CSPA) is a registered charity that supports people affected by skin, hair and nail conditions. Our vision is a world where people affected by skin, hair and nail conditions live healthy and fulfilling lives. Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of people across Canada affected by skin, hair and nail conditions through collaboration, advocacy and education. 

To achieve our mission: 

• We raise awareness about the impacts of skin conditions. 
• We educate on a variety of issues affecting skin patients, their families and caregivers. 
• We advocate for best care and treatment options for all skin patients.  
• We facilitate patient engagement in dermatological research.
• We support and collaborate with our Affiliate Member organizations that work with specific skin patient communities such as those living with acne, scleroderma, melanoma and psoriasis. 

Currently, our organization is primarily funded through restricted funding from pharmaceutical companies. While this support has been instrumental, we aim to diversify our funding sources and develop a sustainable business model that fosters greater financial independence, enhances member engagement, and aligns with our mission.

We are seeking expertise in non-profit business development, financial sustainability, and stakeholder collaboration to assist us in creating a new business model that ensures long-term viability and strengthens our alliance with affiliate members.

The selected school will work collaboratively with the CSPA to achieve the following:

1. Diversify Funding Sources

• Identify and evaluate alternative revenue streams (e.g., individual giving, grants, corporate partnerships, fee-for-service models).
• Develop strategies to reduce dependency on pharmaceutical funding.

1. Enhance Affiliate Member Engagement and Value

• Assess current relationships with affiliate members and their non-financial contributions.
• Propose mechanisms to increase affiliate investment (financial or other) in the alliance, such as tiered membership models or value-added services.

1. Create a Sustainable Business Model

• Develop a comprehensive and actionable business model tailored to our mission and member needs.
• Ensure the model supports operational sustainability while remaining mission-aligned.

1. Implementable Recommendations

• Provide clear steps and timelines for implementation.
• Include measurable outcomes and benchmarks for success.

Scope of Work

The scope of work includes, but is not limited to:

1. Conduct a detailed assessment of CSPA's current business model and financial structure.
2. Engage with key stakeholders, including affiliate members, staff, and funders, to gather insights and feedback.
3. Benchmark against similar non-profits or alliances to identify successful strategies.
4. Propose innovative funding opportunities and partnership models.
5. Develop a phased plan for implementing the new business model.

Student Preference

It is preferred that this be executed by university graduate students, but can also be executed by undergraduate students..