Impact Story: LIFT Impact Partners

Organizations focused on social impact – like Rise – are unique and require support that is just as unique.

That’s where LIFT Impact Partners come in, and people like Bruce Dewar. Bruce is the President and CEO of LIFT Impact Partners and has been in the social impact space for more than 25 years. Since 2011, LIFT has been working with social purpose organizations across Canada to help them develop evidence-based solutions to maximize their impact.

“LIFT’s mission is to find great social purpose organizations that are helping to lead people to meaningful employment and taking away the barriers that stop them,” Bruce says. “We find these organizations, we help build their capacity so they can scale their impact…and we look at ways to be more efficient and effective to help more clients.”

Rise has benefited from LIFT’s expertise since 2016, when they began working together as part of a federal government strategy to increase capacity for organizations serving people with disabilities.

“Back then, Rise really didn’t know what they were signing up for,” says Bruce. “We said, we’re going to come in, we’re going to help you get better, we’re going to try and help you reach your hopes and dreams—and to do that, we need to really get under the hood of your business to see what’s working well and what could be improved.”

Rise took a leap of faith, and it has paid off in spades.

First in measuring impact, then in national scaling, LIFT has been instrumental to Rise’s growth in the intervening years.

“To say that Rise would not be where we are today without LIFT Impact Partners is an understatement,” says Beth Dea, Chief Operating Officer of Rise. “Every aspect of our organization has improved through their support and involvement. They have truly gone above and beyond to ensure our success and longevity.”

Bruce says that this is an important time for Rise, because people are more aware than ever of the impact of mental health challenges, and the critical role that Canadian small businesses play in the country’s economy is becoming increasingly clear.

“I think Rise has an important role to play,” he says. “I’m really excited about the potential and the opportunities for Rise…they can help so many more Canadians.”

Congratulations to LIFT Impact Partners, recipients of the 2025 Dave Richardson Champion Award.