Fogo Island, Newfoundland, economic development charity
Shorefast is a Canadian social enterprise founded to build economic and cultural resilience on Fogo Island, Newfoundland.[1][2] After years of economic development work on Fogo Island, Shorefast is expanding its purpose by collaborating with other communities to share insights and best practices for local communities to thrive in the global economy.[3]
The enterprise includes a variety of charitable programs (run by Shorefast Foundation, a registered Canadian charity) and social businesses (run by Shorefast Social Enterprises Inc.).[4][5][6][7][8]
Shorefast's largest social business is Fogo Island Inn,[9][10][11][12][13] a world-renowned destination built to showcase the community's hospitality. Following visitors' interest in the Inn's locally-made furnishings, Shorefast founded Fogo Island Workshops to bring contemporary offerings for traditions of quilting and woodworking. Further businesses include Fogo Island Fish featuring premium quality hand-line cod, Growlers Ice Cream, and The Storehouse restaurant. All businesses focus on generating employment, localizing sourcing, and strengthening culture with financial surpluses reinvested in the local community.[14][15][16]