Applying market-based strategies to social problems
“A social enterprise is an organization or venture that achieves its primary social or environmental mission using business methods. The social needs addressed by social enterprises and the business models they use are as diverse as human ingenuity.” The Social Alliance
For profit alternatives to the traditional nonprofit corporation
In 2012 the California legislature created two new classes of corporations for businesses that seek to pursue both profit and purpose: Benefit Corporations and Flexible Purpose Corporations. Here are some articles that explain what they are and how they work:
- California Creates New Corporate Types that Reward Doing Good
- California Benefit Organizations
- Enforcing Accountability: How Do Benefit Corporations and Flexible Purpose Corporations Differ?
REDFworkshop.org offers powerful tools for start-up social enterprises, an extensive library of compelling video interviews with a diverse group of thought leaders, and a way to connect with others in this movement
seToolbelt is an open content resource hub that helps social entrepreneurs plan, launch, manage, and grow successful social enterprises
Social Enterprise Alliance is a membership organization for social entrepreneurs