#SocialEnterprise
The U.S. is not leading the charge. The social enterprise #movement has gained steam in the #global economy and it's time that we did more here. Social enterprise puts mission over money, people and planet over profit. Social enterprise cares about equitable opportunities and fair wages. Social enterprise is doing good through business -- not as an aside but as a #key #driver. I meet many #social #entrepreneurs in my work with #nonprofits and small businesses and there is more and more interest in doing good through business. So how do we move the needle in our US-based communities? Here are three suggestions:
✔ Create pathways for new social enterprise. Local business #incubators, #SBA, #NSBA and other local, regional state and federal economic development #initiatives should encourage plans and infrastructures that broaden the acceptability of what a strong business model looks like. Profit does not have to be the sole predictor of a #successful business.
✔ Develop #setasides in government and corporate #procurement policies for social enterprises. #Reward those with people-and-planet-over-profit infrastructures by increasing their likelihood to secure #contracts.
✔ Broaden the understanding and awareness of social enterprise and social #entrepreneurship in the Chamber-of-Commerce network. The number of #socialenterprises is growing and it's time Chambers embraced the change. Social enterprise is great for the #economy, great for meeting needs in local communities and is creating #livable wage jobs in local economies.
What can YOU do? #Educate yourself. Read about #social enterprise and learn how the #movement improves community. Check out Social Enterprise Alliance and the work being done through awareness and advocacy. Read this #report: https://tinyl.io/AfcX Let's catch up, #America.
-Mindy Muller, CFRE, President/CEO of CDP
#business #smallbusiness #nonprofits #getonboard
#economicdevelopment #communitydevelopment #entrepreneurship
