forimpact.org » social entrepreneur

Where Are the (Social) Entrepreneurs When You Need Them?

Tom Suddes — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:26:29 +0000

I’ve been carrying around a quote from USA Today about Florida’s Statewide Nursing Shortage. The facts:

• Four of Florida’s public universities have turned away about half of qualified nursing applicants.

• An Associate Dean says they don’t have the resources or teachers to teach them.

• The quote: “It’s very difficult attracting people to academia.”

• Florida Center for Nursing reports that the state faces a “critical breakdown” in its healthcare system.

• Nurses qualified to teach can earn much more outside of the classroom… at $100,000/year.

• The universities are looking to hire faculty members for $45,000/year.

Here’s an entrepreneurial thought:

Pay qualified nurses $100,000/year (instead of the $45,000/year)… and generate millions more dollars in TUITION!

Duh?!

My Social Entrepreneur Identity Crisis… And, Philanthropy is Sustainable

Nick Fellers — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:18:28 +0000

Lately, I’ve been having something of identity crisis with respect to ‘social entrepreneurs’ and ‘for impact leaders’. A consensus definition is forming that a social entrepreneur includes using some sort of earned-income model. Moreover, I see a general attitude from those consensus circles that fundraising/philanthropy is somehow ineffective or even, in some cases, undesirable because (as I was told by someone last week) ‘it’s not sustainable’.

The traditional nonprofit paradigm needs to change (and is changing). Tom and For Impact have been sounding that horn for a long time along with many others – I don’t think we’re the first and we certainly are not the only.

I have a slightly different take on what a social entrepreneur is–the definition. To me, it’s someone that thinks like an entrepreneur and puts his or her efforts into changing the world. It’s not about the business model, it’s about the attitude. It’s not about earned-income, it’s about ‘changing the performance capacity of society’ (Drucker’s definition).

Social Entrepreneur v. (For) Impact
I was working with an org that’s actively implementing a ‘hybrid model’ including a revenue stream and some private funding support. This organization is tackling poverty and has a pretty kick ass approach (making a HUGE impact). The leaders of this organization run in the social-entrepreneur-world there was a huge romance with finding sustainability through earned income. So much so that that became their message and focus. My question: Do you want to be best in the world at building a hybrid or do you want to be best in the world at ENDING POVERTY?

This is a VERY IMPORTANT question.

On Philanthopy.
It’s sustainable. That is, there is plenty of money and I think many are wrong (fools?) to shun this as a readily available resource to be leveraged. What’s not sustainable is working with that capital and not being able to communicate the impact, the ROI.

Last year the US gave away $306 Billion. According to the Giving USA this number has gone up every year since 1987. Even this year it was going up (just not at the same rate as previous years).
We’ve also done work in Europe and while I’m not as familiar with the climate I can offer a field-level view that philanthropy is exploding. In Ireland, for example, they’ve changed laws to make giving tax-deductible. While this isn’t the REASON people give it does elevate awareness and the culture of philanthropy.
Last January Businessweek interviewed the worlds top philanthropists who said their number one challenge was giving away money effectively, not making money. Think about that… plenty of money… challenge is to do good.
I’ve attended Social Enterprise gatherings and am always struck by this point (made by a speaker – I forget the attribution), “It’s hard enough to start a business with people that have their lives together than to try to pull that off with those that are struggling.” More

So what is the answer?
Philanthropy is VERY sustainable for those that show ROI in terms of IMPACT. To offer one example, it can come in the form of long-term strategic partnerships (think City Year and Timberland).

And, to be clear, I am an entrepreneur. I LOVE creative revenue streams. I just want to raise the point about focus, return-on-energy and the trend I’m seeing.

We need to show communicate impact – always.

I’ve been with the foundations and funders that say things like, “We only like to start programs because we don’t want the organization to be dependent on us for operating.” I’ve asked these same funders: “WHAT IF we could show you how that money saves lives every year?” They look at me with a loss for words… as if no one has ever presented this challenge and quickly assure they would more than happily look at such an investment.

Rockefeller… Gates… Google.org. It ain’t going anywhere. I think a real entrepreneur would always leverage these resources. It’s quite sustainable so long as we’re having an impact.

Tribes

Tom Suddes — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:55:49 +0000

If you are a SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR, For Impact Leader or aspiring ‘wannabe’, you need to get Seth Godin’s new book TRIBES… TODAY!

This guy is a brilliant thinker and a powerful writer. Simple. Clear. Direct.

TRIBES is all about CHANGING THE WORLD… MOVEMENTS… and LEVERAGE.

I will write a better review/summary shortly, but you need to get the book NOW.

How to Be a Social Entrepreneur

Nick Fellers — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:40:42 +0000

Tom is the ultimate aggregator. He collects (even more: he remembers) every quote or phrase from hundreds of books and years of reading. A few years back he created this poster (inspired by the works Sami Sunchild) that aggregates many thoughts about How To Be A Social Entrepreneur.

Download the PDF or give 1 / get 1: compose an email to me (nick@forimpact.org), include the mailing address of a friend with a note and your mailing address… we’ll send you each a copy (first 40 who respond – I’ll update blog when we’re out). [we're out... for now]

Click picture then mouseover flickr image to see sources of inspiration.