Kiva: Loans that change lives
When it comes to microfinance, one organization has proven itself particularly worthy of the term pioneer. Eschewing conventional fundraising models for a unique peer-to-peer microlending website, Kiva has been alleviating poverty and empowering entrepreneurs...
Entrepreneurship and loving the in-between
One beautiful lesson I’ve been able to articulate as I’ve grown as a social entrepreneur is that you “Love the In-Between.” If you do too, then you’ll make a fine social entrepreneur. That’s actually the meaning behind the French...
Home reno redux: Habitat for Humanity ReStores
A brightly striped bunk bed. Beautiful hemlock handrails. A row overflowing with hardwood flooring leftovers. An antique single bed with an abandoned refinishing job. Habitat for Humanity’sReStores are cornucopias for home reno bargain hunters. One of the best...
Feelin’ lucky? Oliberté takes a gamble with soles
Hard work and passion aside, entrepreneurship relies – sometimes heavily – on the oft-times unreliable infusion of capital and the enigmatic and frustratingly intangible element we call luck. Yes, luck. If you’d prefer to Oprah-fy this conversation,...
The Value of Ideation for an Enterprising Non-profit
“What business should we operate?” Is your organization thinking about launching an enterprise? Jonathan Wade explains the importance of ideation in pursuing that goal – and shares some of the challenges and benefits every enterprising non-profit can...
The Social Impact Bond: Potential and pitfalls
Shifting the risk of social value creation to private investors There is currently much discussion about the Social Impact Bond as an innovative tool to generate financing for social enterprises. Anyone who has tried to start a social enterprise—a...
What’s all the Buzz about B Corps?
Ever since Beau’s All Natural Brewing Company began making craft beer seven years ago, they’ve used organic ingredients, followed eco-friendly practices and supported community causes. The Vankleek Hill, Ontario-based business announced in October that it had taken...
Why Haiti’s Answer May Lie in Clinton, Collaboration and Social Entrepreneurship
Panelists: Denis O’Brien, Sean Penn and Danielle Saint-Lot, with moderator Kathleen Matthews Credit: Juliana Thomas / Clinton Global Initiative Four years after the devastating earthquake hit the nation, killing 250,000 people, Haiti is still struggling to...
Ontario’s Social Enterprise Recipe – Proof is in the Pudding
What should we expect from the Ontario social enterprise (SE) space in 2014? It’s holiday time, so I’m going to tackle this from a food perspective. If we’re trying to judge the success of our SE recipe, “the proof of the pudding (in 2014) will be in the eating.”...
In the Business of Change written by SEE Change publisher & editor Elisa Birnbaum highlights social entrepreneurs around the world. Get your print or audiobook where you normally buy or download books Learn More
Our recent 3-part podcast series is sponsored by Junxion Strategy
