Making Money in the Nonprofit Sector: Social Enterprises to Support Missions

During the economic downturn, America’s social sector organizations are rising to the challenge. One way in which organizations are investing in a more sustainable future is through social enterprise. The Social Enterprise Alliance (2009) defines a social enterprise as “an organization or venture that achieves its primary social or environmental mission using business methods.” According to a recent survey, 54 percent of social sector organizations today now operate a social enterprise (Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship et al. 2008). As proof that many of these organizations see social enterprise as a path to longerterm sustainability, 60 percent indicate that they plan to launch another social enterprise in the next three to five years