Photo: DJOtaku
My colleague Chris’s blog post on corporate and nonprofit partnerships, as well as last week’s article in the New York Times on social entrepreneurship, got me wondering about social entrepreneurship in Minnesota. Since I moved to Minnesota in the fall of 2008, I’ve heard and read a lot about the generosity of Minnesotans and their commitment to public service (and I hear the stat about the high number of nonprofits per capita in the state everywhere I go … which may tell you I don’t get out enough). But I can’t say I’ve heard much about social entrepreneurship, and I’m not sure why that is.
Ashoka and the Skoll Foundation are two of the best known organizations to invest in and promote social entrepreneurship, along with the online community social edge, launched by Skoll. These organizations share a belief that the same entrepreneurial and competitive spirit that has fueled innovation in the business sector can transform the citizen sector.
An article published by the Stanford Social Innovation Review has defined social entrepreneurship as distinct from both social activism and social service provision. The following components are necessary:
- the identification of a stable but unjust equilibrium that has marginalized a segment of society that lacks financial or political means
- the identification of an opportunity, the development and articulation of a social value proposition, and the ability to challenge the status quo
- the creation of a new equilibrium that releases trapped potential and ensures a better future for the marginalized community
Inspiration, creativity, direct action, courage, and fortitude are identified as key characteristics of the social entrepreneur.
I love the idea of systemic change resulting in the “release of trapped potential.” Isn’t that an inspired framework for public service?
Join the conversation: So, I’m curious about the intersections of philanthropy, nonprofits, and social entrepreneurs in the state. What are Minnesota’s grantmakers doing to encourage social entrepreneurship, and what should they be doing?
- Juliana Tillema, research manager
Hi Juliana Tillema,
I manage Ashoka’s Youth Venture program here in Minneapolis. Youth Venture inspires and invests in teams of young people to design and launch their own lasting social ventures, enabling them to have this transformative experience of leading positive social change. Check out http://www.navigatemn.org and http://bcv09.blogspot.com/ to learn more about two of our teams.
Another fantastic organization founded by an Ashoka Fellow recently expanded to the Twin Cities – Genesys Works. Their goal is to change the culture in inner-city schools to one in which the pursuit of a professional career becomes ‘the given’ for all students.
Another person to watch is Marnita of Marinta’s Table. She is doing absolutely fantastic work fostering social capital.
A great resource for local social entrepreneurs is Social Venture Partners (SVP) Minnesota.
Thanks so much for the inspiring examples, Kate.
When I clicked through to your organization’s web site, I learned about the Social Enterprise Network, launched by Nonprofits Assistance Fund and MAP for Nonprofits, a peer group to strengthen and support social entrepreneurs. I see you have a good collection of resources for social entrepreneurs as well as example of such nonprofits around the state.
Here’s the link for more info: http://www.nonprofitsassistancefund.org/pages/social_enterprise
Anyone else know of other resources or examples?
We have amble examples of innovative social entrepreneurs in Minnesota and may receive encouragement and support from Minnesota’s foundations. They may not be profiled in publications as frequently as a handful of others (who are all terrific, to be fair) but much good work to plug societal gaps are here. To start, check out Admission Possible Global Deaf Connection, and A Chance to Grow.
[...] used by WNYC, which you may remember. This time it was the above photo in a blog post about Social Enterprenuership in Minnesota. As I said before, if the most important thing to you is getting your artwork out there, use the [...]