The Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) is a great example of what you, through survey responses, and I have been saying for a long time: Peer support is a valuable asset to small business owners and social entrepreneurs.

Defining Words Used by the Socially Conscious

by Geri Stengel on Dec 23, 2009 - 9:04am

Commentary / Opinion corporate social responsibility How To Motivated by Purpose non profit social change socially responsible

I’m issuing a challenge: define some of the phrases used by the socially conscious. My aim is to to help crystallize your thinking about the essence of making a social impact and your role in it. This is the first in five part series.

What is Your Definition of Corporate Social Responsibility?

by Geri Stengel on Dec 21, 2009 - 1:42pm

Commentary / Opinion definition of corporate social responsibility How To Motivated by Purpose Nonprofit Small Business Social Enterprise social responsibility socially responsible

Definitions of Phrases Making a Difference – One in a Series

How do you define corporate social responsibility? At the least prescriptive end of the spectrum, corporate social responsibility can be defined as doing no harm, following both the spirit and the letter of all regulations and, maybe, sponsoring a local Little League team.

Not bad, not too hard, but not really doing much to earn your stripes as a socially responsible corporation.

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A New Disney Filmmaker Shows the Way to Social Responsibility

by Geri Stengel on Nov 23, 2009 - 5:49pm

Motivated by Purpose National Philanthropy Day social entrepreneur social impact social responsibility

One Disney's Focus Morphs From Fantasy to Reality

While the name "Disney" may conjure up fantasy and happiness, Abigail Disney, the granddaughter of Roy Disney, knows that the real world isn’t filled with cartoon characters and happy endings. She knows that the world is full of harsh realities – poverty, disease, terrible working conditions, and climate change – and she is using her financial resources and her talents to fight them.

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Fair Trade is More Than a Label

by Geri Stengel on Nov 16, 2009 - 9:15am

fair trade Motivated by Purpose organic farming social entrepreneur social impact social responsibility

The Money Is in the Chocolate

You’d think that the economic value of a product would be in the raw material. To a small degree, you’d be right. But the greater value by far is in the production process, especially in high-end products such as gourmet chocolate. Making chocolate generates five times more income than fair trade cocoa, even if your beans are considered the finest in the world, according to Tim McCollum of Madécasse.

Scaling Social Impact Solutions

by Geri Stengel on Oct 27, 2009 - 12:45pm

2009 New York Times Company Nonprofit Excellence Awards Motivated by Purpose social impact social impact exchange social innovation fund

Taking Social Impact to Scale

Does a solution to a social problem really exist if no one knows about it? To the few people served by the organization, yes. However, to the many who could be served, no. Social Impact Exchange (Exchange), a joint effort of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Growth Philanthropy Network and Duke University, plans to change all that.

Blog Action Day: What’s Good for Small Businesses and Nonprofits Bottom Line Is Good for the Environment

by Geri Stengel on Oct 15, 2009 - 7:33am

climate change green business Motivated by Purpose nonprofit reducing carbon footprint small business leader

"Plastic or paper?" We're used to making that choice every time we go to the market, and it's not an easy choice. Do we use everlasting plastic or tree-killing paper? The same kind of choice faces us when we market our products and services: paper or electronic? Do we market with email or snail mail?

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Social Investment Activism: It’s in the BHAG

by Geri Stengel on Jul 21, 2009 - 9:05am

Diana Ayton-Shenker Fast Forward Fund (FFF) Jessica Rauch Lily Liu Motivated by Purpose Public Stuff The Generation Project young social investors youth social investments

As I mentioned last week, I was going to attend a Young Professionals Friendraiser for Fast Forward Fund (FFF), which I did. I enjoyed meeting new friends and catching up with the old gang. However, what impressed me the most were the presentations.

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Entrepreneurs Jump Hurdles Like Olympic Champions: Michael Dwork Gets the Gold Medal

by Geri Stengel on Jul 2, 2009 - 11:28am

Columbia Business School entrepreneur environmental responsibility Michael Dwork Motivated by Purpose social responsibility

I met Michael Dwork at a fair that Columbia Business School holds for its MBA students who are budding entrepreneurs. The purpose is to meet mentors to help guide them through several business planning competitions they hold. We’ve kept in touch ever since.

Business Incubators Increase Nonprofit and For-profit Odds of Success

by Geri Stengel on Jun 30, 2009 - 9:46am

Business Incubators Motivated by Purpose New York Women Social Entrepreneurs (NYWSE) nonprofits professional development small businesses social entrepreneurs technical training

Every organization can use a pied piper – a leader who inspires people to follow. New York Women Social Entrepreneurs (NYWSE) has two: Natalia Oberti Noguera, director, and Allison Lynch, incubator manager. They recruited me to screen applicants for the program, provide training, and be a mentor.