Social entrepreneurs are very distinct from business entrepreneurs. According to Skoll Foundation, social entrepreneurs aim for value in the form of transformational change that will benefit disadvantaged communities and the society at large. These entrepreneurs pioneer innovative and systemic approaches for meeting the needs of the marginalized, disadvantaged, and disenfranchised populations.
Currently, more and more organizations that fund social entrepreneurship programs are being established. Listed below are some of the most well known organizations providing assistance to social entrepreneurs and their programs and activities:
Skoll Foundation
The Skoll Foundation drives large-scale change by investing in, connecting, and celebrating social entrepreneurs and other innovators dedicated to solving the world’s most pressing problems. The organization invests in social entrepreneurs through its Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship.
Echoing Green
Echoing Green invests in and supports outstanding emerging social entrepreneurs to launch new organizations that deliver bold, high-impact solutions and to accelerate social change. The organization offers a two-year fellowship program where visionaries develop new solutions to society’s most difficult problems.
Ashoka Foundation
Ashoka is leading a transformation in society. It develops models for collaboration and design infrastructure needed to advance the field of social entrepreneurship and the citizen sector.
Schwab Foundation
The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship is a not-for-profit, independent, and neutral organization founded in 1998. Its purpose is to advance social entrepreneurship and to foster social entrepreneurs as an important catalyst for societal innovation and progress.
Draper Richards Foundation
Draper Richards Foundation believes that dedicated, talented leadership is the essence of social change. The organization provides funding and business mentoring to social entrepreneurs as they begin their non-profit organizations.
The Canadian Social Entrepreneurship Foundation
The Canadian Social Entrepreneurship Foundation brings a fresh, innovative, high impact, and energetic contribution to the social entrepreneurship field. Focusing on Education, the foundation believes that mentorship, networking, and resourcing are critical to the growth of a flourishing social economy in Canada.
SEED Initiative
The SEED Initiative identifies, profiles, and supports promising, locally-driven, and start-up enterprises working in partnership with developing countries to improve livelihoods, tackle poverty, and marginalisation, as well as to manage natural resources sustainably. The organization develops and provides learning resources for the broad community of social and environmental entrepreneurs. It also aims to inspire innovative, entrepreneurial approaches to sustainable development.
These funding organizations offer financial assistance to social entrepreneurship programs and accept applications from either for-profit or non-profit organizations. Some also offer services other than financial assistance. These include technical assistances, business mentoring, and educational and informational trainings and seminars.
There are various programs and activities that can be categorized as social entrepreneurship. Remember, social entrepreneurship cannot only be shown in non-profit organizations and through charitable efforts. It can also be implemented in various businesses.
In fact, that’s what’s great about these social entrepreneurship programs. Even for-profit businesses can apply for grants as long as they initiate a charitable effort or concern for the community. Hence, this is a great opportunity for those planning to start or expand their businesses.
All you have to do is include a plan to create a social impact before applying for any social entrepreneurship programs available. Of course, you need to submit a well presented and fully justified grant proposal. For this, you can hire the services of Allied Grant Writers.
Allied Grant Writers can help you focus your grant proposal on your concern for the community and the specific social impact you like to create. In doing so, funding organizations will instantly see your point and deliberate on granting your request!
So, if there is a specific societal concern that you like to address, take action now and apply for a social entrepreneurship grant. Just be sure to present your goals and justify your need clearly and effectively to further boost your chances!
