Money & Mission: Business Planning for Social Enterprises
Presented by Bruce Arbit
November 5, 2015
Presented in collaboration with The Foundation Center New York
Social enterprises are part of a larger movement that is ‘disrupting’ what it means to do good. No longer defined by any specific title or tax status, social enterprises are part of an expanding spectrum of mission-driven enterprises, entrepreneurs and investors committed to doing well and doing good at the same time.
While proper business planning is an invaluable strategic tool for any venture, it is particularly essential for social enterprises. Given their blended value proposition, earned-income revenue-generating strategies and range of funding and financing options, the discipline of developing a plan can provide the clarity needed to position the social enterprise for maximum impact and expanded revenue opportunities.
Highlights of the workshop included a review the growing spectrum of mission-driven (social) enterprises and entrepreneurs; familiarization with the range of mission-driven funding and financing options; positioning an enterprise for success and financial viability, by focusing in on this intersection of money and mission; and shifting attention to the questions all social enterprises need to be asking themselves.
Top 3 Take-Aways:
1. Social enterprises are part of a larger movement,‘disrupting’ what it means to do good.
2. Given they are still in the early stages, the full opportunity is still being defined and realized.
3. The discipline of business planning can provide the clarity needed to position a social enterprise for maximum impact and expanded revenue opportunities.
