Social Entrepreneurship

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Video: About the Genesis Entrepreneurship and Social Change Course

Social Entrepreneurship

Can an organization turn a profit and make positive change in the world at the same time? In this course, you will learn about businesses that are trying to do that. You will also explore the role of non-profits and individual entrepreneurs in addressing social issues like poverty, health, and education. Most important, you will think about ways that you can make a difference.

Key Questions

• How do we define social entrepreneurship?

• How does company structure (non-profit, for profit, hybrid) effect the kinds impact an organization is able to have?  

• How can we measure impact? What are the short term, long term, and global consequences of our business and philanthropic choices.How can my passions and talents be a source of inspiration and change?

• How can I best make change in my community? In the world?

• What frameworks, strategies, and resources are out there to help me pursue my innovative idea for social change.

Course Activities Include

• Meeting with local entrepreneurs and find out what motivates their work and what makes them successful

• Learning about Jewish initiatives to foster Jewish social entrepreneurs

• Visiting socially responsible businesses, such as More Than Words, a non-profit social enterprise that "empowers youth who are in the foster care system, homeless, or out of school to take charge of their lives by taking charge of a business"

• Researching and developing a business plan for an organization with a social mission including ways to use marketing and media to promote the cause.