Making Profits That Build Strong Communities: New Social Enterprise Movement Gains Momentum in North

April 22, 2011 - PRLog -- DALLAS, TX –  Government funding for public service organizations continues to shrink, yet the need for these services continues to rise.  In this new economic and social environment, North Texas is becoming a hub of an emerging trend – “social enterprise” – where nonprofit organizations use revenue-generating ventures to generate income in support of their missions.

The recently-formed Social Enterprise Alliance North Texas Chapter is leading the way in helping North Texas nonprofit and for-profit organizations to meet a “triple bottom line” of helping people, sustaining the planet, and achieving profits that result in high-value job-creation and community economic growth.  

    “The opportunity for businesses, nonprofits and entrepreneurs to come together and collaborate to build on each others strengths for the benefit of the economy and the community has never been greater,” said Charlotte Keany, Chairman of the Board, Social Enterprise Alliance North Texas Chapter and Director of Consulting with the Center for Nonprofit Management. “We are engaging all sectors in the community to make a powerful and positive financial and social impact on North Texas.”

The Chapter was formed in partnership with the Center for Nonprofit Management with the vision of making North Texas a national leader in building sustainable social enterprises.  The Chapter supports corporate professionals, nonprofits, investors, academia and entrepreneurs by providing access to information and resources, practical business tools, professional development, networking events and educational forums to help improve the profitability and impact of social purpose ventures.   A major element of the Social Enterprise Alliance’s mission is to help social enterprise become a widely practiced method for creating a more just and sustainable world.

Event Puts Successful Social Enterprises in Spotlight
The Chapter recently sponsored a sold-out event where representatives from area businesses, corporations, investors, nonprofits, universities, government sponsored agencies and social enterprise experts gathered to learn and share best practices for social enterprise.  The event featured representatives from pioneering organizations including the Institute for Social Entrepreneurs, OneStar Foundation: The Center for Social Impact, University of North Texas Murphy Center for Entrepreneurism, Center for Nonprofit Management and PepsiCo.
 
          One local social enterprise highlighted at the event was the Belltower Chapel & Garden located in Fort Worth.  The Chapel was donated to ACH Child and Family Services by local philanthropists in 2008.  ACH Child and Family Services renovated the Chapel and in 009 opened the facility to the public for the first time in its history so it could generate revenue to support its social mission.  

   “We’ve experienced tremendous growth in our social enterprise business since opening the chapel to the public,” said Barbara Clark- Galupi, Vice President Marketing and Social Business Ventures for ACH Child and Family Services.  “Not only have we increased the impact of our outreach services that are protecting children from child abuse, but we have also provided  new employment opportunities for the foster youth that we serve.  We’re lighting the path for these children to have brighter and more productive futures.”

   “This is what social enterprise is all about,” said SEA North Texas Chapter’s Keany.  “Our organization looks forward with a great deal of excitement to helping gain momentum for this new movement in North Texas.”      

For more information on the Social Enterprise Alliance North Texas Chapter, visit www.seantc.org


About Social Enterprise Alliance North Texas Chapter (www.seantc.org)
The North Texas Chapter of the Social Enterprise Alliance was formed in 2010 in partnership with the Center for Nonprofit Management with the vision of making North Texas a national leader in building sustainable social enterprises.  It provides education and information, practical tools, and support to improve the profitability and impact of social purpose ventures. The chapter includes members from practicing social enterprises, universities and local corporations.  The organization serves as advocate for the field, hub of information and education, and builder of a vibrant and growing community of social enterprises.

About Social Enterprise Alliance (www.se-alliance.org)
The Social Enterprise Alliance (SEA) is the leading national membership organization in North America for social enterprises, nonprofit organizations, corporations, and venture capitalists that is actively building the field of social enterprise through networking opportunities, educational forums, strategic partnerships, and impact legislation. Our members are passionate about changing their communities, and we are passionate about providing them with the tools they need to continue their good work.

About the Center for Nonprofit Management (www.cnmdallas.org)
The mission of the Center for Nonprofit Management is to build stronger communities by increasing the performance and impact of nonprofit organizations.  Fulfilling its mission since 1980, the Center for Nonprofit Management annually helps the staff and boards of more than 2,500 nonprofit organizations in North Texas develop better management and governance skills through consulting, education and social innovation programs.

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About Social Enterprise Alliance North Texas Chapter:
The North Texas Chapter of the Social Enterprise Alliance was formed in 2010 in partnership with the Center for Nonprofit Management with the vision of making North Texas a national leader in building sustainable social enterprises. It provides education and information, practical tools, and support to improve the profitability and impact of social purpose ventures. The chapter includes members from practicing social enterprises, universities and local corporations. The organization serves as advocate for the field, hub of information and education, and builder of a vibrant and growing community of social enterprises.