Impact to Last: Lessons from the Front Lines of Social Enterprise

Ben Thornley, Jacquelyn Anderson and Lauren Dixon

This new report from REDF synthesizes lessons from ten in-depth case studies of social enterprises that work to dissolve barriers to employment. It identifies five core drivers that have helped these mission-driven businesses—which collectively employ 10,190 people and generate $153 million in annual revenue—including anchors, audacity of business models, evidence, growth capital, and identity. In order to scale the movement, the authors recommend investment in developing the business acumen of social enterprise leaders and advocating for policies such as incentivizing public procurement by minority- and women-owned business.

More on Social Enterprise...