An interesting twist on public-private partnerships – and a social enterprise home run – is Bizdom U, a bootcamp for aspiring entrepreneurs in Detroit. It is funded by Dan Gilbert, a self-made man who has focused his philanthropy on one city and on building a network of small businesses to raise that city's economy. For four months, the would-be entrepreneurs receive a stipend while they work on business plans and refine their products and services. Some receive a $100,000 grant to implement the plan.

Collaborate, Innovate, and Look to Investors

by Geri Stengel on Jun 17, 2010 - 7:45pm

#siex10 innovation investor funding nonprofit collaboration SIEX10 Social Impact Exchange Conference

Action-oriented collaboration.
Positive deviance.
Unprecedented cooperation.
Profound transition.

Going to Scale: the Next Frontier

by Geri Stengel on Jun 17, 2010 - 4:17pm

#siex10 innovation Nonprofit nonprofit funding nonprofit growth SIEX10 Social Impact Exchange Conference

Nonprofits need to grow because social problems come in large numbers, says Gordon Berlin of MDRC. Now that's the truth!

But nonprofits are just beginning to learn how to grow, and their partners – funders – are changing the rules.

Another truth.

Calling All Would-be Entrepreneurs: Do Your Homework If You Want to Pass the Test

by Geri Stengel on May 20, 2010 - 8:00am

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The economy is beginning to recover, the Obama administration has proposed $30 billion fund for loans to small businesses: Is this the time to start your own business?

Non Profit Leaders Need to be Nimble and Careful in 2010

by Geri Stengel on Jan 12, 2010 - 11:04pm

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It may sound like a platitude, but sometimes those trite sayings your mother always said are true: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. 2010 will be another tough year for nonprofits. Those who help themselves, work smart, and innovate will be ready to grow when funding is available.

What is a social entrepreneur?

by Geri Stengel on Dec 30, 2009 - 9:36am

Commentary / Opinion entrepreneur innovation innovative social change social entrepreneurship Social Entrepreneurship social responsibility what is a social entrepreneur

"What is a social entrepreneur?" Now that is a really difficult question. First, you have decide what an entrepreneur is. Then you have to decide what qualifies as social entrepreneurship.

Neither task is easy.

By Rethinking Design as “Design Thinking,” Organizations Become More Innovative

by Guest Blogger on Dec 15, 2009 - 11:01pm

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The world has finally realized that the way creative people think is a process that can be applied to problems throughout an organization, not just in the design department.

More Calls for Change in Way Non Profit Finances Are Evaluated

by Geri Stengel on Nov 18, 2009 - 12:59pm

Forecast / Prediction innovation non profit funding non profit leaders non profit managers non profit regulation non profit sector Nonprofit politics social enterprise Social Responsibility social responsibility

More calls to action have been made, urging funders, non profits and, yes, even the government to revise the way in which the financial effectiveness of non profits is evaluated. Hard on the heels of the Bridgespan Group report, which I discussed in my October 20 blog, Nonprofit Funding Standards Undermine Nonprofits, come two more reports, urging re-evaluation of what constitutes a “good” non profit.

Entrepreneurship: Bringing the American Dream Abroad

by Geri Stengel on Aug 4, 2009 - 11:10am

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I know it’s been in the news a lot, but the facts often bear repeating:

entrepreneurs create new jobs at a faster rate than larger companies
entrepreneurs develop new products and services
entrepreneurs innovate processes and approaches improving the way we get things done
entrepreneurs (re)invigorate economies

Innovate or Go the Way of the Dinosaur

by Geri Stengel on Jun 18, 2009 - 11:49am

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At this point, you’ve most likely gotten past being frozen by the depth and breadth of the recession. You’ve cut your budgets and staff to the bone and are lean and mean. If you weren’t aggressive about your business before, you are now. You have been in survival mode and congratulations...you made it.