Social enterprises are innovative businesses that address the long-term needs of our world. Social enterprises can be structured in several ways – non-profit, for-profit or hybrid. Echoing Green, a seed-stage funder of social enterprises has seen an increase in applications of both for-profit and hybrid models. An emerging trend for hybrid social enterprises is building a for-profit and non-profit arm of the social enterprise that furthers the organization’s social agenda. The social enterprise sector in the United States is estimated to be double the size of the mining industry and three to five percent of the United States total gross domestic product. The social enterprise movement soared in 2006 with sixty percent of today’s social enterprises founded after 2006. Social enterprises are tackling the world’s problems. Last year, poverty alleviation and economic development were the top program areas for hybrid and for-profit funding applicants.  

Funding is often referred to as an obstacle for social enterprises. New funding sources are allowing social enterprises the ability to be original and ground-breaking in their funding pursuit. Social enterprises are trending worldwide; something is happening in every corner of the world regarding social enterprises. Consumers are willing to match their wallets and hearts when it comes to spending money with social enterprises. Based on the activities of stakeholders, entrepreneurs, investors, governments, media and consumers, we should continue to see the movement of social enterprises advance.

            Keywords: Social Enterprise, Business for Good, Corporate Social Responsibility, Trends

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