Best Social Enterprise
Mondragon Corporation, based in the Basque Country of Spain, stands as the world's largest worker cooperative. It's a federation of over 280 cooperatives, encompassing diverse industries from manufacturing to finance. Mondragons unique governance model prioritizes worker participation and shared p...
The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) is a global network of fair trade businesses committed to upholding the principles of fair trade. Unlike certification bodies, WFTO focuses on the entire business model, assessing organizations based on their relationships with producers, their commitment to...
GiveDirectly is a pioneering nonprofit that sends cash directly to the world's poorest households. By bypassing traditional aid structures and using mobile payment technology, they empower recipients to decide how best to improve their own liveswhether that means buying livestock, repairing a roof,...
Room to Read focuses on improving literacy and girls' education in underserved communities. Their programs establish libraries, train teachers, and provide girls with mentorship and support to stay in school. Their data-driven approach and focus on local ownership ensure programs are culturally appr...
Phare, the Cambodian Circus is a contemporary performance organization based in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Its productions combine acrobatics, theater, dance, music, and visual storytelling, often addressing Cambodian history or social experience rather than presenting a conventional sequence of circus ac...
The Ecology of Commerce explores how businesses can contribute to environmental restoration and economic prosperity. Paul Hawken argues that traditional business models often harm ecosystems and proposes a shift toward regenerative practices. This book is valuable for entrepreneurs, business leaders...
East Van Roasters is a Vancouver-based chocolate maker specializing in small-batch bean-to-bar production, sourcing cacao directly from farms and crafting unique chocolates with distinctive flavor profiles.
Leila Janah was an American social entrepreneur who founded Samasource in 2008. The organization was created to provide digital work opportunities to people living in poverty in developing countries. Her approach combined technology training with employment in data and AI services. She also founded...
The Rainforest Alliance works to protect forests and promote sustainable agriculture. They are best known for their certification programs, which help farmers produce coffee, cocoa, and other commodities in a way that protects biodiversity and supports local communities. By addressing the root cause...
Blake Mycoskie is an American entrepreneur best known for founding the footwear company TOMS in 2006. The company became associated with a one-for-one model under which a product purchase was linked to assistance for a person in need, initially through donated shoes. His work is primarily of interes...
TOMS is a pioneer in the 'One for One' social enterprise model. While they have evolved their model to focus on grassroots social impact, they remain a leader in using retail to fund community development. They provide shoes and other products while reinvesting profits into initiatives that support...
The Hult Prize Foundation is a nonprofit organization fostering global entrepreneurship focused on solving pressing social issues. It provides university students with an annual challenge requiring them to develop and pitch innovative, future-tech solutions as social enterprises. The competition off...
Vertical Harvest operates a multi-level indoor farm in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, utilizing hydroponics and LED lighting to cultivate leafy greens and herbs year-round within a controlled environment, minimizing land use and water consumption.
