January 2023
Looking for examples of social entrepreneurship to inspire your own work? Each month we feature five nonprofits in the Stand Together Foundation network that represent the best in social innovation.
The Stand Together Foundation community comprises some of the nation’s most effective social entrepreneurs. Instead of looking for one-size-fits-all solutions to address challenges in their communities, they look to the community members who are closest to each issue to generate new ideas. Instead of simply managing the symptoms of problems like poverty, addiction, and mass incarceration, they ask big questions and take healthy risks to get at the root causes.
In other words, these social entrepreneurs aren’t content with the status quo. They’re committed to empowering individuals around them and transforming lives one at a time.
Families Empowered
Families know what their children need to thrive. That’s why Families Empowered gives parents and guardians the tools they need to more effectively navigate the school search process.
Many parents think the school in their neighborhood is the only one available. Families Empowered’s entrepreneurial solution starts by dispelling that myth, and then continues by providing information and knowledge to help families make an educated choice.
National Angels
The foster care system is anything but stable. Children cycle through an average of 6.5 placements in 6.1 years, which holds them back from achieving their full potential. National Angels was founded to reintroduce stability and promote better long-term outcomes.
Their solution involves building a community of support around foster parents and children to alleviate burnout and provide kids with a consistent environment. By focusing on relationships, National Angels ensures that every child feels a sense of belonging and care, and every parent feels seen and supported.
On the Road Lending
How can someone access a reliable car if they don’t have a good credit score? That’s the question On the Road Lending was founded to address. Instead of credit scores, they use social capital and relationships to qualify individuals for auto financing.
Focusing on transportation is an entrepreneurial strategy that enables On the Road Lending to have an even bigger impact: every car means one more person can travel to work, go to medical appointments, shop for food, and visit loved ones. Cars are just the first step to countless possibilities.
Saprea
Saprea, formerly known as The Younique Foundation, is committed to the hard work of healing survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Instead of focusing on fear or shame, Saprea empowers women in their community to liberate themselves from the lasting impacts of trauma.
Saprea identifies three strategic commitments: retreats and resources for individuals who were abused, education for parents and caregivers to better protect their children, and public awareness to eradicate child sexual abuse altogether.
Sky’s the Limit
For Sky’s the Limit entrepreneurs, anything is possible.
The organization was founded on the insight that non-financial barriers (including relationships and skills development) keep potential business leaders from achieving their potential. To fill this gap, Sky’s the Limit matches innovators from underrepresented groups with expert volunteers for coaching and mentorship.
