towardsabetterunderstandingofsocialentrepreneurship（7页）.docVIP

FILENAME \p C:\My Documents\ccsd\grum-paper\new-land\Social Entrepreneurship.doc PAGE PAGE 7 HYPERLINK .uk .uk Towards a Better Understanding of Social Entrepreneurship Some Important Distinctions Jerr Boschee and Jim McClurg In this short article the authors outline the four key distinctions that differentiate non-profit social entrepreneurial organisations from other types of charitable non-profit organisations who claim to be making use of social entrepreneurial approaches. Towards a Better Understanding of Social Entrepreneurship Some Important Distinctions Jerr Boschee and Jim McClurg Contents: Introduction Four Key Distinctions The differences between “entrepreneurship” and “social entrepreneurship” The differences between “sustainability” and “self-sufficiency” The differences between “earned income strategies” and “social purpose business ventures” The differences between “innovators”, “entrepreneurs” and “professional managers” Some Final Thoughts Social Enterprise Definition Further Information Introduction “Social entrepreneurship” is one of the most misunderstood phrases in the non-profit sector today. Everybody, it seems, has a different definition of what it means. This is our attempt to bring some clarity to the discussion. Our perspective has been shaped by 50 years of experience in the field, one as head of a national consulting firm and the other as the chief executive officer of a US$ 15 million social enterprise. Twenty years ago the idea of non-profits acting in an entrepreneurial manner was anathema to most people in the sector: The idea of merging mission and money filled them with distaste. But the phrase “social entrepreneur” is bandied about freely these days. British Prime Minister Tony Blair praises the emerging tide of “social entrepreneurs” that is changing the face of England’s voluntary sector and senior executives in the independent sector talk about “social entrepreneurs” in the United States who find new and exciting ways to