Welcome
Accelerating a more caring economy by educating, incubating, and investing
"Growing Mission-Driven Ventures"
"Growing Mission-Driven Ventures"
Social Enterprise Chicago acts as a convener, collaborator, and catalyst to empower for-profit, nonprofit and hybrid ventures deploying earned-revenue strategies to create positive social, economic, and environmental change.
The date is approaching fast and we’re making preparations. Don’t miss out, get tickets today!
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The big day may have come and gone, but keep in touch as we’re always up to something new and exciting.
Social Enterprise Chicago is thrilled to invite you to our upcoming event—a fireside chat with the University of Chicago's Provost Katherine Baicker. Join us in person on October 4th as we explore how sustainable healthcare models would leave no one behind while uplifting marginalized communities.
For those attending in person, there will be an open bar and hors d'oeuvres. Virtual tickets are also available, allowing you to network with others on Zoom while watching the live stream of the event.
More details in Eventbrite below
Social Enterprise Chicago is a new, independent not-for-profit organization that builds on the extraordinary legacy of Social Enterprise Alliance’s Chicago chapter. A convener, a collaborator, and a catalyst, Social Enterprise Chicago leverages its thought leadership to empower Chicago area for-profit, nonprofit and hybrid ventures that rely on earned-revenue strategies to advance positive social change.
Among Social Enterprise Chicago’s early initiatives is the Social Enterprise Certificate program co-developed with the University of Illinois at Chicago. Launched in Spring 2019, the program is now in its third iteration, bringing together social entrepreneurs, current UIC business students, and socially impactful leaders, from the community and beyond, in a highly successful 16-week program.
SocEntChi looks to partner with other organizations that align with the vision of advancing social enterprise initiatives throughout the Chicago area and beyond. This includes, but is not limited to, co-hosting events, delivering workshops, publishing content, advancing social policy, funding, and investment opportunities.
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
SEA-Chicago was structured as a regional chapter or affiliate of the Social Enterprise Alliance, a national nonprofit corporation. The decision to establish an independent legal entity was motivated by a desire for greater autonomy and self-governance on the part of local social enterprise advocates.
SEA-Chicago has been among the most vibrant of the Social Enterprise Alliance’s regional chapters, with nearly 100 active members representing metropolitan Chicago’s diverse and thriving social enterprise ecosystem. SEA-Chicago hosted the national Social Enterprise Summit in 2019.
Social Enterprise Chicago is a new, independent not-for-profit organization that builds on the extraordinary legacy of Social Enterprise Alliance’s Chicago chapter. A convener, a collaborator and a catalyst, Social Enterprise Chicago leverages its thought leadership to empower Chicago-area for-profit, nonprofit and hybrid ventures that rely on earned-revenue strategies to advance positive social change.
Decision to Establish an Independent Legal Entity
At its November 19, 2020 meeting, the board of directors of the Social Enterprise Alliance - Chicago Chapter (SEA-Chicago) approved the following resolution:
The board of directors resolves to establish a new nonprofit, tax-exempt entity ...and agrees in principle to work collaboratively with SEA-National to the extent practicable.
Vision Statement
Harnessing the power of enterprise to foster positive social, economic, and environmental change.
Theory of Change
Social Enterprise Chicago believes that social ventures can play a productive role in advancing positive social, economic, and environmental change by:
Community - We believe in the power of social entrepreneurs and other partners to make positive social and environmental change and we celebrate the camaraderie and collective impact of the evolving social impact community.
Equity - We believe social enterprise can expand opportunity and create greater equity and inclusion for all people including those facing racial, economic, and social exclusion and oppression.
Innovation - We seek to accelerate social and environmental progress through creative, market-based approaches to address the unmet needs of society.
Integrity - We promote the highest standards of accountability and transparency in the social enterprise field to honor and build public trust in social ventures.
Sustainability - We seek to promote environmental sustainability, reduce global warming and mitigate the effects of climate change through the concerted efforts of social ventures.
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