our mission

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.

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SEC Impact Exchange 2026

On April 22, 2026, Social Enterprise Chicago convened an intentionally small, invitation only, focus-group-style conversation, in partnership with Entrenuity, convening leaders collaboratively across the social enterprise, investment, policy ecosystem to voice what Chicago’s impact economy truly needs.

Important topics discussed were: Technological Equity & AI, Political & Government Risk Resilience, Leadership for Sustainable Impact, Business Model Innovation, Advancing Social Policy, and Capital Activation & Impact Investing.

It was inspiring to see so many leaders, innovators, and advocates come together in one room, to share their knowledge, experience, ideas, and perspectives. These events are powerful when people come together to engage in open and honest dialogue about sustainable impact and community growth.

Read the 2026 Chicago Impact Economy Listening Session Report

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What We Do

Growing Mission-Driven Ventures

At Social Enterprise Chicago, we envision a world where social equity and economic opportunity are accessible to all. Our mission is to activate capital, inspire leadership, and foster innovation that transforms communities for generations to come.

Convene the Chicago social-enterprise ecosystem

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. This work includes, but is not limited to, co-hosting events, delivering workshops, publishing content, advancing social policy, providing information on funding, and investment opportunities.

Build capacity through learning, coaching, and partner programs

SocEntChi partners with other organizations that align with the vision of advancing social enterprise initiatives throughout the Chicago area and beyond. We work with colleges and community partners to support

social entrepreneurs, connecting organizations, universities, and technical experts to build shared infrastructures and end organizational isolation without duplicating existing groups.

Connect ventures to resources, visibility, and capital pathways

At Social Enterprise Chicago, we are dedicated to fostering sustainable social enterprises that drive community development. We aim to promote technological equity, leadership development, and policy advocacy to strengthen Chicago's impact economy. Our organization focus is on creating lasting social change by connecting stakeholders and mobilizing resources effectively.

Help Our Cause

Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.

About SocEntCHI

Our Experience

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.

who we are

Our Approach

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:

deploying strategies that seek to maximize social, economic, and environmental benefit in the way they conduct business;
harnessing growing consumer consciousness about and preferences for businesses that act fairly, humanely, and sustainably;
creating ethical buying options for consumers that reflect their values;
promoting corporate practices and policies that are accountable to all stakeholders; and,
expanding the ethical use of, and access to, technology.

core values

Our Approach

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.

We are currently accepting applications to join our board

Apply Now

Welcome

Accelerating a more caring economy by educating, incubating, and investing

our mission

SEC Impact Exchange 2026

Get tickets here for upcoming events or join our newletter

What We Do

Growing Mission-Driven Ventures

Convene the Chicago social-enterprise ecosystem

Build capacity through learning, coaching, and partner programs

Connect ventures to resources, visibility, and capital pathways

Help Our Cause

About SocEntCHI

Our Experience

who we are

Our Approach

Our Approach

Our Approach

core values

Our Approach

Our Approach

We are currently accepting applications to join our board

Capturing Our Mission: A Photo Story of Social Enterprise Chicago

Welcome

Accelerating a more caring economy by educating, incubating, and investing

our mission

SEC Impact Exchange 2026

Get tickets here for upcoming events or join our newletter

What We Do

Growing Mission-Driven Ventures

Convene the Chicago social-enterprise ecosystem

Build capacity through learning, coaching, and partner programs

Connect ventures to resources, visibility, and capital pathways

Help Our Cause

About SocEntCHI

Our Experience

who we are

Our Approach

Our Approach

Our Approach

core values

Our Approach

Our Approach

We are currently accepting applications to join our board

Subscribe

Capturing Our Mission: A Photo Story of Social Enterprise Chicago

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