What does it mean to start a social enterprise

Government resources and charitable donations cannot address the world's social problems by themselves. Government funding is becoming scarce and will never fully satisfy Canada's social and environmental needs. As a result, Canada's charitable and non-profit sectors are significantly underfinanced and undercapitalized. Some charities and non-profits are looking to social enterprises (SEs) as a way to diversify their funding base in today's marketplace. At the same time many organizations readily admit that they do not fully understand what it would mean to develop a social enterprise. Will it be the right fit for their organization? Do they have the skills, staff and capacity to start a social enterprise? Just like any small business, will the enterprise grow and thrive in the marketplace? This Primer is designed to provide organizations with some guidance as to what it means to start a social enterprise.