Photo Courtesy of TeamUSA.org

With the winter Olympics being broadcast by web and by television – I’m finding it hard to get anything done (at home of course… I’m not at all tempted to check in while at work…).   From the opening ceremonies with tap dancing punk rockers, sparks flying from their feet, to Olympic torches emerging from the floor (3 out of 4 ain’t half bad) to the excitement of the competition – truly awe-inspiring.  It’s fascinating to stories take shape, from the last minute win on the moguls to the Zamboni driving figure skater vying for gold.  It has, however, been the untold stories that are most fascinating to me…

Did you know – each of the bouquets handed out at the 2010 Winter Games are created by a nonprofit that provides work to women re-entering the community after incarceration or drug treatment (Just Beginnings in Vancouver).  Catering services are also being provided by Pot-Luck Catering – a social enterprise that provides work to downtown eastside Vancouver’s hard-to-employ residents.  In considering the bidding and award of these services –the Olympic Committee considered not only price and quality – but also considered social impact.  While environmental impact is increasing considered by business and government in their purchasing process – it’s the most progressive that also consider social impact of procurement.  Canada has facilitated greater government and corporate social responsibility through creation of an online social enterprise purchasing portal and a social enterprise purchasing toolkit (lead by Enterprising Nonprofits).  Nonprofits that operate as a social enterprise blend business and social value, creating a means to effectively (and efficiently) serve the community’s most in need.

Not that we don’t have some equally cool things going on “south of the border” (the Canadian border that is).  The “social enterprise” concept isn’t a new one to our community either – some amount of research would direct you to agencies such as MDI, Lifetrack Resources, AccessAbility, Midwest Special Services, RISE, amongst others.  These programs have long occupied the “social enterprise” space (the founder of MDI, John DuRand, actually wrote a book on the subject – the “Affirmative Enterprise”), finding significant success in blending business with social value.

Government procurement of services and products has also been modeled through the AbilityOne program, in which $2.3 billion (yes – BILLION) per year is exchanged with nonprofits for goods and services (these are not grants for services – these are purchases for products and services – from medical supplies  to office supplies and furniture – over 3,000 different products produced by high barrier communities).  Despite this example – there are multiple opportunities to expand on socially responsible procurement processes (for government, for-profit business and nonprofits alike – see a great blog on this at REDF).  As nonprofit resources become scarcer – it’ll be creative blending of business and philanthropy that may offer a means to address increasing need amongst decreased resources.  The opportunity to contract with nonprofits for goods and services is still largely a hidden gem – one which offers opportunity to forward Minnesota’s commitment to creating opportunity for all community members.

If you’re interested in more information – there is a wealth of knowledge right in our community, on the web, and in text. Here’s a few I’d recommend:

-          The Social Enterprise Network organized by MAP for Nonprofits and the Nonprofit Assistance Fund.

-          Missions, Inc by Kevin Lynch Executive Director of Rebuild Resources

-          Capitalizing on Convergence (an article by Roberto Gutierrez who recently presented at a gathering hosted by Neighborhood House on Social Enterprise).  Great article that describes the move towards “transactional” and “integrative” relationships between business and nonprofits.

-          Article on John DuRand, Founder of MDI

-          MNWorks! a group of nonprofit employment service providers who seek to increase opportunities for adults with disabilities.

-          Creative Capitalism: A Conversation with Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, and other Economic Leaders by Michael Kinsley.  Maybe not directly in the spirit of social enterprise – but related.  Gates describes Creative Capitalism as blending of self-interest (profit) and recognition (philanthropy) suggesting “In markets where profits are not possible, recognition is a proxy; where profits are possible, recognition is an added incentive.”  Thought provoking if nothing else – and dead-on in its recognition that philanthropy and government alone cannot fully address the needs of our communities.

If there are others that you’d recommend – please add in the comments section!