This list recognizes Minnesota-based organizations,
both for-profit and nonprofit alike, who are intentionally making a positive social and environmental impact.
Each year our community gathers to hear the stories behind our region’s top social enterprises, meet the extraordinary leaders who started them and see how purpose drives these organizations to greatness. Thank you to all the 80+ nominees, all listed below, who are contributing to the purpose-driven economy!
2020 Featured Social Enterprises
Butter Bakery Cafe
Butter Bakery Cafe is an independent cafe and general benefit corporation in the Kingfield Neighborhood. In addition to striving to be a zero-waste business, BBC provides training and employment for young adults who have experienced homelessness, paying fair and equitable wages with a no-tip compensation model, and supporting local farmers. Read more.
North Market
North Market is a full-service grocery store, a center for wellness, and a community gathering place, all under one roof. With a mission to nourish and inspire people to live full healthy lives, North Market is the center of a closed-loop food ecosystem addressing persistent health and wealth disparities in the region, centering people, while building their vision for a thriving North Minneapolis. Read more.
The Lift Garage
The Lift Garage is a non-profit auto-garage with a holistic approach that gives customers a vehicle out of poverty. Their employees are trained in human services, recognizing that a lack of transportation can have other consequences on the individual's ability to work, attend school, or access critical services including healthcare and childcare. Read more.
2020 Impact List By Social Enterprise Model
THE NOMINEES:
PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATIONS & B CORPS
This list of organizations and businesses have committed to integrate social impact as a legal component of their business model by declaring Public Benefit Corporation status and/or have undergone a rigorous evaluation through B Corp certification that measures a company’s social and environmental performance.
Mobility 4 All, GBC
NEW RULES® GBC.
Peace Coffee*
Pimento Relief Services*
Proactivism, GBC
Project Nandi / Technologist Computers, SBC
SHEMA Apparel, GBC
Social Impact Strategies Group*
Software for Good, GBC
Swim Possible, SBC
thedatabank, gbc
Trade Center of Americas, PBC
We Sparkle, PBC
Beehive Strategic Communication, GBC*
Binary Bridge, SBC
Black Women's Wealth Alliance, SBC
Breathe 99, PBC
Brown Venture Group*
Butter Bakery Cafe, GBC
Can Can Wonderland
Events by Lady K, GBC
Finley's Barkery, SBC
Hanadi, SBC
Hippy Feet, GBC*
Iuvo Companies, SBC
La Doña, SBC
* indicates Certified B Corp
THE NOMINEES:
COMMERCIAL NONPROFITS
Breaking the mold of tradition, these nonprofits have diversified their income and added an innovative revenue source, welcoming them into the world of business for good. For them social enterprise is a powerful complement to other activities by advancing the social mission and the financial independence of the work they do each and every day.
Juxtaposition Arts
Lift Garage
Minnesota International NGO Network (MINN)
North Market
Pollen Midwest
Spark-Y Youth Action Labs
Stories Foundation
The Good Acre
Tree Trust
Urban Ventures
Wildflyer Coffee
All Square
Cookie Cart
Elpis Enterprises
Emerge - Second Chance Recycling
EOS International
Eureka Recycling
Girls are Powerful
Green Garden Bakery
Hmong American Farmer's Association
Impact Hub MSP
THE NOMINEES:
SOCIAL BUSINESS
This list includes the many organizations, startups, and consultants that identified with a social mission that are using purpose to redefine what it means to run a successful business. While they are not all legally bound by their social purpose, their mission is integrated into every aspect of their work.
FINNEGANS Brew Co.
FINNOVATION Lab
Flava Cafe
GogyUp
GoodCarts
Hack the Gap
HWMR
Isadore Nut Company
K Mama Sauce
Kindly
Planting People Growing Justice Press and Bookstore
The Price Dynamic
Seraph
SOMA
WeCo Accessibility Services
All Are Welcome Here
Beingful
Bim Bam Boo
Bizarre Solutions, LLC
Black Garnet Books
Brailleazy
Bus Stop Mamas
Ceiba Forte Law Firm
Coco Canary Consulting, LLC
Coconut Whisk
Dedicated CRI
Du Nord Craft Spirits
Epimonia
Essence One
Ethos
Feminist Book Club
Fight for Something
Supported by:
Thank you to our sponsors and supporters who have made this event possible
.