A social enterprise is organization or company that sells products or services in order to solve an environmental or social problem.

Social Enterprises can be both nonprofits and for-profits alike. What makes a social enterprise different from a traditional business or enterprise is its approach to seeking profits.  Nearly every social enterprise employs one or more of the following models: Social by sharing, by selling, and by sourcing/staffing.

These businesses, startups, or nonprofits have committed to integrating social impact as a legal component of their business model by declaring Public Benefit Corporation status, certifying as a B Corp, or adding earned revenue as a nonprofit.

Social Enterprise Minneapolis St Paul shares more on the legal structures and core components online here.

Can Can Wonderland

Social Enterprise Model: Public Benefit Corporation
Impact Areas: Economic Development, Arts & Culture

Located in St. Paul's Hamline Midway neighborhood and the Creative Enterprise Zone, Can Can Wonderland combines art and play to create a one-of-a-kind arts immersive environment for people of all ages to enjoy. As one of the first arts organizations in Minnesota to become a public benefit corporation; social purpose is at the core of Can Can Wonderland’s mission to be an economic engine for the arts.

Element Gym

Social Enterprise Type: Specific Benefit Corporation
Impact Areas: Economic Development, Youth & Education, Food & Health

Element Gym is a social enterprise gym and fitness company dedicated to boldly standing against and fighting inequalities. Building equality through exercise, The Element Foundation was established in partnership with Element Gym to help improve the health and fitness of children in the Twin Cities through community based educational programming, philanthropy and scholarship opportunities.

Sunrise Banks

Social Enterprise Type: Public Benefit Corporation + Certified B Corp
Impact Areas: Economic Development

Sunrise Banks, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, seeks to radically change the way urban communities and people thrive by empowering them to achieve financial wellness. Sunrise is certified by the U.S. Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), a designation earned by approximately 100 banks nationwide. Sunrise is committed to rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency as a Certified B Corp and was named to the Best for the World honoree list for the 6th time.

Tech Dump / Tech Discounts

Social Enterprise Model: Commercial Nonprofit
Impact Areas: Environment & Consumption, Workforce Development.

Tech Dump is a social enterprise that provides jobs and training to people who face barriers to employment, such as previous incarceration, addiction, and/or homelessness, and protects the environment by responsibly diverting electronic waste through recycling and resale of discounted electronics at their retail arm, Tech Discounts.

Appetite for Change

Social Enterprise Type: Commercial Non-profit with multiple social enterprises
Impact Areas: Food & Health, Workforce Development

Appetite For Change is a community-based, food-justice organization in North Minneapolis. It trains local youth in urban farming, food preparation and leadership, with a focus on providing career pathways to the foodservice industry and beyond. Appetite For Change also owns and operates Breaking Bread Café & Catering - a restaurant and job training program serving healthy, global comfort food - and Kindred Kitchen - a rental commissary kitchen and food business incubator.

Juxtaposition Arts

Social Enterprise Type: Commercial Nonprofit
Impact Areas: Youth & Education, Economic Development

Juxtaposition Arts (JXTA) is an education program, teen-staffed design social enterprise and locally rooted cultural development center founded in 1995. JXTA creates community building and economic development opportunities that unleash the creative genius of young people on the Northside of Minneapolis.