What is a Social Entrepreneur
Social Entrepreneur Defined
Are you wondering what truly describes a social entrepreneur? Or curious to know they are defined in relation to business entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations? What are the characteristics they share and how are they differentiated? Read and learn that while they may be different, they both have the traits of someone really bound to succeed.
Business and social entrepreneurs have many traits in common. But what makes social entrepreneurs different? How does their work differ from that of nonprofit groups?
Social Entrepreneurs are innovators of solutions to the society's problems. Their work is not only concentrated on a small area, but on a wide scale and they are able to influence entire societies. They are not the ones to wait for the government or the business sectors to change the system to and address social issues. They take upon themselves the task of solving economic and social problems through original ideas. They start with a vision and work that vision out into a reality. Their influence is great such that they change the direction of the field they are working on.
Business v. Social Entrepreneur
Both are drivers of change, one for business the other for society. They both have the ability to seize opportunities that others aren't able to grasp. Since the tasks of both are not easy, social and business entrepreneurs share many common traits like commitment, determination, perseverance, ambition, drive, passion, and resourcefulness. Business entrepreneurs are strong believers of their ideas, and work hard to make their ideas into a reality. In the same way, social entrepreneurs are believers of their vision, but realists at the same time, who are able to transform that vision into practical solutions. But unlike business entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs seek social value rather than earnings.
Nonprofit Organization v. Social Entrepreneur
When compared with non-profit organizations, theirs has a wider scale, is sweeping, sustainable and has long-term effect. Both work for the marginalized and disadvantaged sectors of society. But the work of social entrepreneurs in such fields as education, environment, economy and human rights transcends sectors and discipline.
Famous Social Entrepreneurs
Mother Theresa is an example of a social entrepreneur -- a humanitarian who worked for the sick, helpless, poor, orphaned, and dying for forty five years. Another one, Maria Montessori, is best known for her legacy in education through the Montessori method of teaching children from birth to adolescence. Aside from being a humanitarian, she was also a physician and philosopher. Another is Florence Nightingale who advocated for the improvement of medical care in the infirmaries, caring for the poor and indigent people.
Social Entrepreneurship Awards
The Skoll Foundation has a Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship. This scholarship is awarded to people whose work has the potential large-scale influence on major contemporary challenges like environmental sustainability and peace and security, among others. Created by Jeff Skoll in 1999, it aims to empower people to work for a better world. The application and award process for the Skoll Awards for Social Entrepreneurship runs whole year round.
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