Social enterprises are for-profit and non-profit organizations that have social good as a core of their mission. The goal of promoting social good is secondary to financial profits to investors.

A cooperative is a unique entity and tax designation that allocates profits to its members based on their use of the cooperative (called “patronage”). Governance rights are equally distributed among the members. Generally, membership is restricted to one or more type of stakeholder (consumers, vendors, and/or employees).

Beyond their specific social mission, social enterprises and reject consolidating profits and power in a few. These organizations seek to be good employers, good neighbors, and strong partners. We work with projects to realize these goals through direct legal services, policy advocacy, and collaboration.