Social Business With a (non)Profit

How Can Businesses Be More Charitable and Profitable at the Same Time?

^ Interesting audio interview ^

http://causecapitalism.com/

Social business ventures are not new, but they are an opportunity for businesses to do right by their consumers, their employees, and ideally, their profits. One concept, known as Cause Capitalism, explores ways in which a for-profit entity (the theatre) could extend itself towards supporting a non-profit entity (the cause) and position itself as universally well received from the community at large. Cause capitalism, promoted and fostered by Olivia Khalili, attempts to bridge the gaps between panhandling non-profits and money-grubbing for-profits to create harmony in the eyes of the public.

In one particular blog post, Olivia writes on what she views as the 5 Ways to Create a Socially Responsible & Profitable Company. She explores 5 different business models, which contribute to different causes or simply find ways to treat employees better. Listed below is the 5 different setups.

1. BOGO: Buy-one-give-one
For every product sold, the company donates an exact item match towards a cause. Examples include TOMS shoes and
One Laptop Per Child.

2. Portion of Profits Donated
Most typical way in which companies engage in social responsibility, to provide a portion of the profits to be donated.

3. Transparency/Call-to-action
Publicly charting all progress, both in supporting a cause and in identifying all costs. Additionally, the company (for-
profit) could publicly advocate on behalf of an organization to motivate consumer support.

4. Employee Volunteerism – n/a

5. Employee Incentives – n/a


Social Business Network (MET Group)

http://www.helium.com/items/1646989-how-to-start-a-profitable-socially-responsible-company
http://www.helium.com/items/1650770-social-resonsibility-for-start--up-businesses



By and large, my research has dictated that theatre is typically (almost exclusively) a non-profit venture. Additionally, any specific organization dedicated to a social cause is also non-profit. The goal with Applebox is to have the theatre provide revenue for a non-profit, but I'm starting to realize that it will be difficult for a theatre to provide financial revenue, as it will be difficult for the theatre to even cover their costs alone. An alternative may need to be found, such as service opportunities or volunteering to provide "aid" to the partnering non-profit. At this time, unless a sufficient amount of donors/investors were on board to give their money to the cause, the theatre as it currently stands, with only 1 performance in the summer will not generate enough/any revenue to really be able to provide economic support to an organization.