As graduation day comes knocking on the door for college seniors across the country, the decision will soon have to be made—make money or do good deeds? Why is there such a great divide between the .com money-makers and the .org do-gooders? Social entrepreneurs from across North Texas gathered one recent Friday morning to discuss this very topic with thought-leader, Robert Egger, Founder and President of the DC Central Kitchen.
Mr. Egger was the guest at an invitation only breakfast co-hosted by Spark Club and Social Enterprise Alliance North Texas Chapter (SEANTC). It was an inspiring round-table featuring coffee and pastries donated by It's a Grind Coffee House, a local social enterprise located in the Deep Ellum neighborhood in Dallas.
The room was filled with enterprising minds behind such ventures as Translation and Interpretation Network, Soap Hope, Ability Connection Texas, Café Momentum, Belltower Chapel and Garden, Demeter Project and so many more.
The room was filled with enterprising minds behind such ventures as Translation and Interpretation Network, Soap Hope, Ability Connection Texas, Café Momentum, Belltower Chapel and Garden, Demeter Project and so many more.
Social enterprises connect money and meaning and philanthropy with everyday commerce. And as the gathering of these innovative nonprofit programs suggests, North Texas is leading the way in looking to social enterprises to bridge the divide between .com and .org.
The discussion with Mr. Egger challenged North Texas to continue to support and build social enterprises that combine purpose and profit. As he said in a recent blog post: “Let’s open thousands of new businesses, re-invest in our communities, pay good wages, decrease the need for charity by channeling the market forces of daily commerce for CHANGE and shatter the myth that you have to choose between doing good or making money.”
The discussion with Mr. Egger challenged North Texas to continue to support and build social enterprises that combine purpose and profit. As he said in a recent blog post: “Let’s open thousands of new businesses, re-invest in our communities, pay good wages, decrease the need for charity by channeling the market forces of daily commerce for CHANGE and shatter the myth that you have to choose between doing good or making money.”
Where will you make a change?
For more information on the Social Enterprise Alliance of North Texas visit www.cnmdallas.org/seantc.aspx or http://www.seantc.org/.
Lauren Kearns
SEANTC Intern
Lauren Kearns
SEANTC Intern
Was a great luncheon, Egger was an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome day it was! Robert Egger's comments regarding the economic power that the nonprofit sector wields was particularly impactful. I, too, agree that we should collaborate more as a sector and leverage the total value of our combined resources to affect positive change for social good among lawmakers and leaders. Many thanks for this post, Lauren!
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