Social enterprise
Running a business that supports a charity not only creates a stream of revenue that’s within their control, it can also help the charity’s mission. Offering products and services (rather than just asking for donations) is a great idea, as they increase awareness and raise funds. It also creates a two-way relationship that's based on more than giving money.
The social sector is booming in the UK, with collaborative workspaces and cafes, bars and shops being set up and run using a social enterprise model. They generate their income through trading, but reinvest profits to fund their social or environmental activities.
But these projects aren’t just sources of funding. They can also provide work or volunteering experience for service users, and a point of access for people new to the charity. A great example of this is Old Spike Roastery in Peckham, a social enterprise that we’ve supported with social investment. They generate income from selling coffee to train and employ people who have been affected by homelessness.
Offering training courses is a popular commercial approach, and a course run by a charity is an appealing idea for many people. You can use your knowledge to raise funds and spread the word about your charitable activities at the same time.
Delivering training courses harnesses the expertise and insights of a charity’s staff and volunteers, tapping into a resource they already have. Attendees gain knowledge and skills, and they’ll also come away much more informed about what the charity does and why. For example, organisations like St John Ambulance and the Red Cross run first aid courses so businesses can get their first aiders trained.
Running a business can also help charities to get more in tune with potential corporate sponsors, as they’ll be facing some of the same challenges and may have business relationships in common.