Stanford Social Innovation Review

International development organizations spend lots of money and effort building the capacity of small businesses. Yet they often fail to ask whether people want the businesses’ goods and services. As these stories from Peru show, successful programs start with real buyers who are willing to buy real products.

Nonprofits and businesses are converging - in the value they create, the stakeholders they manage, the organizations they form, and the financial instruments they use.  The era of convergence is upon us.  Do you know how to take advantage of it?

Organic Exchange uses its global network to promote environmentally friendly fibers.

A guide for nonprofits.

How the Union Bank of California attracts lower-income people to traditional banking.

Larger social service organizations may result in less innovation.

Social entrepreneurship has come to be synonymous with the individual visionary – the risk taker who goes against the tide to start a new organization to create dramatic social change. The problem with focusing so much attention on the individual entrepreneur is that it neglects to recognize and support thousands of other individuals, groups, and organizations that are crafting solutions to troubles around the globe.

A rare study shows how earned income helps agencies –- and how it doesn’t.

Moving toward a sustainable model.

Civil society may not be in such bad shape.

Variation is the rule when it comes to foundation expenses and compensation.

A Czech social enterprise uses woodworking to help drug addicts.

How an all-natural Mexican farming cooperative is improving its community while making a bundle.

Why a promising social franchise collapsed.