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50 Social Business Breakthroughs

An Eye-Opening Exploration of Ethically Inclined Business Ideas

— March 6, 2011 — Social Good
Although we are still only in the process of clambering out of one of largest and most profound economic downturns the world has ever seen, this impressive collection of social business breakthroughs is a refreshing reminder that there are plenty of companies and business leaders out there who care about more than merely profit at any cost.

From companies like the GAP using social media sites such as Facebook for charity-driven marketing to architectural firms building Rwandan hospitals free of charge, this gathering of social business breakthroughs highlights the remarkable business initiatives that manage to balance ethical and economic concerns simultaneously. As you will see from looking through these inspiring examples, the misconception that the two are mutually exclusive is rapidly going out of style.
6.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
49
Charitable Twitter Booze
Charitable Twitter Booze
Bid on Signed Fledgling Wine Bottles and a Meeting with Biz Stone
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48
Charitable Crowd-Funded Films
Charitable Crowd-Funded Films
The Heartbreak Fund Promises to Give 50% of Profits to Charity
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47
Credit Card Donations
Credit Card Donations
The SwipeGood Model Automates Small Contributions for Big Change
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46
Social Business Info Portals
Social Business Info Portals
Via3 Offers Publicity and Networking for Ethical Companies
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45
Check-In for Charity
Check-In for Charity
The Foodspotting Spotathon Challenge Feeds Those in Need
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44
Search Engine Charity
Search Engine Charity
Google Donates $250,000 to iGotITtoo to Digitally Underserved Communities
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43
Extreme Billionaire Donations
Extreme Billionaire Donations
‘Giving Pledge' has Mark Zuckerberg Donating Most of His Wealth
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42
Comprehensive Vision Care Access
Comprehensive Vision Care Access
Aravind Eye Hospital Combats Needless Blindness in Rural India
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41
Market-Oriented Non-Profits
Market-Oriented Non-Profits
Acumen Fund Uses Entrepreneurial Strategies to Fight Global Poverty
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40
Charitable Location-Based Apps
Charitable Location-Based Apps
Every Check-In Changes the World with the CauseWorld App
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39
Dramatic Social Enterprises
Dramatic Social Enterprises
13th Theatre Company Uses the Performing Arts to Build Confidence
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38
Alternative Loan Products
Alternative Loan Products
Fair Finance Offers Affordable Banking to Urban Populations
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37
Collateral-Free Microcredit
Collateral-Free Microcredit
Muhammad Yunus's Grameen Bank Has Revolutionized Finance
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36
Social Business Rehabs
Social Business Rehabs
San Patrignano Offers Free Programs for Those with Addiction Problems
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35
Social Advisory Firms
Social Advisory Firms
Intellecap is a ‘Think and Do' Tank With Market-Based Strategies
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34
Community-Focused Palestinian Produce
Community-Focused Palestinian Produce
Zaytoun Imports Organic and Fair Trade Products
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33
Sustainable Communications Agencies
Sustainable Communications Agencies
Neo Helps Social and Environmental Organizations Succeed
<
32
Socially-Conscious Online Bookstores
Socially-Conscious Online Bookstores
Better World Books Aims to Alleviate Poverty Through Literacy
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31
Social Change Investments
Social Change Investments
The Ethical Property Company Provides Affordable Offices
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30
Social Enterprise Magazines
Social Enterprise Magazines
Beyond Profit Provides Content to Spark Positive Change
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29
Social Media Shopping Ads
Social Media Shopping Ads
Get Gap Foursquare Deals with Just a Click of the "Follow" Button
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28
Ethical Ad Firms
Ethical Ad Firms
Do Good Advertising is Socially and Environmentally Conscious
<
27
Social Entrepreneur Associations
Social Entrepreneur Associations
‘Ashoka: Innovators for the Public' is World-Changing
<
26
Charitable Sanitary Napkins
Charitable Sanitary Napkins
Sustainable Health Enterprises Distributes Low-Cost Feminine Pads
<
25
Charitable Playboy Fashions
Charitable Playboy Fashions
These Marc Jacobs For Playboy Shirts Support Designers Against AIDS
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24
Fair Trade Bulk Apparel
Fair Trade Bulk Apparel
Epona Clothing Supplies Ethical Tees for Charities, Schools & Businesses
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23
Purpose-Based Marketing
Purpose-Based Marketing
‘Advertising for Good' Has a Social Mission
<
22
For-Profit Social Ventures
For-Profit Social Ventures
The TOMS Shoes Movement Creates Customer-Philanthropists
<
21
Handcrafted Sustainable Tea
Handcrafted Sustainable Tea
Namasthe Tea Co. Creates an Ethical Balance
<
20
Charitable Champagne Galas
Charitable Champagne Galas
The Moet Chandeliers Ball is a Lavish Access Agency Production
<
19
Fair Trade Shea Butter
Fair Trade Shea Butter
Delapointe's Products are Made by Women in Burkina Faso
<
18
Fair Trade Cocoa
Fair Trade Cocoa
Divine Chocolate is a Social Business Partly Owned by Its Farmers
<
17
Luxury Ethical Cosmetics
Luxury Ethical Cosmetics
Bubble & Balm Creates Locally-Manufactured Fair Trade Products
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16
Community-Driven Workspaces
Community-Driven Workspaces
The Centre for Social Innovation Promotes New Ideas
<
15
Children's Charity Shops
Children's Charity Shops
The 'Me to We Store' Launches in Toronto, Ontario
<
14
Smallholder Coffee Farmers
Smallholder Coffee Farmers
Cafedirect Builds Communities Through Social Business
<
13
Fair Trade Beverages
Fair Trade Beverages
LemonAid is a Chic Social Business with a Conscience
<
12
Tweeting Charity Scarves
Tweeting Charity Scarves
Twitter Knitter Uses Social Media to Keep the Cold & Needy Warm
<
11
Handi-Capable Cabs
Handi-Capable Cabs
Diamond Cab is Hong Kong's First Wheelchair-Friendly Taxi Service
<
10
Save the Dolphin Jewelry
Save the Dolphin Jewelry
The Temple St. Clair Dolphin Pendants and Rings Give Back
<
9
Positive Impact Retailers
Positive Impact Retailers
Blue Button is a Social Business Making a Mark
<
8
Open Air Libraries
Open Air Libraries
This Incredible Karo Architekten Design is a Public Repository Like No Other
<
7
Patriotic Charity Sneakers
Patriotic Charity Sneakers
The Air Jordan I Retro DW is Designed by Artist Dave White
<
6
Eco Charity Condoms (UPDATE)
Eco Charity Condoms (UPDATE)
Sir Richard's Condoms Are a Philanthropic Pleasure
<
5
Designer Disease Campaigns
Designer Disease Campaigns
Marc Jacob's 'Protect the Skin You're In' Ad Stars Marissa Miller
<
4
Accessible Bamboo Bicycles
Accessible Bamboo Bicycles
Zambikes International Creates Jobs and Transportation in Zambia
<
3
Beer Bottle Bricks
Beer Bottle Bricks
The Heineken Wobo is a Booze Bottle That can Also be Used for Building
<
2
Celebrity Charity Calendars
Celebrity Charity Calendars
the L'Oreal 2011 Hairdressers Against Aids Pushes Awarenes
<
1
Fair Trade Underwear
Fair Trade Underwear
Pants to Poverty is a Hip Social Enterprise That Raises “Underwearness"
<