Social Entrepreneurship

Social Entrepreneurship: A Practical Introduction, 2nd Edition, equips aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools needed to design and launch organizations that create positive social change in their communities. This accessible textbook demonstrates that social enterprises are a valuable part of the community development toolbox.

Readers will gain practical knowledge on key aspects of social entrepreneurship, including value creation, business planning, impact measurement, and scaling up. The book presents different social enterprise business models with analysis of their strengths and weaknesses, enabling readers to select the most effective approach for their context. Updated cases and examples showcase real-life social enterprises across North America, South America, Europe, Australia, Africa, and the Caribbean, while discussion questions support reflection and learning. A downloadable workbook provides practical support with checklists and social impact measurement tools, and an instructor manual containing test questions and experiential exercises is available as a digital supplement for adopters.

This book is ideal for students taking introductory courses in social entrepreneurship and community development at undergraduate and graduate levels. It will also be valuable for practitioners, community organizers, and anyone involved in launching or managing social enterprises on the ground who seeks a practical guide to creating sustainable social impact.

Rasheda L. Weaver, PhD is the Founder of the International Institute for Social Entrepreneurship (IISE). She conducted the first large-scale empirical study on the social, economic, and legal activities of social enterprises in the United States. She was an Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Iona University and an Assistant Professor of Community Entrepreneurship at the University of Vermont. In 2023, Dr. Weaver joined the Global African Descent Social Entrepreneurship Network sponsored by the Biden-Harris Administration. Dr. Weaver’s book “Social Entrepreneurship: A Practical Introduction” is a seminal work in the field of social entrepreneurship. Both her book and her signature training program called the “Ready, Set, Launch: Social Enterprise Bootcamp,” have been effective tools for advancing revenue-generation and social impact among social entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders.