Think Fast! Help us find an alternative to “nonprofit.”

Victor - May 16, 2006 11:18 am (#1 Total: 115)


I hear that in some English-speaking countries, they call it the Third Sector (the other two sectors being government and business).

Victor - May 16, 2006 11:19 am (#2 Total: 115)


How about the Voluntary Sector?

gmeta - May 16, 2006 12:12 pm (#3 Total: 115)


Great question and one I've pondered a fair bit.

How about "mission-based corporation"

... that's what most are in fact under 501(c)(3)

and what I call them on my new site: webguides.org

LenoreE - May 16, 2006 12:31 pm (#4 Total: 115)
Conversations on Philanthropy


Cornuelle (1965) proposed "independent sector" to describe a space for human institutions neither purely "private" nor governmental.

However, "in"-dependent is also a negative term, which defines the sector against government rather than in terms of its positive purposes! I'm eager to hear what others can suggest from a positive perspective!

Lenore Ealy Series Editor, Conversations on Philanthropy www.thephilanthropicenterprise.org

Bryan Taylor - May 16, 2006 12:34 pm (#5 Total: 115)


Social sector. The good guys. White hats. For-good. Charity.

davidschappell - May 16, 2006 2:08 pm (#6 Total: 115)


I really like the idea of nonprofits being relabeled as Social Impact organizations. Not sure if it fits in all instances, but it seems to be more of our goal (i.e. our goal isn't to not make money... but rather to make a social impact)

David Unitus

LenoreE - May 16, 2006 2:22 pm (#7 Total: 115)
Conversations on Philanthropy


The question arises how one measures "impact." PROFIT clearly describes a critical metric. Is there a universal metric of this sort across the sector we're trying to describe?

neek - May 16, 2006 3:54 pm (#8 Total: 115)

I was thinking, "Humanitarian Sector", but I do like Social Sector, good one David!

anastaj - May 16, 2006 4:04 pm (#9 Total: 115)
BuildingBlocks International

Agreed, we are the only sector defined by what we DON'T do - make a profit.  I like the idea of defining ourselves by what we actually do.  Create social change by building support where there was none - in every community around the world. Any other thoughts?

Marguerite - May 16, 2006 4:30 pm (#10 Total: 115)

In her book, BEYOND GLOBALIZATION - Shaping a Sustainable Global Economy, alternative economist makes a good case for developing a Civic Society which should take a rightful place between government and the private sector as the "third leg in the stool".    

 

moveforward2006 - May 16, 2006 8:21 pm (#11 Total: 115)
CreativeConcepts, Kathmandu

What better name than this organisation's name itself "social edge organisations" to replace non-profit organisations.  Or maybe "social profit" or "social gain".  Anyhow, the word social is I think a must. - CreativeConcepts, Kathmandu

 

mohammad - May 16, 2006 11:19 pm (#12 Total: 115)
Ahsan


To increase social capital for expand the structure of public and private and with all sectors population. To stop ignorance in every way and stop every discrimination from the total social structure will be perfect social edge for civic sense.

Sigward von Laue - May 16, 2006 11:33 pm (#13 Total: 115)
SEKEM Initiative, promoting development


Why not develop Mohammad and Marguerite's suggestion further and call the organisations: Civil Society Organisations (or CSO)?

(Civil-, Public and Private Sector)

mohammad - May 17, 2006 12:01 am (#14 Total: 115)
Ahsan

Total citizen is part of civil society where the public are leaders.

reinhild - May 17, 2006 12:17 am (#15 Total: 115)
Policy For Africa


I also liked some of the other suggestions!

rmariagn - May 17, 2006 5:01 am (#16 Total: 115)
Rajendran mariagnanam


so see all profit (social profit)

caseycl - May 17, 2006 5:35 am (#17 Total: 115)
Ph.D. Candidate, Public Policy Studies


I like the ideas underlying "Civil Society" but when I think of "Civil Society," I envision the various sectors pulling together to accomplish a goal.  I think the third sector has a role in instrumenting the relationships and fostering civil society.   Therefore, I think it is important to keep the term in line with the other two terms, the public sector and the private sector. 

Melinda Henning - May 17, 2006 5:48 am (#18 Total: 115)

Social Purpose Enterprise

Jim Sheehan - May 17, 2006 6:03 am (#19 Total: 115)
Ohio City Bicycle Co-op


This is what we are to the IRS, and it is attractive: who wouldn't want to be exempt from taxes?

andjellg - May 17, 2006 7:29 am (#20 Total: 115)
Engineers for Development (Ingenieros por el Desarrollo)


Finally, all of us are willing to improve or to create social capital where it doesn´t exist.

mohammad - May 17, 2006 7:42 am (#21 Total: 115)
Ahsan


To build financial capital firstly which will be increased povertyless hand. The MFI and stakeholders making difference in every spaces. Now the time for youth empowerment everywhere. Where the ignorance available . The social mentors, org can be lead the opportunity.

ErnestO - May 17, 2006 10:13 am (#22 Total: 115)

Henrique Bussacos - May 17, 2006 7:06 pm (#23 Total: 115)

For Common Good

Instead of being not for something, what about being for what is needed?

mohammad - May 17, 2006 10:16 pm (#24 Total: 115)
Ahsan


Need social movement for employment to all.

Robin Harris - May 18, 2006 12:14 am (#25 Total: 115)

We had this debate in England a couple of years ago, specifically to do with social enterprise, as oppose to other non-profits. Not-just-for-profit seemed like it fit because social enterprises have to make a profit but its what they use it for that counts.

moveforward2006 - May 19, 2006 7:50 am (#26 Total: 115)
CreativeConcepts, Kathmandu

Some for profits also qualify as social enterprises, such as those practicing fair trade, employing the disabled, running social programs, etc.  For instance, is Microsoft a purely for profit? Isn't there a growing trend towards the convergence of financial and social profit? To add some more to the growing list of suggested names -- for profit social enterprises, purely social enterprises.

 

surya prakash.Vinjamuri - May 20, 2006 1:53 am (#27 Total: 115)
Life-Health Reinforcement Group

I see what matters is being available in the time of need - all sectors- have a role, Are you available? without conditions, is the question one should ask themselves.

mohammad - May 20, 2006 2:25 am (#28 Total: 115)
Ahsan


All sectors together with the responsible to eradicate the poverty where ignorance available. We haven't availability of food, wood, road, ict, finance, knowledge. We can get it through proper availability of all sectors togetherness.

tau - May 22, 2006 3:53 pm (#29 Total: 115)
Universal Strength Foundation

Still my favorite. Says it all, short and descriptive.

 

 

 

mohammad - May 23, 2006 6:08 am (#30 Total: 115)
Ahsan


Ngo's can connect ngo's, bank can connect ngos and private sectors. If we want to make climate change through knowledge, then we can get better agriculture, food, ict. All the matters make sustainable employment. Social eneterprise can be sustained through it.

tomdavid - May 23, 2006 1:06 pm (#31 Total: 115)


I believe Peter Drucker coined this one, but I like it, and have used it for a while now, in lieu of "nonprofit"

LisaTaylorBWC - May 23, 2006 1:07 pm (#32 Total: 115)

Social Profit

Community Sector

Sector for the Common Good

Not for Personal Profit (as we are NOT anti-profit)

Public Benefit Sector

Sector for Community Benefit

 

Hannah Apricot - May 23, 2006 2:55 pm (#33 Total: 115)


-- a term coined by Lynn Twist. After all, most of the work we are trying to describe it designed to benefit the society. It is a term I have adopted, and people really like it.

esther - May 23, 2006 4:44 pm (#34 Total: 115)
At Help, Heal & Learn


PROJECT SHARE GLOBALLY, everyone for equality , share in the harvest and wealth of the plant. Rich- Poor= PROJECT GLOBAL SHARING in all needs to live in human dignity. If only there were a GLOBAL TAX that paid into feed and education and health care access too all.

kmniazi - May 24, 2006 6:32 am (#35 Total: 115)
Development Professional


Some of the other suggestions are also good. however, I think, all of us, aid workers, health workers, development workers etc make people's lives better by reducing poverty, improving health, increasing education etc. So my suggestions:

Lives Enhancers, Quality Promoters, Lives Promoters, Futures Builders, Utopia Makers,

Declan Jones - May 24, 2006 6:34 am (#36 Total: 115)
Social Enterprise Institute

NFP and NP relate to (some) activities and legal status respectively.

MTP relates to the enterprise orientation and the double/triple bottom line of our sector(s) organisations. It also establishes the causal link between making money and reinvesting it in social mission or returning it to some stakeholders as appropriate (credit unions come to mind).

Some of the other terms above, could be used by Nike or your local police force, so don't differentiate our organisations sufficiently from the public and private sectors.

Declan Jones, Director, Social Enterprise Institute, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland

dyansen - May 24, 2006 7:39 am (#37 Total: 115)


"developmemt ventures/projects", High social economic Impact" HighSE impact. Around MIT people have been recently using the word Develpment" as a short hand to describe double bottom line ventures. It would be helpful to stop using the term non-profit altogether.

frhnli21 - May 25, 2006 8:02 am (#38 Total: 115)

Community building in its true form really is what all non profits do-and it sounds very royal!

Charles Cameron aka hipbone - May 28, 2006 9:41 am (#39 Total: 115)
HipBone Games / Rheingold Associates

Pro-BONO, perhaps, with the BONO part all in caps?

; )

Robert Daoust - May 30, 2006 9:02 am (#40 Total: 115)

Hi Charles, and others...

Eve Sullivan - May 30, 2006 9:24 am (#41 Total: 115)


Why not this two-word, informative title? The social sector is all about relationships. This is brief, blunt and to the point and avoids the negatives of 'non-governmental' organization and 'not-for-profit' agency. Three sectors: public, private and social. Eve Sullivan, founder of PARENTS FORUM

AngelMOM - May 30, 2006 12:46 pm (#42 Total: 115)

It is: not personal profit + not non profit + not for profit =  it is  for:  

community profit

claudiah - May 31, 2006 6:57 am (#43 Total: 115)

public benefit corporation

defines what nonprofits do to help society and denotes that public benefit corporations hold the same respect, legal status and powers as other corporations.

jiminmichigan - Jun 8, 2006 6:40 am (#44 Total: 115)


It sounds cheesey, like what someone would come up with in a marketing meeting, but I bet it would be quick to be picked up; it doesn't confuse with semantics, and it refers to the fact that the organization is for profit, but looks beyond that single traditional bottom line to others that are just as important.

ashwinnaik - Jun 11, 2006 6:41 am (#45 Total: 115)


This came from one of our customers. We are a for profit entity, and he suggested that we strive for honorable profit!

midiberry - Jun 13, 2006 3:41 pm (#46 Total: 115)
Freeplay Foundation


gets my vote! We NPOs would then become SPOs and our alter ego can be Strongly Pareto Optimality!

KristiM - Jun 14, 2006 5:53 am (#47 Total: 115)

Social Capacity Builders

Social Equity Investors

Social Capitalists

Patrick O'Heffernan - Jun 20, 2006 8:35 pm (#48 Total: 115)


it is quick, easy, and works well in email and text messages

Jeff.Mowatt - Jun 20, 2006 9:33 pm (#49 Total: 115)
P-CED


Is what we chose, to emphasise that profit is measured in terms of people, not money.

shutzele - Jun 21, 2006 7:16 am (#50 Total: 115)

Agreed, we are not "non" anything. We are all about progress and added value. Our sector does the work that is not always profitable or even appealing for large corporations and too burdensome for governments thus we provide a benefit to society. Great question and I continuously refer to our work as social benefit. perhaps we can start a movement to rename ourselves here.

futureisnow - Jun 29, 2006 2:14 pm (#51 Total: 115)
Marguerite

Personally, I'm all about playing up the inherent ability of such ventures to force social change in a community like the various forms of natural selection Darwin witnessed so long ago on the Galopegos- Community Evolutionary Projects.

But I actually like Social Benefit best I think :)

nancyfash - Jun 30, 2006 8:32 am (#52 Total: 115)


I really this is most appropriate-

changegirl - Jul 10, 2006 12:09 pm (#53 Total: 115)


because regardless of your venture or enterprise the end purpose is for more people to recognize their own abilities and contribute their talents.

SongSharing - Jul 20, 2006 10:20 am (#54 Total: 115)
Making Music More Accessible

Community Profit / Community Gain Org / Better Than Profit Org / Social Centered or Social Centric or Social Focus

By the way I am not humiliated using the term non-profit.  I am thrilled.

jlabau - Jul 26, 2006 11:30 am (#55 Total: 115)


Simple, positive, and distinct.

tuesdaygutz - Jul 29, 2006 1:08 am (#56 Total: 115)
Tuesday Gutierrez


just an idea

boundlesscuriosity - Jul 30, 2006 9:22 am (#57 Total: 115)


Whenever I type in .org I know it is different than .com but not the negative of .com

And non-profits are businesses with a mission, values, short- and long-term objectives, operating programs, programs in development... you know what I mean!

DKennedy - Aug 12, 2006 3:07 am (#58 Total: 115)


An economic system in which "Consumer Capital", formerly know as profit, is owned by consumers who contributed the access money, and are then "Consumer shareholders" of the Consumitist corporation which uses the "Consumer Capital" for purposes of economic growth and innovation.  Hard to explain in one sentence.

DKennedy - Aug 12, 2006 3:13 am (#59 Total: 115)


Hard to explain an economic theory that took years to develop in one sentence, but I'll try: Consumitism is a non-profit economic system, in which "Consumer Capital" - money in exess of cost - is owned by the consumer who contributed said money, and becomes a "Consumer Shareholder" of Social Equality Inc., which uses the Consumer Capital for purposes of economic growth and innovation, based on a democratic process of consumer voting.   

Arcadian - Aug 17, 2006 5:48 am (#60 Total: 115)
Location: Oxford, UK


Microfinance delivered in mix of cash/'community' currency within the context of community-based trade-exchange networks.

Barter is good cultural 'fit'; alternative currency = cheap source of finance. I would call this a 'Social Profit model'

SS - Aug 17, 2006 12:41 pm (#61 Total: 115)


Public Benefit Organzation (PBO) is a combination of ideas already posted.  It works!

SS - Aug 17, 2006 3:51 pm (#62 Total: 115)


Make that "Public Benefit Organization (PBO)"

Dharma Dancer - Aug 22, 2006 2:38 pm (#63 Total: 115)


We are in a world in which new technologies often are obsolete before they're even deployed. This requires thinking about leapfrog technologies -- technologies that go beyond traditional next steps. In developing countries you generate energy at the village or building (distributed generation) scale thus eliminating the need to create a costly grid that can be rendered obsolete. Similarly, we need to consider leapfrog philosophies. A beyond profit organization is an organization of any structure (NGO, business, etc.) that seeks to achieve environmental sustainability, economic prosperity and social equity beyond considerations of profitability.

Arcadian - Aug 25, 2006 6:40 am (#64 Total: 115)
Location: Oxford, UK


I would question the aim of disposing of the word 'profit' from the definition of NPOs etc. While the O.P is correct to seek to move away from negative connotations, those connotations are only negative because they are defined in opposition to what "profit" has come to mean (i.e purely monetary, sefish and greedy).

My OED gives the etymological root of Profit from the Latin profectus meaning 'progress', from proficere 'to advance', pro,on behalf of + facere, do.

So rather than finding a convenient euphemism for non-profit, we need to reclaim the original meaning of profit and reunite it with the meaning of progress by doing/acting on behalf of others. Which when one thinks about it, gives the voluntary/'Fourth' Sector a more legitimate claim on the word profit than the private, corporate sector.

Recent social history provides us with many examples of where a community has taken a word with negative connotations (e.g queer) and reclaimed it as their own. We need to do the same with the notion of profit. Why should the selfish have a monopoly on it?

djcoombs - Aug 26, 2006 12:27 am (#65 Total: 115)


If the private sector is "for profit" and consists of "for-profit" organizations, then the non-profit or independent sector is primarily "for mission" and could consist of "for-mission" organizations. We could therefore use the following names: private sector vs. the mission (or independent) sector, and for-profit organizations vs. for-mission organizations. Make sense?

jwood - Aug 27, 2006 1:21 am (#66 Total: 115)


Take the "c" from 501(c)3 which might also stand for "charity" and give it back power. Robin Hood used a Capital Collaboration and it seemed to work out for the merry men.  Outcome measures for stakeholder! Dollars for dollars!

Kristen - Aug 30, 2006 2:04 pm (#67 Total: 115)
FYD Productions


Humanly beneficial.

Kristen Hicks

Dyerman - Aug 30, 2006 5:45 pm (#68 Total: 115)


Combining ideas of Dharma Dancer, Arcadian and others above.

davidfrayne - Sep 1, 2006 10:19 pm (#69 Total: 115)
Providing more accurate real estate valuations


As opposed to "I Profit"

Laurinda - Sep 4, 2006 8:17 am (#70 Total: 115)


We were also looking at an alternative ... currently we are using a "For-benefit" phrase to describe our group efforts and market positioning. (Same reason ... we didn't like the negative connetation)

Laurinda - Sep 4, 2006 8:21 am (#71 Total: 115)


How about .. "BVO" ... blended value organisation?

Laurinda - Sep 4, 2006 8:23 am (#72 Total: 115)


IVO = Integrated value organisation

Reena - Sep 7, 2006 2:05 pm (#73 Total: 115)


It's not actually my idea, I've heard it before and like it alot.

ErrolG - Sep 17, 2006 11:03 am (#74 Total: 115)


Problem with "non-profit" is that not only is it negative, it is not exclusive (the government is also a non-profit!) and finally, it is half-wrong (the model of governance the non-profit has comes from business). My suggestion is that as much as business can be seen as "for profit", government can be seen as "for power" and our sector as "for passion". Errol errol@xe4.org

Robert Egger - Sep 25, 2006 10:08 am (#75 Total: 115)
DC Central Kitchen


I like "Community Corporation".

seabear - Sep 26, 2006 6:11 am (#76 Total: 115)

My friend and mentor Kay Sprinkel Grace has been using "public benefit corporation" for years, I like "social benefit" rather than public, and I like "Corporation" rather than "organization."  The latter sounds too squishy to me...

How 'bout it? "Social benefit corporation"? 

Scott Edward Anderson
"The Green Skeptic"TM
seabear3@msn.com
www.greenskeptic.blogspot.com
www.scottedwardanderson.com

 

 

Robert Egger - Sep 29, 2006 11:38 am (#77 Total: 115)
DC Central Kitchen


If any of you are really into a new name, and what a new direction and attitude could accomplish, then consider joining in at the upcoming Nonprofit Congress (www.nonprofitcongress.org). 500 delegates from across the country will be coming to Washington to debate topics that have arisen at town hall meetings that have been held all over the U.S, over the past 18 months (114 to date). We will then forward realistic steps that can be taken locally and nationally. I guarentee--finding a name to replace the tired, boring, outdated and inaccurate term nonprofit is on the list.

All are welcome....while only delegates will be able to vote, your voice can be heard.

Crazy? You bet....but working together is sure smarter than each of us slugging it out alone.

HelloCREATIVITY - Oct 2, 2006 8:28 pm (#78 Total: 115)
Lori Heinsman

A friend calls this "Meaningful Work."   Try it out a few times -- it has staying power, and everybody gets it.  
----
Curious about the drawing -- visit us at www.hellocreativity.com -- we're doing meaningful work to help children build self-confidence through creative expression and online mentoring.

 

pamlogan - Oct 3, 2006 9:01 am (#79 Total: 115)
Kham Aid Foundation

...but now that my organization actually pays me, I can't say that anymore.

How about calling it "development"?

khanson - Oct 3, 2006 12:12 pm (#80 Total: 115)


Great discussion topic!  I've been annoyed by the term "non-profit" for a very long time, and especially after reading George Lakoff realized how important it is for the sector to assert its contributions.  I've been advocating the term "social benefit organization" (SBO) for a while now. 

john k - Oct 9, 2006 9:05 am (#81 Total: 115)


Change Organization:

Whether it is for social benefit, charity, or other public purpose, all organizations, formerly known as non-profits, are involved with bringing about a change.

Eliml - Oct 11, 2006 10:02 am (#82 Total: 115)


Very good topic! I like "profit for humanity organization". It is in the same line but more positive and describes the idea of the organizations.

gmeta - Oct 11, 2006 1:17 pm (#83 Total: 115)


Gordon, http://gmeta.com

gmeta - Oct 11, 2006 1:20 pm (#84 Total: 115)


Human Benefit Organization ... or has that one already been taken? :)

Dominique Callimanopulos - Oct 12, 2006 4:03 am (#85 Total: 115)
Elevate, Inc.


Lynn Twist deliberately promotes the use of the term "social profit". I use it too, in my company: www.elevatevents.com.

arabianmonkey - Oct 26, 2006 7:10 am (#86 Total: 115)
filmmakers change everything!


- Human Good Org.

- People Value Org.

- People Profit Org.

Seamus Carlin - Nov 1, 2006 3:26 am (#87 Total: 115)

I agree in moving away from the negativity of not-for-profit/nonprofit.  Profit in itself is fine, albeit from a social sector perspective maybe "social proceeds" or "social returns" might infer more +ve thinking!?

mattkepple - Nov 2, 2006 9:59 am (#88 Total: 115)
aged 23, British, founder of Wahblo.com

How about COMMUNITY PROFIT

I'm the founder of Wahblo.com, which launches in Feb 07, and the idea is that it will be a professional, accountable, transparent fundraising organisation; but one which is allowed to make a profit. However these profits will be used to benefit the community!

 

Attachments:

machoo.jpg (5 KB)

Cecilia Regueira - Nov 2, 2006 3:34 pm (#89 Total: 115)


for social profit or socially profitable

Make It So - Nov 3, 2006 12:28 am (#90 Total: 115)

If you give to a Non-Profit you are a... ??? 

     Non-Profiteer?

And you can be said to work in the field of... ???

    Non-Profiteering? 

If you give to a Civic Investment Organization or Company you are a ???

     Civic Investor

And you can be said to work in the field of... ???

     Civic Investment

("Philanthropist" just is not a very cuddly-sounding word! If you didn't already know what "philanthropist" meant, what would be your most humorous guess? How about... an ape-like university researcher that is part philanderer and part rapist?)

     One can work for, volunteer with, donate funds or services to, and seek help, support, or partnership with a... Non-Profit Firm, Organization, Partnership, Corporation or Company.

     One can work for, volunteer with, donate funds or services to, and seek help, support, or partnership with a... Civic Investment Firm, Organization, Partnership, Corporation or Company.

Hmmm, the term "Social Investment" might be considered as well, then one gets;

Social Investment Firm, Organization, Partnership, Corporation or Company.

     To me, the word "Social" does not sound very personal nor nearly as community-focused as "Civic."

     "Civic" is fresher, newer, more modern, and it even has a few popular books with appealing, homey titles like, "Bowling Alone." This and a few other popular books and recent mainstream articles wax poetic and give statistics all about it, One can even still pick up a "Bowling Alone" by Putnam at ones local bookstore. "Civic" isn't over-used. Books relying on use of the word "civic" don't fill whole wings of libraries as is the case with the word "social."  "Social" is diluted and weak-sounding from over-use, and has a bad case of brand overexposure and dilution which makes it a bland, soft-sounding, wallflowerishly invisible kind of word. It is also overly broad, with a bit of a nose-in-the-air, pretentious, high-brow, educated-folk, must relate to something very liberal, university-ish, air to it.

 

Patrick O'Heffernan - Nov 6, 2006 10:58 am (#91 Total: 115)


"Civic" in the US is associated with "government", voting etc. Whatever the term is needs to translate internationally. "Social Benefit Organization" (SBO) may work better because "Benefit" in English-speaking countries often refers to perks that you earn as part of your job -- thus edging closer to the private sector and away from entitlement. And "Social" is understood in many countries as referring to the non-profit-for-the-benefit-of-society sector, and thus does not carry any negative baggage. In the US, "Social" likely no longer dredges up thought of "socialism", but refers to "society" and has positive inflection of "being social" -- i.e., affable and entertaining. However, "organization", while quite acceptable in many countries, does carry some baggage in English-speaking countries, especially the US, especially when teamed with words like "socia" and "benefits" (is this a union??).

I would recommend "Social Benefit Corporation" (SBC)as an alternative. My reasons are: - social works across many national lines and carries little, if any negative connotation - benefits work across many national lines, carry positive benefits - corporation avoids the naegative baggage in some countries, avoids being automatically reverted to "non-profit organization", and is in fact true -- organizatiosn must incorporate in most countries, although the incorporation type and class varies with non profits and for proits. I think the best argument for SBC is that it forces the user and the receiver to rethink their own paradigm of organizations and focus on the Social Benefits, rather than on the organizational form.

Also, in selecting a name, we should keep in mind that for the most part, around the world (expect perhaps in Italy) "non-profit" refers to an organization whose primary objective is to support some issue or matter of private interest or public concern for non-commercial purposes...key word is NON-COMMERICAL, not non-profit. So I like SBO. I may try it in my blog and see how it feels

cbaumgartner - Nov 11, 2006 10:48 pm (#92 Total: 115)

Mission-Driven Organization (vs. "profit-driven")

or Vital Services Organization

Patrick O'Heffernan - Nov 12, 2006 11:27 pm (#93 Total: 115)


not that there is anything wrong with government, but most agencies consider themselves mission driven, even when their mission is not necessarily beneficial to humanity

Della Works - Nov 13, 2006 12:12 pm (#94 Total: 115)

Since working and volunteering for "non-profits", my new business name should be "Della Works for Next to Nothing."  That's why I like the designations, "social investment" or "community investment" organization.  Investment seems a good way to look at what I do for next to nothing.

amilewski3 - Nov 15, 2006 12:13 pm (#95 Total: 115)
Aaron Milewski

fellows,

a Profit Plus Organization used to describe the economic and social investment, and the returns both economically and socially as positive measurable impact on society. Venture philanthropy at its finest.

Green Phoenix 

"The Rebirth of Ideas" 

Attachments:

grnphx01.JPG (18 KB)

amassally - Nov 24, 2006 12:00 pm (#96 Total: 115)


I wonder if we just can't make do with "Social Enterprise, Social Entrepreneur, Social Corporation" as a subject understood term to mean not-only-for-profit companies.

Betsy Dew - Nov 29, 2006 1:56 pm (#97 Total: 115)

My vote is for Social Investment.  I agree that Civic sounds more government related. It's hard for corporate America (or other country) to get serious about underwriting something called "non profit".

The idea of running an SIO is appealing.  We run an SIO dedicated to performance enhancement for organizations focused on parents with children from birth to 5.  Semantics is important.  Many thanks for allowing this conversation!

Jeff.Mowatt - Dec 6, 2006 5:14 am (#98 Total: 115)
P-CED


Not just a name either, his "more than full cost recovery" definition

http://www.grameen-info.org/bank/socialbusinessentrepreneurs.htm

Dennis Jaffe - Dec 16, 2006 9:19 am (#99 Total: 115)


How about: Community Improvement

I like civic investment, too. I understand how it's seen as more governmental/political though.

My hesitation with social investment is I would guess that people dedicated to protecting wildlife wouldn't see their cause as related to social ... can "social" include animals? Or, more importantly, would it be seen as including animals?

Community ... social .... civic .... improvement or investment is what I'd like to emphasize.

Dennis

JoelF - Dec 18, 2006 5:18 am (#100 Total: 115)

NGOs and Civil Society: Some Realities and Distortions the challenge of "Necessary-to-Governance Organizations" (NGOs) http://www.laetusinpraesens.org/docs/ngocivil.php

Conceptual Distortions from Negative Descriptors The possibility that "non-governmental" may be comprehended as "anti-governmental" in some language http://www.laetusinpraesens.org/docs70s/74anti.php

FilmPhotoWeb - Dec 19, 2006 12:03 pm (#101 Total: 115)
Is there anything else?


Public Profit: as opposed to Private Profit, which is how I see for-profit businesses operating. Chris

julia - Dec 25, 2006 6:46 am (#102 Total: 115)


I think we need a new word. Civic is too goverment. Social is to marxist. Community profit is too much like profit.

how about gain?

business for profit vs business for gain.

Not-for-profit CEO's Wife - Dec 28, 2006 9:47 pm (#103 Total: 115)


I like Public Profit. I'm suggesting either People Profit (as in, "all the people profit") or Community Profit.

Julia, I like Gain, but I immediately think of laundry detergent (no offense intended). It needs something more...Public Gain or People Gain or Community Gain.....

Christy

Craig_Common_Ground - Jan 4, 2007 8:43 am (#104 Total: 115)


I have been using the term social-profit, rather than non-profit, for about ten years to emphasize the importance of our sector. Our work actively creates benefits for society, it generates a new kind of profit, and it adds value. This language better captures the work that we do and it often resonates well with individual donors.

mccuneprizm - Jan 9, 2007 8:14 am (#105 Total: 115)


socio-profit

JD.Mumma - Jan 9, 2007 5:11 pm (#106 Total: 115)


Brilliant discussion!!! I agree 100% that the name Non-Profit tells what you are against and not what you are for. It leaves most Non-profits with an image of survival instead of thrival, as well as implying weakness and a dependency on handouts to survive.

We like to say we are a "Poly-Profit Company - A For Profit For the Good of All."

I like "Social", "Public", "Socio", "Civic", "Community" and "Vital"... yet these names usually imply just a focus on humans and not the animals, plants and environment... in the mind of the reader. For the same reasons I do not think "Social Entrepreneur" is an appropriate title and I hope it get correted before it get to far out in the mind of the general public.

At this moment I like Poly-Profit or Multi-Profit. Then you can tell people in what sector(s) you help to profit - Individuals, social, environment, animals... JD(at)HumanExcellence.com http://www.HumanExcellence.com

csntenen - Jan 16, 2007 5:47 am (#107 Total: 115)

Mur - Jan 16, 2007 5:38 pm (#108 Total: 115)


How about "Greater Good Investment" or GGI? Isn't that the outcome desired?

Gary Vizzo - Jan 19, 2007 1:25 pm (#109 Total: 115)


Maybe in place of profit & non-profit: private business (bottom-line concerns), social business (social entreprises and most now labeled as non-profits) & charitable business (the few having fund needing managed but not raised)  

inspired - Jan 26, 2007 4:48 pm (#110 Total: 115)

Philan-profit (relating to philanthropic)

Social-profit

Earth-profit

KarlM - Jan 28, 2007 9:02 am (#111 Total: 115)

Shouldn't the importance of the organization/service be measured by a tangible benefit other than profit?

I'd suggest Alternate Benefit Organization (ABO) for groups that provide value that cannot be measured by profit.

Dinah Lin - Jan 28, 2007 7:18 pm (#112 Total: 115)


Delete profit from any name, ingrained as financial term denoting currency.  The bottom line here is Benefits, of various kinds for various constituents (including animals, environment etc). Better descriptive word for alternate is community (which can be small to universal), thus: Community Benefits Organization.

Goingskiing - Jan 29, 2007 2:24 pm (#113 Total: 115)


What do you think about social reinvestment? The way I see it, traditionally labeled 'not for profits' are really taking their 'profits' and rolling them into the continued greater good of their agenda...

Community reinvestment or

kyramontgomery - Jan 30, 2007 4:29 pm (#114 Total: 115)

There are three sectors in the USA: Public (government), Private (for-profit companies) and the Third Sector (nonprofits, associations, churches, etc.).  I therefore refer to nonprofits as being in the Third Sector, as I also learned in my Masters program in Nonprofit Management (or The Third Sector Management...;).

Kyra Montgomery, MNM

bcanada - Jan 31, 2007 1:03 pm (#115 Total: 115)


Sometimes it is quite powerful to say what you don't do.

Consider nonviolence and nonconformist.

Some should keep using it. For others, Public Profit or P2 works well.