Social Enterprise Chicago

Social Enterprise Chicago, in collaboration with the Cook County Commission on Social Innovation, invites the Chicago-area evolving social impact ecosystem dedicated to positive change to a FREE symposium on Friday, April 4th. Discover innovative programs and partnerships to maximize your community impact in Cook County. This is a valuable learning and networking opportunity. Please share and see you there!

Register here:

Social Enterprise 2025 Get ready for Social Enterprise 2025, where experts will gather to share ideas, inspire innovation, and network like never before.

Hello everyone!

We're excited to hear from you! Chicago is looking to improve how we support social entrepreneurs, and we need your help. We've put together a quick survey to understand how we can better serve those interested in making a positive impact.

Whether you're already involved or just curious about social enterprises, your input is valuable. By sharing your thoughts, you'll help shape our future initiatives and resources.

Take a few minutes to fill out the survey and join us in making a difference!

https://forms.gle/KPxA6t8DcwGu4daH8

Thank you for your support!

Would you like to learn ways to mobilize people, ideas, organizations, and resources? Andrea Sáenz knows all about this, and we are lucky to be hosting a 2 hour conversation with her today at 6PM CST.

This event will be hosted by our very own Marc J. Lane. He will be talking with Andrea about her time as the CEO and President of The Chicago Community Trust, social entrepreneurship, and much more. This event is free, so all you need to do is register! We hope to see you there!

Marc Lane’s Virtual Fireside Chat with Andrea Saenz of CCT Join us for an online conversation with Andrea Saenz from Chicago Community Trust and Marc Lane of Social Enterprise Chicago on January 25

One more day to register! Tomorrow at 6PM CT, Marc J. Lane will be hosting a virtual fireside chat with Andrea Sáenz of The Chicago Community Trust. Please join us!

Marc Lane’s Virtual Fireside Chat with Andrea Saenz of CCT Join us for an online conversation with Andrea Saenz from Chicago Community Trust and Marc Lane of Social Enterprise Chicago on January 25

2 days until Marc J. Lane’s virtual fireside chat with Andrea Sáenz of The Chicago Community Trust. Register while there’s still time!

We hope to see you there!

Marc Lane’s Virtual Fireside Chat with Andrea Saenz of CCT Join us for an online conversation with Andrea Saenz from Chicago Community Trust and Marc Lane of Social Enterprise Chicago on January 25

If you are attending Marc J. Lane’s interactive virtual fireside chat next Thursday, we would love to know what topics you’re excited to hear about! Comment below!⬇️

If you haven’t yet, register here:

Marc Lane’s Virtual Fireside Chat with Andrea Saenz of CCT Join us for an online conversation with Andrea Saenz from Chicago Community Trust and Marc Lane of Social Enterprise Chicago on January 25

There is still time to join us for Marc J. Lane’s virtual fireside chat with Andrea Sáenz, the CEO and President of The Chicago Community Trust. Register while there’s still spots available!

Marc Lane’s Virtual Fireside Chat with Andrea Saenz of CCT Join us for an online conversation with Andrea Saenz from Chicago Community Trust and Marc Lane of Social Enterprise Chicago on January 25

2 weeks until Marc J. Lane’s virtual fireside chat with Andrea Sáenz, the CEO and President of The Chicago Community Trust. There is still time to register! The event will be from 6-8PM CT.

The Chicago Community Trust receives high acclaim for its success in maximizing the impact of philanthropic giving. We will explore this topic and more!

More details and registration here:

Marc Lane’s Virtual Fireside Chat with Andrea Saenz of CCT Join us for an online conversation with Andrea Saenz from Chicago Community Trust and Marc Lane of Social Enterprise Chicago on January 25

Only 21 days left until our virtual fireside chat with Andrea Sáenz, the CEO and President of The Chicago Community Trust. Make sure to reserve your spot before they all get taken! We really hope to see you there.

You can register and find all the details here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/marc-lanes-virtual-fireside-chat-with-andrea-saenz-of-cct-tickets-775628795607

Happy New Year! Get ready to kickstart 2024 with us by joining a virtual fireside chat featuring the amazing Andrea Saenz, the CEO and president of The Chicago Community Trust . Our very own CEO and President, Marc J Lane , will be hosting this event.

The Chicago Community Trust is all about advancing equity, opportunity, and prosperity for everyone. They're actively working on bridging the racial and ethnic wealth gap in the region through a three-part strategy. We're super excited to dive into this topic and so much more!

For registration and more details, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/marc-lanes-virtual-fireside-chat-with-andrea-saenz-of-cct-tickets-775628795607

Please join us on January 25th, 2024 for a virtual fireside chat with Andrea Saenz, CEO and President of Chicago Community Trust. The event will be hosted by our CEO and President, Marc J. Lane.

Marc is excited to explore how The Chicago Community Trust, one of the nation's largest and oldest community foundations, mobilizes people, ideas, organizations, and resources.

*This is a free event*

For tickets and more details, please visit:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-fireside-chat-with-andrea-saenz-of-chicago-community-trust-tickets-775628795607

Hey everyone, quick favor! Please vote for our film "Prevention Through Engagement" at the KINO Film Festival. It's all about tackling the fentanyl crisis with an innovative approach from Warp Corps. Your support means a lot! 🙌

👉 Vote here: [https://kino.studio/film-fest/films/ptefilm]

🎬✨

Nonprofits are always seeking methods for optimizing their assets and competencies. Please join us on 11/30 as Marc J. Lane and Brian Jenkins present legal and financial strategies which help non-profits build capacity. Hope to see you there!

Learn the legal and financial strategies that can increase your nonprofit's capacity and effectiveness. Join Marc J. Lane and Brian Jenkins on November 30th for a workshop that can mean the difference between "doing well" and "going strong." Hope to see you there!

Please join us tomorrow night for our fireside chat on healthcare reform as Marc J. Lane and Katherine Baicker, Provost of the University of Chicago, for an insightful conversation. Tickets are available via Eventbrite.

Driving Positive Social Change Through Equitable Healthcare Reform A fireside chat with the University of Chicago's Provost Katherine Baicker and Social Enterprise Chicago's Marc J. Lane.

You are invited to join us on 10/4 at Roosevelt University for our fireside chat on driving positive social change through healthcare reform. Join Marc Lane and Katherine Baicker, Provost of the University of Chicago, for an insightful conversation.

Driving Positive Social Change Through Equitable Healthcare Reform A fireside chat with the University of Chicago's Provost Katherine Baicker and Social Enterprise Chicago's Marc J. Lane.

Social Enterprise Chicago would like to invite you to next week's fireside chat with the University of Chicago's Provost Katherine Baicker.

Join us in person on October 4th as we explore how sustainable healthcare models would leave no one behind while uplifting marginalized communities.

Tickets are available for purchase via Eventbrite - please be sure to reserve your seat.

Driving Positive Social Change Through Equitable Healthcare Reform A fireside chat with the University of Chicago's Provost Katherine Baicker and Social Enterprise Chicago's Marc J. Lane.

Social Enterprise Chicago encourages you to register for our October 4th fireside chat on Driving Positive Social Change Through Equitable Healthcare at Roosevelt University on October 4th. Join Marc Lane and the University of Chicago's Provost Katherine Baicker as they discuss how sustainable healthcare models would leave no one behind while uplifting marginalized communities.

Katherine Baicker serves as the Provost of the University of Chicago, where she is also the Dean and Emmett Dedmon Professor at the Harris School of Public Policy. An esteemed health economist, her research focuses on the effects of public and private health insurance on the distribution, use, and cost of healthcare. She is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and the Council on Foreign Relations and has served on the faculties of Dartmouth College, the University of California Los Angeles, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Marc J. Lane is a nationally recognized business, nonprofit and tax attorney who represents social enterprises and their stakeholders. He chaired Gov. Quinn’s Task Force on Social Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Enterprise and serves as Vice Chair of the Cook County Commission on Social Innovation. Mr. Lane is the author of 36 books including Social Enterprise: Empowering Mission-Driven Entrepreneurs (American Bar Association) and The Mission-Driven Venture: Business Solutions to the World's Most Vexing Social Problems (John Wiley and Sons). Marc Lane is the President of Social Enterprise Chicago.

Social Enterprise Chicago is a convener, a collaborator, and a catalyst. Its mission is to empower for-profit, nonprofit, and hybrid ventures deploying earned-revenue strategies to create positive social, economic, and environmental change.

Reserve your space via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/driving-positive-social-change-through-equitable-healthcare-reform-registration-700809769887

Check out this recent Crain's Chicago Business profile of Social Enterprise Chicago's Marc Lane, highlighting his career and efforts.

A pioneer in doing well while doing good considers decades of corporate activism and tells what lies ahead Attorney Marc J. Lane has long championed the now-trendy practice of bettering society while earning profits.

Our fireside chat is quickly approaching, and you won't want to miss out!

Join us for a conversation with UChicago Provost and renowned health economist Katherine Baicker as we explore how healthcare reform can lift disadvantaged communities.

🎟Secure your tickets: https://bit.ly/41Ap57r

Speaker Spotlight: Katherine Baicker

Join us virtually or in person on June 28th as we explore how sustainable healthcare models would leave no one behind while lifting up marginalized communities.

🎟 Secure your tickets: https://bit.ly/41Ap57r

Join us virtually or in person on June 28th as UChicago Provost Katherine Baicker and Attorney & Author Marc J. Lane explore how healthcare reform can lift disadvantaged communities.

🎟 Tickets available now: https://bit.ly/41Ap57r

Social Enterprise Chicago is thrilled to announce its next event—a fireside chat with the University of Chicago's Provost, Katherine Baicker, and Attorney & Author Marc J. Lane. Join us virtually or in person on June 28th as we explore how healthcare reform can lift disadvantaged communities.

🎟Tickets available now: https://bit.ly/41Ap57r

Do AI and automation contribute to inequality in entrepreneurship?

Discover how these rapidly growing technologies can contribute to inequality in entrepreneurship and explore potential solutions to this evolving problem in Maija Renko's latest blog entry.

Read about it below. 👇

Entrepreneurship, Inequality, and the Impact of Artificial Intelligence — Maija Renko Businesses of all kinds will be impacted by the development of AI, especially as it become increasingly sophisticated and trusted. However, not all entrepreneurs will be impacted in similar ways.

SocEntChi board member, Walter Mendenhall IV, spoke with WBBM News radio to discuss his personal journey, his motivations for starting the Male Mogul Initiative, and the organization's impact on the lives of young black men in Chicago.

Read the inspiring interview below. 👇

https://bit.ly/3n8nckj

Former NFL player guiding Chicago area youth with all encompassing mentorship program Walter Mendenhall said a Chicago career day event in 2016 was the catalyst for the Male Mogul Initiative which targets young black men who he describes are “on the margins, not an honor roll student and not the worst of the worst.”

Join the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center for a FREE and eco-friendly experience at The Hale Sustainability Conference, happening April 25th at DePaul University.

You'll have opportunities to:

🌎 Learn about eco-sustainability
🤝 Network with other social entrepreneurs
🗣 Learn from various speakers + Q&A

Plus, much more!

🎟 ADMISSION IS FREE, and spots are limited. Reserve yours today! ⬇

The Hale Sustainability Conference at DePaul University Join us for this eco-sustainability event featuring an involvement fair, speakers, networking, activities and a raffle!

Your story matters! Share it with us. Sign up to be our social enterprise of the month!

Your enterprise story will be:

Emailed to our network. 📧
-In an email dedicated to highlighting your enterprise.
-Sent to over 4,000 business professionals from our email list.

Featured on our website. 🌐
-Posted to our front page for the entire month.
-Added to our enterprise story library.

Shared on our social media. 📱
-For our extensive list of partners and stakeholders.
-With an opportunity to promote your upcoming projects with our network.

Interested? Email us at [email protected] with your website and a short description of your social enterprise.

Women-owned businesses are on the rise, and much of America’s current startup boom is due to women starting businesses. However, women face disparities in access to funding and resources compared to men.

SocEntChi board member Maija Renko shares her opinion on this growing topic in her article for Crain's Chicago Business.

Discover:
-The importance of supporting women entrepreneurs.
-Recommendations for how to do so.

Read the article below ⬇

Opinion: Here's how to support women entrepreneurs We need to change the narrative around capital raise as a metric of startup success and provide child care and elderly care options that are flexible, affordable and sustainable.

Certified B Corps & Benefit Corporations are designations that demonstrate a company's commitment to meeting high social and environmental standards. Jeremy Kritt discusses the two in his latest report.

Learn about the following:
-Requirements for designation
-Differences between the two designations
-Benefits of each

View the article below⬇

https://www.marcjlane.com/news/2023/04/03/2023-lane-reports/declaring-yourself-as-a-b-corp-or-benefit-corporation/

Designers have traditionally focused on enhancing the look and functionality of products. Recently, they have begun using design tools to tackle more complex problems.

In the Stanford Social Innovation Review, Tim Brown and Jocelyn Wyatt describe that while businesses were first to embrace this new approach—called design thinking—nonprofits are beginning to adopt it too.

Check out the article below⬇️

https://ssir.org/articles/entry/design_thinking_for_social_innovation

Michael Strautmanis of the Obama Foundation and Marc J. Lane discuss and provide their insights into social enterprise in our latest inspiring Fireside chat.

Topics discussed include:

-Leadership/Mentorship
-Social Change
-Corporate Social Responsibility
-And much more!

📽 Watch the full conversation below:

Fireside Chat with Michael Strautmanis and Marc Lane A fireside chat between the Obama Foundation’s Executive Vice President of External Affairs Michael Strautmanis and Attorney & Author Marc J. Lane. Join us v...

There are still tickets available for this evening's fireside chat with Michael Strautmanis and Marc J. Lane!

Avoid increased prices at the door by using the code "SOCENTCHI" for $15 off in-person tickets!

🎟 Get Tickets: http://bitly.ws/BGiw

💡 New Board Member Spotlight

Welcome, Walter Mendenhall, to the SocEntChi Board of Directors!

💡 New Board Member Spotlight

Welcome, Alberto Rincon, to the SocEntChi Board of Directors!

💡 New Board Member Spotlight

Welcome, Adam Engle, to the SocEntChi Board of Directors!

💡 New Board Member Spotlight

Welcome, Paul Hunter, to the SocEntChi Board of Directors!

New year, new announcements! 🙌

Join us in welcoming three new members to the SocEntChi Board of Directors!

Do you want to tell the story of your social enterprise? We want to hear it! Sign up for a candid and unscripted conversation with one of Social Enterprise Chicago's (SocEntChi.com) Board members to present your social venture, your dreams, and your path to the social enterprise community in the Chicago area. This interview will be posted on SocEntChi’s website and will also be available on our social media for our extensive list of partners and stakeholders. To sign up for Social Enterprise Stories, please reach out to [email protected] with your website and a short description of your social enterprise.”

Do you want to tell the story of your social enterprise? We want to hear it! Sign up for a candid and unscripted conversation with one of Social Enterprise Chicago's (SocEntChi.com) Board members to present your social venture, your dreams, and your path to the social enterprise community in the Chicago area. This interview will be posted on SocEntChi’s website and will also be available on our social media for our extensive list of partners and stakeholders. To sign up for a Social Enterprise Stories media, please reach out to [email protected] with your website and a short description of your social enterprise.”