Top Reads in Social Entrepreneurship

The emergence of social entrepreneurship as a major disrupted force in the world of global problem solving has brought with it an emerging literature that ranges from anecdotal to inspirational to instructive. The books and articles below represent some of the best.

How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas (2004)

David Bornstein

The book that helped launch “social entrepreneurship” into the mainstream, “How to Change the World” provides fundamental background on the evolution of the field by profiling a number of innovative social entrepreneurs and the organizations like Ashoka that support them.

The Power of Unreasonable People: How Social Entrepreneurs Create Markets that Change the World (2008)

Pamela Hartigan and John Elkington

In some ways a natural evolution from the earlier How to Change the World, this work focuses more on the way that social entrepreneurs are tapping into the financial potential of the worlds poorest to create both economic and social value.

Startup and Change the World: Guide for Young Social Entrepreneurs (2007)

S. Dev Appanah and Sunit Shrestha

Like rain in the desert, this freely downloadable work goes beyond just trying to define the characteristics that make up a social entrepreneur and instead helps readers with practical advice on business planning, fundraising and more. It is aimed at youth but relevant for anyone with more ideas than experience.

The Blended Value Map: Tracking the Intersects and Opportunities of Economic, Social and Environmental Value Creation (2004)

Jed Emerson and Sheila Bonini

This essential and indispensable work situates social entrepreneurship and enterprise in the larger context of a growing conversation and collaboration between the traditional for-profit and nonprofit sectors.

Social Entrepreneurship: The Case for Definition (2007)

Roger L. Martin and Sally Osberg

An article essential for understanding the ongoing debate about how to define “social entrepreneurship” and for understanding that debate’s implications for the field as a whole.

Just Another Emperor? The Myths and Realities of Philanthrocapitalism (2008)

Michael Edwards

Even the most ardent supporters of social entrepreneurship shouldn’t be intimidated by critique, and Edwards’ work – particularly on the potential negative consequences of viewing social change as driven by individuals rather than communities– is worth serious reflection.

Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained: Addressing the critical gaps in risk-taking capital for social enterprise (2007)

Jed Emerson, Tim Freundlich and Jim Fruchterman with Loren Berlin and Keely Stevenson

Exploring how the “social capital marketplace” is expanding to meet the demands of new types of socially and financially-focused hybrid enterprises, this article provides a perfect introduction to one of the greatest challenges for social entrepreneurs – accessing financial capital to grow and expand their work.

Socialedge.org and Changemakers.net

Sponsored by the Skoll Foundation and Ashoka, respectively, Socialedge.org and Changemakers.net are online communities dedicated to social entrepreneurship with interactive discussions, written features, and more. Every three months, Changemakers.net invites users to submit plans to tackle intractable problems, and awards small grants based on community voting.

Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World (2003)

Tracy Kidder

This seminal work looks at the incredible story of Paul Farmer and his organization Partners in Health. Never losing itself in cliché or lionization of its subject, it stands heads above many of the biographies of social entrepreneurs and is a must read for those who wish to dedicate themselves to a life promoting social justice.

Everyone a Changemaker: Social Entrepreneurship’s Ultimate Goal (2006)

Bill Drayton

Demonstrating an important evolution in thought, this article is a bit of a manifesto from one of the fathers of the field of social entrepreneurship. Money quote: “The most important contribution any of us can make now is not to solve any particular problem…What we must do now is increase the number of humans who know they can create change.”