Social Impact Blog

When John Rush began contemplating a move from Chicago to Columbus nearly a decade ago to launch what would become CleanTurn, he knew he wanted to do something different. Something bigger and more flexible than a traditional nonprofit. Something that enabled the organization to partner with multiple nonprofits and the public without depending on grants […]

When we last talked with Matt Goldstein in 2017, Besa was just launching its new corporate product, Besa Promise. Targeted to corporations, Besa Promise helps companies track and coordinate their philanthropic programs with their community volunteer programs. Adding a corporate product has been transformational in allowing Besa to evolve its services and to use the […]

AT A GLANCE What: Hot Chicken TakeoverWho: Ashley Leach, Director of Finance and AdministrationBusiness: Casual Nashville-style hot chicken restaurant Based: ColumbusFounded: 2014Website: www.hotchickentakeover.com Ashley Leach joined Hot Chicken Takeover in 2015 and has been central to its success and growth. From just five employees as a pop-up in Olde Towne East, the restaurant has grown […]

Furniture Bank’s two social enterprises provide needed support for nonprofit’s bottom line In 2016, Furniture Bank of Central Ohio launched its first social enterprise, Furniture with a Heart, a furniture thrift store, followed by its second venture in 2017, Downsize with a Heart, a service-based enterprise helping individuals declutter, pack and move into smaller homes. Now that […]

Like so many social enterprises, Roosevelt Coffee Roasters works hard to build the long-term sales pipeline that will empower the organization to create significant social change. But long before the organization can break through the barriers of social injustice, the quest to break even and make good on the loans borrowed to start up the […]

What: Equitas HealthWho: Billy Hardy, President & CEOBusiness: Healthcare organization serving the LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS communities, with pharmacy and primary-health facilities.Based: ColumbusFounded: 1984Website: www.equitashealth.com Bill Hardy is the President and CEO of Equitas Health. This rapidly-growing healthcare organization seeks to be the gateway to good health for those at risk of or affected by HIV/AIDS […]

SocialVentures hosted its third annual Nonprofit Sustainability Showcase event at Vue Columbus on February 7, 2019. Four SocialVentures’ Nonprofit Catalyst participants shared their social enterprise concepts with more than 200 attendees. These four nonprofits will join the rapidly growing social enterprise sector in Central Ohio, which today is more than 100 strong, approximately 60 of […]

Nick Hirsch is the Managing Director of Coffee Crafters Academy. This business operates cafes inside of correctional facilities as a hands-on program to teach inmates marketable skills and to develop a positive work history that will help them obtain employment once released. It is a for-profit social enterprise of Nothing Into Something Real Estate (NISRE) […]

In January 2017, EmpowerBus was just an idea on paper and comprised two components: one that involved providing children with safe, reliable school transportation, and another one for workforce transportation. Later that year, EmpowerBus co-founders Jerry Tsai and Aslyne Rodriguez decided to participate in SEA Change, a social enterprise accelerator program. They were matched up […]

Founded in 2002, L.A. Catering is one of LifeCare Alliance’s two social enterprise divisions. LifeCare Alliance has been serving the local community through its nutrition and health programs—most notably the Meals on Wheels program—since 1898. All profits from L.A. Catering are reinvested in LifeCare Alliance to support older adults, medically challenged, and disabled individuals in […]