The Real Problem Solvers: Social Entrepreneurs in America

by Ruth Shapiro (Editor)

Today, "social entrepreneurship" describes a host of new initiatives, and often refers to approaches that are breaking from traditional philanthropic and charitable organizational behavior. Nowhere is this more true than in the United States—where, from 1995–2005, the number of non-profit organizations registered with the IRS grew by 53%. But, what types of change have these social entrepreneurial efforts brought to the world of civil society and philanthropy? What works in today's environment? And, what barriers are these new efforts breaking down as they endeavor to make the world a better place? The Real Problem Solvers brings together leading entrepreneurs, funders, investors, thinkers, and champions in the field to answer these questions from their own, first-person perspectives. Contributors include marquee figures, such as Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, Ashoka Founder Bill Drayton, Jacqueline Novogratz, Founder of the Acumen Fund, and Sally Osberg, CEO of the Skoll Foundation. The core chapters are anchored by an introduction, a conclusion, and question-and-answers sections that weave together the voices of various contributors. In no other book are so many leaders presented side-by-side. Therefore, this is the ideal accessible and personal introduction for students of and newcomers to social entrepreneurship.

Genres: Business

250 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 2012

Reviews

[Alexey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful book not only for the social entrepreneurs but for the NGO people as well. Particularly valuable part is the chapter with the interviews from SE donors (Skoll, Omidyar, etc), which is crucial for everyone who wants to get some seed financing for their initiatives. And Drayton's text is a revelation!

[Lia Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

each section is written by a different person so some chapters are noticeably better than others. tbh i find a lot of the people speaking here to feel sort of out of touch with the average person who DIDNT found ebay and doesnt have rich friends, a ride to Stanford, or the kind of charisma to get rich people to pay attention to them. also the slavish devotion to business as a solution just feels sort of icky in todays opportunistic capitalist environment. i know this book is trying to discuss how to be a more..."socially responsible capitalist" but at the end the day nothing changes when 10 guys own 99% of capitalist money and arent themselves actually interested in giving up that monetary control.

Also man, this is only tangentially related but i'm really fucking sick of listening to my college profs hold Gates up as some sort of philanthropic wetdream. fuck Gates and every other billionaire.