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99 American Social Innovations

Take the Fourth of July to Salute U.S. Change-Making Entrepreneurs

— July 4, 2012 — Social Good
American social innovations range from everything like fashion and organic food to technology and health.

For some, national holidays like the Fourth of July and Canada Day aren't all it's cracked up to be. Sure, there's usually a day off from work, lots of food and drinks and some sort of fireworks show.

Not everyone has the same joyous and unabashedly patriotic views to their countries -- if they even call it "theirs." And rightly so. In a recent piece for The Globe and Mail, Drew Hayden Taylor wrote a satire dubbed "White people, here’s your one-time Canada Day special: Native people apologize back!" And a lot of it could apply to other places as the ideas presented aren't fixed, but rather expand to other oppression(s) including the United States, with regard to the treatment of the native people of the land.

This SocialBusiness.org top list of American social innovations don't necessarily focus on nationalism or U.S. pride in particular since a lot of them are global or focus outwardly rather than inwardly. But it shows what some of the entrepreneurs are doing when it comes to the growing space of social enterprise.
6.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
98
Acupuncture Cooperatives
Acupuncture Cooperatives
POCA Aims to Provide Affordable and High Quality Treatment
<
97
Social Production Initiatives
Social Production Initiatives
The Middle Class Financial Empowerment Project Focuses on Wealth
<
96
Global Environment Standardization
Global Environment Standardization
Scientific Certification Systems is a Californian B Corporation
<
95
Neighborhood-Revitalizing Banks
Neighborhood-Revitalizing Banks
Next Street Financial Works in Inner-City Communities
<
94
Affordable Alternative Medicine
Affordable Alternative Medicine
Nelson Community Acupuncture Brings Simplicity to the Public
<
93
Educational Leader Networks
Educational Leader Networks
'Teach For All' Builds National Movements to Improve School Systems
<
92
Sustainable Storytelling Businesses
Sustainable Storytelling Businesses
Thinkshift Communications is a B Corporation Promoting Good
<
91
B Corp Commerce
B Corp Commerce
Dharma Merchant Services Makes Credit Cards Greener, More Philanthropic
<
90
Low-Income Assisted Care
Low-Income Assisted Care
Mia Senior Living Solutions Offers Affordable Services
<
89
Majority World Software
Majority World Software
Dimagi Uses Open Source Technology to Solve Global Problems
<
88
Global Water Crisis Films
Global Water Crisis Films
The Participant Media 'Last Call at the Oasis' Documentary
<
87
Good Karma Web Dev
Good Karma Web Dev
PICnet Offers Tech Services for Non-Profits and Social Businesses
<
86
Socially Responsible Smartphone Donations
Socially Responsible Smartphone Donations
The 'Oven Bits Instead' App Promotes Giving to Charity
<
85
Community-Conscious Comforters
Community-Conscious Comforters
Blanket America is a Cozy 'Buy 1 Give 1' Company
<
84
American-Based Microlending
American-Based Microlending
ACCION Chicago Provides Financial Access to Small Business Owners
<
83
Altruistic Law Firms
Altruistic Law Firms
Rimon is a Certified B Corp and Donates 10% Of Its Profits to Charity
<
82
Purpose-Driven Printing Professions
Purpose-Driven Printing Professions
Social Imprints Offers Employment to At-Risk Individuals
<
81
Transparency Trek Narratives
Transparency Trek Narratives
The Ethnotek Travel Blog Delves into Culture and Process
<
80
Street Youth Enterprises
Street Youth Enterprises
SYJA Helps Vancouver's Young Homeless People Find Jobs
<
79
Social Good Certifications
Social Good Certifications
B Corporations Use Business to Solve Social and Eco Problems
<
78
Professional Good Doers
Professional Good Doers
Catchafire is a B Corp That Lets Professionals Volunteer Their Skills
<
77
Energy-Efficient Community Contractors
Energy-Efficient Community Contractors
Solar Works Strives for Business & Homeowner Self-Reliance
<
76
Clever Philanthropic Attire
Clever Philanthropic Attire
These Gaggle of Tees Designs Support Important Non-Profit Initiatives
<
75
Majority World Cold Storage
Majority World Cold Storage
Promethean Power Systems is a Social Business Providing Refrigeration
<
74
Socially Savvy Decks
Socially Savvy Decks
Comet Skateboards is a Certified B Corporation Building Boards for a Cause
<
73
Custom-Printed Sustainable Tees
Custom-Printed Sustainable Tees
TS Designs Adheres to the Triple Bottom Line
<
72
Mission-Based Investing
Mission-Based Investing
'Renewal2 Investment Fund' Helps Foster Triple Bottom Line Success
<
71
Clean Tech for Non-Profits
Clean Tech for Non-Profits
Sun Light & Power Offers Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Energy
<
70
Altruistic Energy Drinks
Altruistic Energy Drinks
Every 50 Cent Street King Shot Feeds a Child in Need
<
69
Refugee-Employing Enterprises
Refugee-Employing Enterprises
The 'Open Arms Shop' Provides a Living Wage for Women
<
68
Indonesian Sourcing Trips
Indonesian Sourcing Trips
The Ethnotek 'Batik Hunting' Video Showcases the Brand's Ethos
<
67
Cohousing Companies
Cohousing Companies
McCamant & Durrett Architects Offer Collaborative Design and Living
<
66
Relationship-Based Baking Businesses
Relationship-Based Baking Businesses
King Arthur Flour Company is Employee-Owned
<
65
Maternal Health Marketplaces
Maternal Health Marketplaces
Maternova is a Socially Driven For-Profit Making Products Available
<
64
Community Design Companies
Community Design Companies
Opticos is a Certified B Corporation in California
<
63
Paint Maestro Videos
Paint Maestro Videos
The Moral Fibers Artist Profile on Gurrier Puchon Creates Connections
<
62
Labor-Oriented Cacoa Production
Labor-Oriented Cacoa Production
The Dandelion Chocolate Bars Team Focuses on Employment Standards
<
61
Social Innovation Philanthropies
Social Innovation Philanthropies
New Profit Inc. Supports Entrepreneurs for Large-Scale Change
<
60
Social Impact Consulting
Social Impact Consulting
Dalberg Aims to Raise the Standard of Living Through Strategic Advising
<
59
Empowering Eco Periods
Empowering Eco Periods
LunaPads Help Girls Stay in School and at Work via Pads4Girls
<
58
Group Solar Deals
Group Solar Deals
One Block Off the Grid (1BOG) Helps Neighbours Get Discounts on Green Energy
<
57
Purpose-Driven IT Companies
Purpose-Driven IT Companies
Better The World is a B Corporation Using Technology for Social Good
<
56
Mission-Driven Kids' Foods
Mission-Driven Kids' Foods
Nest Collective Makes Healthy Options More Accessible
<
55
Education Springboards
Education Springboards
Juma Ventures Helps Youth in California Enter College
<
54
Transparently American Clothing Lines
Transparently American Clothing Lines
The Alex Maine Collection is Certifiably Made in the USA
<
53
Ethical Anti-Poverty Initiatives
Ethical Anti-Poverty Initiatives
Partners for Just Trade is a Faith-Based Not-For-Profit
<
52
Socially-Conscious Online Bookstores
Socially-Conscious Online Bookstores
Better World Books Aims to Alleviate Poverty Through Literacy
<
51
One-Saves-Two Vaccines
One-Saves-Two Vaccines
'OneShot Global' Offers Meningitis Protection Using the TOMS Giving Model
<
50
Purpose-Driven Office Supplies
Purpose-Driven Office Supplies
'Give Something Back' Donates Half of Its Profits to Nonprofits
<
49
Low-Impact Baby Goods
Low-Impact Baby Goods
Seventh Generation Creates Responsible Home and Personal Care Products
<
48
Organic Shade-Grown Coffee
Organic Shade-Grown Coffee
Ethical Bean Sells Fair Trade and Socially-Responsible Products
<
47
Cause-Oriented Deals
Cause-Oriented Deals
Roozt Lets You Support Social Enterprise Brands and Products
<
46
Revamped Castaway Accessories
Revamped Castaway Accessories
Project Repat Collaborates with Artisans in the Majority World
<
45
Socially Driven Streetwear
Socially Driven Streetwear
DopeHut was One of the First B Corporations in California
<
44
Clean Business Agencies
Clean Business Agencies
Adbongo Inc. Offers Incubation, Cause Marketing and Branding Services
<
43
Online Marketplaces for Good
Online Marketplaces for Good
KarmaGoat is Like Craigslist But Proceeds Go to Charity
<
42
Microloans for Homelessness?
Microloans for Homelessness?
Beyond the Cardboard Shares Stories, Interviews and Resources
<
41
For-Profit Social Ventures
For-Profit Social Ventures
The TOMS Shoes Movement Creates Customer-Philanthropists
<
40
Customizable Charity-Driven Accessories
Customizable Charity-Driven Accessories
C4 Belts are Socially Conscious and Eco-Friendly
<
39
Outdoor Gear for Good
Outdoor Gear for Good
Patagonia Pays Employees to Volunteer for Eco Nonprofits
<
38
Cause-Driven Coffee
Cause-Driven Coffee
Pura Vida Empowers the Poor Through Create Good Foundation
<
37
DIY Nonprofit Water Bottles
DIY Nonprofit Water Bottles
Aquavation Supports Social Organizations Through Design
<
36
Charitable Spectacles
Charitable Spectacles
The Warby Parker 'Japhy' Glasses Raise Money for Breast Cancer
<
35
Entrepreneurship-Enabling Crafts
Entrepreneurship-Enabling Crafts
Buying a Prosperity Candle Helps Women Refugees Open a Business
<
34
Donation-Generating Galoshes
Donation-Generating Galoshes
Roma Boots Operates on a One-For-One Business Model
<
33
Conscious Contraceptives
Conscious Contraceptives
ConCon.org is a Discrete Online Store Using the One for One Model
<
32
Data-Driven Classroom Management
Data-Driven Classroom Management
Kickboard is a For-Profit Social Business Boosting Education
<
31
Ocean-Friendly Lookbooks
Ocean-Friendly Lookbooks
The United By Blue 'Here Comes The Sun' Catalogue Ushers in Spring
<
30
School Bags for Good
School Bags for Good
The Ark Collective Backpacks Help with a 'Get to Give' Model
<
29
Preppy Literacy-Promoting Garments
Preppy Literacy-Promoting Garments
Read’s Clothing Project Benefits Books for Africa
<
28
Crowdfunded Social Innovator Sites
Crowdfunded Social Innovator Sites
‘StartSomeGood’ Grows Purpose-Driven Initiatives
<
27
Award-Winning Altruistic Fashion
Award-Winning Altruistic Fashion
Afia is a Chic Women's Clothing Line Sourced and Sewn in Ghana
<
26
Rainforest Energy Drinks
Rainforest Energy Drinks
Guayaki Yerba Mate Has a Unique Social Business Model
<
25
Ethical Vegan Condoms
Ethical Vegan Condoms
GLYDE Products are Certified Pure Natural Pleasure
<
24
Beads to Fight Poverty
Beads to Fight Poverty
BeadForLife Sells Fair Trade Jewelry and Shea Butter Made in Uganda
<
23
Charitable Lit Tees
Charitable Lit Tees
Wear Your Favorite Novel with the Out of Print Summer Reads Collection
<
22
Pinot Noir with Purpose
Pinot Noir with Purpose
'ONEHOPE Wines' Donate Half Their Profits to Charity
<
21
Edgy Fashion Co-Ops
Edgy Fashion Co-Ops
Fair Trade 'Of Rags' Combines NYC Style with Ghanaian Fashion
<
20
Social Conscience Footwear
Social Conscience Footwear
Business Inspired by Argentine Alpargata
<
19
Cheap Charity Spectacles
Cheap Charity Spectacles
Warby Parker Eyewear is as Affordable as it is Fashionable
<
18
Sharp Socially-Aware Glasses
Sharp Socially-Aware Glasses
Warby Parker Distributes Eyewear Using a One-for-One Model
<
17
One-for-One Glasses
One-for-One Glasses
TOMS Eyewear is the Next Chapter in this Innovative Business Model
<
16
Socially Sustainable Fashion
Socially Sustainable Fashion
'All of Us Revolution' Encourages Women to Rethink Consumption
<
15
One-for-One Boating Tees
One-for-One Boating Tees
The United by Blue Winter Collection Evokes a Public-Spirited Mindset
<
14
Hip-Hop Social Enterprises
Hip-Hop Social Enterprises
The Global Block Foundation Promotes Personal Sustainability
<
13
One-for-One Tees
One-for-One Tees
Out of Print Marries Lost Literary Covers with Book Donations
<
12
Culturally Relevant Luggage
Culturally Relevant Luggage
Ethnotek Creates Bags Using Direct Fabric Trade
<
11
Meaningful Jewelry Mementos
Meaningful Jewelry Mementos
'Penelope Poet' Wants to Break the Chain of Poverty
<
10
Ethical Undergarment Production
Ethical Undergarment Production
Flint and Tinder Produces Locally Made Men's Underwear
<
9
Bearded Botas Kicks
Bearded Botas Kicks
TOMS Movember Shoe Helps Change the Face of Men's Health
<
8
One-for-One Literary Tees
One-for-One Literary Tees
The Out of Print Kid's Collection is Sweetly Scholarly
<
7
Charitable Watch Lines
Charitable Watch Lines
The Flex Watches Donate Proceeds to 10 Charities
<
6
Cause-Conscious Clothing
Cause-Conscious Clothing
United by Blue Removes One Pound of Trash from Oceans for Every Item Sold
<
5
Planet-Loving Marketplaces
Planet-Loving Marketplaces
Eartheasy is an Online Shop to Support Sustainable Lifestyles
<
4
Haitian Artist Wearables
Haitian Artist Wearables
Moral Fibers is a Socially Innovative Start-Up Building Human Capital
<
3
Cultural Camper Packs
Cultural Camper Packs
Socially Conscious Ethnotek Bags' Travel Backpacks Conform to Desired Style
<
2
Literary Smartphone Covers
Literary Smartphone Covers
Speck x Out of Print Novel Cases Bring Back Classic Stories
<
1
Beer Can Bracelets
Beer Can Bracelets
Ann-Made Jewelry Supports the Environment and Local Charities
<