25 Activism-Focused Social Businesses

From Nonprofit Art Organizations to Urban Farm Networks

— May 12, 2014 — Social Good
For a long time, the idea of activism and business holding hands would seem like an absurd gesture -- or at the very best, a smart marketing campaign for attention -- however, these activism-focused social businesses show how a business model can work when it comes to organizing, civic society and nonprofit work. And there is so much inspiring innovation to learn and grow from.

One recent innovation that SocialBusiness.org covered that is not included as part of these activism-focused social businesses was what we called a democratic activist app, which is called Loomio. It is a crowdsourced decision-making app that came out of the worldwide Occupy Wall Street protests in 2011. It has also moved beyond the streets and its activist founder, Benjamin Knight, says that it can also be used for small businesses and organizations.



3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
25
Activist-Driven Neighbourhoods
Activist-Driven Neighbourhoods
'Thriving Communities' is an Alternative Way to See the World
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24
Free Information Software
Free Information Software
Transparency Toolkit is an Open-Source Tool
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23
Impact Inspiring Weekend Programs
Impact Inspiring Weekend Programs
The Change Course is a Bootcamp for Social Entrepreneurs
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22
Crowdsourced For-Purpose Conferences
Crowdsourced For-Purpose Conferences
The 2012 Social Good Summit Covers A Range of World Issues
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21
Urban Farm Networks
Urban Farm Networks
Fresh City is a Toronto-Based Social Enterprise
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20
Green Phone Companies
Green Phone Companies
Credo Mobile Is Gentle on The Planet and Donates 1% of Fees to Causes
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19
Democratic Activist Apps
Democratic Activist Apps
Loomio Enables Crowdsourced Decision Making for Protests and Non-Profits
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18
Online Civic Engagement Platforms
Online Civic Engagement Platforms
MyCityHall.ca is a Free, Open Source Web Tool by Open North
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17
Teen Environmental Activist Groups
Teen Environmental Activist Groups
Youth L.E.A.D. Miami Educates Students On Food Justice Issues
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16
Charitably Chic Cotton Tees
Charitably Chic Cotton Tees
Multeepurpose Clothing is Inspired by the Causes It Supports
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15
Online Urban Activism Platforms
Online Urban Activism Platforms
Brickstarter is a Web Service Connecting Activists and Bureaucracy
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14
Nonprofit Black Art Organizations
Nonprofit Black Art Organizations
Founder of Project Row Houses, Rick Lowe, Will Speak at SOCAP13
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13
Anti-War Whistleblowers (UPDATE)
Anti-War Whistleblowers (UPDATE)
The Falling Whistles Company Aims to Help Congo Through Activism
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12
Community Giving Sites
Community Giving Sites
'A Little More Good' Helps Vancouverites Give Back to their Communities
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11
Gender-Based Violence Support
Gender-Based Violence Support
SHE WILL is a Project of the Acclaimed Global Enrichment Foundation
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10
Poverty-Conscious Quilts
Poverty-Conscious Quilts
Kathryn Clark Creates an Artistic Display of Foreclosures With Blankets
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9
Fashion to End Violence
Fashion to End Violence
My Sister's Closet in Vancouver Sells Vintage Clothes for Good
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8
Activist Apparel + Accessories
Activist Apparel + Accessories
Nest Helps Fund Female Artisans in Developing Countries
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7
Socially Supportive Tees
Socially Supportive Tees
The 100% Organic T-Shirts by Vuori Help Promote Environmental Endeavors
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6
Artistic Activism
Artistic Activism
Part Of It Totes & Tees For Charity
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5
Trade-Enabling Fashion
Trade-Enabling Fashion
'Edun' by Ali Hewson Helps Support Manufacturing in Africa
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4
Enviropreneurship
Enviropreneurship
When Environmentalism Met Business
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3
Hip-Hop Social Enterprises
Hip-Hop Social Enterprises
The Global Block Foundation Promotes Personal Sustainability
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2
Fair Trade Lifestyle Brands
Fair Trade Lifestyle Brands
People Tree is a Stylish Social Business Spearhead
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1
Purpose-Driven Beauty Products
Purpose-Driven Beauty Products
Radiant Cosmetics Raises Money to End Human Trafficking
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