76 Californian Social Innovations

From Socially Driven Streetwear to Chic Postage

— May 13, 2014 — Social Good
These Californian social innovations show that California is more than just a place, in fact, it's a lifestyle. Whether based in California or merely inspired by it, this SocialBusiness.org top list evokes the spirit of sunny and laid-back. Some, then, are more typical Golden State than others. Take the social enterprise zen center called Honoring the Path of the Warrior, an organization sponsored by the San Francisco Zen Center.

There are a lot of clothing, fashion and style offerings that Californian social innovations seem to turn to but there are also quite a few technology businesses. One cool one is rechargeable solar lights developed for the Majority World and another is Sun Light and Power, a big-time solar company and B Corporation.
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Activity
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76
Worksite Information Forums
Worksite Information Forums
LaborVoices, Inc. Attempts to Foster Accountability and Transparency
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75
Global Environment Standardization
Global Environment Standardization
Scientific Certification Systems is a Californian B Corporation
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74
Global EV Providers
Global EV Providers
Better Place Offers Electric Transportation Services
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73
Bio-Compostable Service Products
Bio-Compostable Service Products
World Centric Transformed from Non-Profit to For-Profit Business
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72
Social Investment Learning Communities
Social Investment Learning Communities
Global Philanthropy Forum was Founded by Jane Wales in 2001
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71
Global Community Clothing Brands
Global Community Clothing Brands
Alternative Apparel Straddles the Line Between Corporate & Social
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70
B Corp Conferences
B Corp Conferences
The Themes for Social Capital Markets' SOCAP13 Include Health & Oceans
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69
Social Enterprise Zen Centers
Social Enterprise Zen Centers
'Honoring the Path of the Warrior' is Based in California
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68
Business-Generating Grants
Business-Generating Grants
Popuphood Allows Entrepreneurs Six Months Rent Free
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67
Rainforest-Focused Apparel
Rainforest-Focused Apparel
Cuipo Concentrates Efforts to Protecting the South American Landscape
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66
Street Youth Enterprises
Street Youth Enterprises
SYJA Helps Vancouver's Young Homeless People Find Jobs
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65
Samuel Miller of Bombastic Plastix (INTERVIEW)
Samuel Miller of Bombastic Plastix (INTERVIEW)
Upcycled Goods Made from Balian Plastic Bags
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64
Social Good Certifications
Social Good Certifications
B Corporations Use Business to Solve Social and Eco Problems
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63
Social Capital Databases
Social Capital Databases
ImpactSpace Gives Information on Companies, Entrepreneurs and Investors
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62
Independent Travel Itineraries
Independent Travel Itineraries
Global Basecamps is an Ethical and Environmental Company
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61
Energy-Efficient Community Contractors
Energy-Efficient Community Contractors
Solar Works Strives for Business & Homeowner Self-Reliance
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60
Guarantor Model Capital
Guarantor Model Capital
MicroCredit Enterprises Uses the Funds of People with a High Net Worth
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59
Crowdsourcing H2O Texts
Crowdsourcing H2O Texts
NextDrop Uses SMS to Make Water Service More Reliable in India
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58
Clean Tech for Non-Profits
Clean Tech for Non-Profits
Sun Light & Power Offers Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Energy
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57
Rechargeable Solar Lights
Rechargeable Solar Lights
One Million Lights Wants to Replace Dangerous Kerosene Lamps
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56
Crafty Artisan-Made Computer Cases
Crafty Artisan-Made Computer Cases
'Intrinsic' Leverages the Creative Skills of Kenyan Workers
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55
Frothy Organic Brews
Frothy Organic Brews
Bison Brew Creates a Line of Sustainably Produced Alcohol-Infused Beers
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54
Cohousing Companies
Cohousing Companies
McCamant & Durrett Architects Offer Collaborative Design and Living
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53
Book-Providing Apparel
Book-Providing Apparel
S.T.O.R.Y. Clothing Tackles U.S. Illiteracy Through Donation
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52
Community Design Companies
Community Design Companies
Opticos is a Certified B Corporation in California
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51
Organic Sun Care Collections
Organic Sun Care Collections
COOLA Offers Environmentally Friendly Sunscreen Products
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50
Patriotic One for One Apparel
Patriotic One for One Apparel
Salute the Brave Donates Clothing to American Military Troops
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49
Scholarship Sunnies
Scholarship Sunnies
Blenders Eyewear Supports College Education for U.S. Youth
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48
Beach-Beautification Clothing Lines
Beach-Beautification Clothing Lines
Coastal Playground Donates Profits to Keep Shorelines Clean
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47
Conscious Californian Casuals
Conscious Californian Casuals
Barnabas Clothing Donates a Portion of Sales to HIV/AIDS Support
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46
Anti-War Whistleblowers (UPDATE)
Anti-War Whistleblowers (UPDATE)
The Falling Whistles Company Aims to Help Congo Through Activism
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45
Education Springboards
Education Springboards
Juma Ventures Helps Youth in California Enter College
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44
Alternative Micro-Investment Platforms
Alternative Micro-Investment Platforms
InVenture Helps Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries
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43
Non-Profit-Supporting Consumerists
Non-Profit-Supporting Consumerists
'No One Without' is a For-Purpose Fashion Brand
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42
Social Innovation Networking
Social Innovation Networking
The Skoll Foundation Fosters Entrepreneurs Worldwide
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41
Purpose-Driven Products
Purpose-Driven Products
Project 7 Creates Positive Change in Global Communities
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40
Chic Californian Postage
Chic Californian Postage
Gramr Gratitude Co. Cards Revolutionizes Greeting Industry
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39
Sustainable Surf Gear
Sustainable Surf Gear
The Patagonia R1 Wet Suit is Designed from Recycled Material for Warm Water
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38
Eco-Friendly Surfboard Bags
Eco-Friendly Surfboard Bags
RareForm Makes Unique Action Sports Accessories from Billboards
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37
Purpose-Driven Office Supplies
Purpose-Driven Office Supplies
'Give Something Back' Donates Half of Its Profits to Nonprofits
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36
Casual Children's Cause Clothing
Casual Children's Cause Clothing
'ever/after' is a Brand That Reflects a Californian Lifestyle
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35
Socially Driven Streetwear
Socially Driven Streetwear
DopeHut was One of the First B Corporations in California
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34
Buy-One-Give-One Glasses
Buy-One-Give-One Glasses
'141 Eyewear' Believes in a Simplified Giving Model
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33
Humanitarian-Branded Water Bottles
Humanitarian-Branded Water Bottles
Nika Sells Products to Support Clean H20 Projects
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32
Ethical Decision-Making Apps
Ethical Decision-Making Apps
'Oroeco' Links Your Life to the World in Order to Make a Choice
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31
Altruistic Pet Beds
Altruistic Pet Beds
Better Buddies is an Environmentally Friendly Cat and Dog Business
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30
Charitable Photography
Charitable Photography
Give Prints is a For-Profit Company Giving Back Through Images
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29
Inspired Altruistic Vino Brands
Inspired Altruistic Vino Brands
Cultivate Wines is a Nonprofit That Gives Back
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28
Graphic Eco-Friendly Skateboards
Graphic Eco-Friendly Skateboards
Bamboo SK8 Manufactures Decks and Longboards from Bamboo
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27
Outdoor Gear for Good
Outdoor Gear for Good
Patagonia Pays Employees to Volunteer for Eco Nonprofits
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26
Socially Supportive Tees
Socially Supportive Tees
The 100% Organic T-Shirts by Vuori Help Promote Environmental Endeavors
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25
Conscientious Coffee Beans
Conscientious Coffee Beans
TOMS Coffee and Cafes Provide Weekly Water Supplies to Remote Areas
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24
Rainforest Artisans
Rainforest Artisans
Chick Boss Jewelry Creates Employment Opportunities for Women in Guatemala
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23
Do-Good Sunglasses
Do-Good Sunglasses
The SHAUNS SHADES ‘Buy One Give Sight' Mission is Inspiring
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22
Co-Profit Fashion
Co-Profit Fashion
Collaborative World Brand Supports Nonprofits Through Apparel Sales
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21
School Bags for Good
School Bags for Good
The Ark Collective Backpacks Help with a 'Get to Give' Model
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20
Kindness Carriers
Kindness Carriers
OAK Lifestyle Donates Backpacks and School Supplies to Kids
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19
Comfy Marine-Protecting Sneakers
Comfy Marine-Protecting Sneakers
Blu Kicks Helps to Preserve the Habitat of Hawaii's Native Fish
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18
Social Sri Lankan Seasonings
Social Sri Lankan Seasonings
The Spicy Gourmet Supports Small Farmers Through Fair Trade
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17
Compostable Cloths
Compostable Cloths
'Go! Towel' is an Anti-Bacterial Product Made of Bamboo Fiber
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16
Flexible Eco-Chic Sunglasses
Flexible Eco-Chic Sunglasses
Giving Tree Eyewear Creates Eco-Friendly ShadesThat Bend to Your Will
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15
Collegiate-Inspired Slip-on Sneakers
Collegiate-Inspired Slip-on Sneakers
The TOMS Shoes Campus Collection Is Game Day Ready
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14
Pay-As-You-Go Renewable Energy
Pay-As-You-Go Renewable Energy
Angaza Design Makes Clean Energy Accessible Off the Grid
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13
Rainforest Energy Drinks
Rainforest Energy Drinks
Guayaki Yerba Mate Has a Unique Social Business Model
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12
Californian Co-Working Spaces
Californian Co-Working Spaces
Impact Hub Oakland Fosters Social Entrepreneurship
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11
Pioneering Natural Makeup Companies
Pioneering Natural Makeup Companies
JASON Cosmetics Offers Products That Aren't Harsh on Your Skin
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10
Casually Conscious Fashion
Casually Conscious Fashion
'Groceries Apparel' Uses Textiles Like Recycled Plastic, Vintage Denim
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9
Upcycled Nautical Bags
Upcycled Nautical Bags
The Boyd Sailcloth Line of Totes are Constructed from Reclaimed Materials
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8
Upcycled Wooden Audio Gear
Upcycled Wooden Audio Gear
LSTN Headphones Benefit Deaf Children in Need
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7
One-for-One Wooden Eyeglasses
One-for-One Wooden Eyeglasses
Anni Shades Plants a Tree for Every Pair Sold
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6
Majority World Tech Incubators
Majority World Tech Incubators
D-Rev Designs Solution-Driven Products for Low-Income Customers
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5
Weaved Ethical Jewelry
Weaved Ethical Jewelry
Love Heals Plants Trees and Fosters Economic Development
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4
Sustainable Cycle Frames
Sustainable Cycle Frames
Bamboosero Bamboo Bikes are Made in Developing Countries
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3
Flat-Top Shades
Flat-Top Shades
Look Super Sleek and Stylish in These One-for-One '4sight' Sunglasses
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2
Necklace-Like Scarves
Necklace-Like Scarves
Necklush Donates Some Profits to a Holistic Cancer Treatment Center
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1
Learning-Enabling Rucksacks
Learning-Enabling Rucksacks
Purchasing a Stone+Cloth Backpack Provides a Child With an Education
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