20 Finance-Focused Social Enterprises

From Ethical Investments to Global Microfinance Networks

— July 1, 2011 — Social Good
It's a long-time saying that money makes the world go 'round, but these finance-focused social enterprises are doing something different with money. Whether it be microlending services or ethical investment firms, this top lost focuses on the social angle to a company's day-to-day operations.

Some of the finance-focused social enterprises in this list are based in industrialized countries like the United States and London, and others, are based in (and work in) the less-industrialized world. If you're a finance fiend, this top list will hopefully get your brain tinkering away on the various enterprises, services and organizations that show that well-handled money can have impacts on social entrepreneurship, global poverty, health, culture and a variety of other social indicators.
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18
Community Enterprise Investors
Community Enterprise Investors
Adventure Capital Fund Aims to Improve U.K. Neighborhoods
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17
Socially Responsible Investment Firms
Socially Responsible Investment Firms
Trillium Asset Management Promotes Social Justice
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16
American-Based Microlending
American-Based Microlending
ACCION Chicago Provides Financial Access to Small Business Owners
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15
Ethical Investments
Ethical Investments
Bridges Ventures is a Venture Capital Company with a Social Aim
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14
Market-Oriented Non-Profits
Market-Oriented Non-Profits
Acumen Fund Uses Entrepreneurial Strategies to Fight Global Poverty
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13
Social Innovation Brokers
Social Innovation Brokers
Volans is a Think-Tank, Incubator and Consultancy
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12
Global Microfinance Networks
Global Microfinance Networks
FINCA Provides Financial Services to Low-Income Entrepreneurs
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11
Social Innovation Philanthropies
Social Innovation Philanthropies
New Profit Inc. Supports Entrepreneurs for Large-Scale Change
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10
Alternative Loan Products
Alternative Loan Products
Fair Finance Offers Affordable Banking to Urban Populations
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9
Collateral-Free Microcredit
Collateral-Free Microcredit
Muhammad Yunus's Grameen Bank Has Revolutionized Finance
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8
Green Power Microlending
Green Power Microlending
Energy in Common's Person-to-Person Loans Fight Climate Change
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7
Social Advisory Firms
Social Advisory Firms
Intellecap is a ‘Think and Do' Tank With Market-Based Strategies
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6
Social Innovation Networking
Social Innovation Networking
The Skoll Foundation Fosters Entrepreneurs Worldwide
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5
Social Change Investments
Social Change Investments
The Ethical Property Company Provides Affordable Offices
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4
Social Entrepreneur Associations
Social Entrepreneur Associations
‘Ashoka: Innovators for the Public' is World-Changing
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3
Youth-Oriented Finances
Youth-Oriented Finances
MyBnk Teaches Money Management and Entrepreneurial Skills
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2
Microlending Credit Cards
Microlending Credit Cards
KivaB4B Doubles Grants
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1
Microfinance Investing
Microfinance Investing
Kiva.org Lets You Become a Banker to the Poor
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