16 Free Social Innovations

From Local Food Deliveries to Donor-Fueled Web Communities

— June 15, 2013 — Social Good
While not everything about these free social innovations may be completely free of charge, many of these enterprises, businesses and non-profit organizations offer something free, whether it's a product or a service (but usually it's a service).

From local food deliveries to donor-fueled web communities, this list of free social innovations include everything from free newsletter email subscriptions to a free cup of coffee in a public bus service. The real question, however, for many people in the social entrepreneurship space who are concerned with definitions (and strict ones at that), becomes, if these organizations are giving away something for free, does it mean that they are disrupting the social business model as a profit-oriented one that relies on payment and not donors in order to make its social mission palpable? Or are they subverting it?
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16
Green Energy Upgrading Companies
Green Energy Upgrading Companies
'Effortless Energy' Invests in Homes and Shares in Savings
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15
Free Information Software
Free Information Software
Transparency Toolkit is an Open-Source Tool
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14
Social Production Initiatives
Social Production Initiatives
The Middle Class Financial Empowerment Project Focuses on Wealth
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13
Spanish-Supporting Social Enterprises
Spanish-Supporting Social Enterprises
'Movimiento Idun' is a Language-Based CIC in Spain
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12
Free Stuff Finders
Free Stuff Finders
Ditto is an Online Platform Fostering Collaborative Consumption in the UK
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11
Resident-Run Shops
Resident-Run Shops
Barford Village is a Collective Offering Community Services
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10
One-for-One Bus Rides
One-for-One Bus Rides
Detroit Bus Company 'WeRide' Program Aims to Improve City Transit
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9
Encouraging Entrepreneurship Enterprises
Encouraging Entrepreneurship Enterprises
SOLS 24/7 Provides Accessible Education for Youth
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8
Charitable Dining Recommendations
Charitable Dining Recommendations
Tasting Table Provides Funding To Help Budding Entrepreneurs
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7
Social Capital Databases
Social Capital Databases
ImpactSpace Gives Information on Companies, Entrepreneurs and Investors
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6
Free Money Social Networks
Free Money Social Networks
Good Deeds Global is an Organization That Helps You Pay It Forward
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5
Collaborative Development Programs
Collaborative Development Programs
Enterprising Non-Profits Enables Growth for Social Businesses
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4
Donor-Fueled Web Communities
Donor-Fueled Web Communities
GivingSomeThing is an Online Platform Getting Goods to Nonprofits
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3
Local Food Deliveries
Local Food Deliveries
Mama Earth Organics Lets You Choose Weekly or Bi-Weekly Produce Baskets
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2
Volunteer Perk Programs
Volunteer Perk Programs
Do Good Get Rewards is a Platform to Recognize the Help of Non-Profits
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1
Community-Building Barter Apps
Community-Building Barter Apps
Bright Neighbor is the First Sharing Economy Mobile Platform
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