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CASE STUDIES OF

FOR-BENEFITS

By increasing visibility and understanding ​of for-benefit organizations, we can strengthen their supportive ecosystem so they can grow and thrive. 

At the heart of the fourth sector are an expanding variety of hybrid organizational models that use market-based approaches (like a for-profit) to deliver a social or environmental benefit (like nonprofits and government). Sometimes referred to as purpose-driven or for-benefit enterprises, these include cooperatives, social enterprises, public benefit corporations, community development banks, and community interest companies, among many others. Here you will find short case studies of for-benefit enterprises that will help you have a better understanding of what a for-benefit model looks like, and the potential impact it can have. 

LOCATION

Egypt

SEKEM

PURPOSE

SEKEM’s purpose is to generate sustainable development by reclaiming and cultivating desert land through organic and biodynamic farming methods; create a healthy basis for human development through fair and ethical economic activities; and contribute to a balanced society by enabling human beings to unfold their individual potential by supporting their education, inner development, and social consciousness.

INDUSTRY

Pharmaceuticals, textiles and agriculture

PRODUCT / SERVICE

Organic herbs, seeds, spices, foodstuff, beverages, textiles

INTENDED BENEFICIARIES

LOCATION

Massachusetts, USA, with offices in multiple states

Dentaquest

PURPOSE

The primary purpose of DentaQuest is to revolutionize oral health for everyone by making dental health more affordable, easier to access, and more focused on prevention. This purpose is achieved through the core revenue-generating activities of the business and the research and advocacy efforts of the non-profit.

INDUSTRY

PRODUCT / SERVICE

Healthcare

INTENDED BENEFICIARIES

LOCATION

San Francisco

Alter Eco

PURPOSE

Our mission is to pioneer a full circle approach to eating, farming, and doing business – and to inspire others to do the same.

INDUSTRY

Chocolate

PRODUCT / SERVICE

Food

INTENDED BENEFICIARIES

LOCATION

Kenya

Komaza

PURPOSE

Parners with smallholder farmers as networks of suppliers to create sustainable livelihoods for farmers and to reforesting degraded ecosystems.

INDUSTRY

Forestry

PRODUCT / SERVICE

Forestry

INTENDED BENEFICIARIES

Small holder farmers

LOCATION

Israel

UBQ

PURPOSE

Divert waste into a productive output with sustainability and environmental impact at the center of its technological development.

INDUSTRY

Thermoplastic materials

PRODUCT / SERVICE

Thermoplastic materials produced from household trash

INTENDED BENEFICIARIES

LOCATION

US based company with production in Villa Altagracia, Dominican Republic

Alta Gracia

PURPOSE

They are the only certified Living Wage apparel company in the developing world. This Living Wage standard is independently audited by the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC) and updated annually to keep pace with inflation. They pay workers 3.5 times the national Dominican minimum wage, and 2.5 times higher than the industry average.

INDUSTRY

Apparel manufacturing

PRODUCT / SERVICE

Apparel

INTENDED BENEFICIARIES

Villa Altagracia community in the Dominican Republic

LOCATION

Ghana

ABOCFA

PURPOSE

Farmer cooperative based in Suhum, Ghana, known for producing the highest quality traceable cacao in the region.

INDUSTRY

Cocoa

PRODUCT / SERVICE

Cocoa

INTENDED BENEFICIARIES

Ghanaian farmers

LOCATION

Bagsvaerd, Denmark

Novo Nordisk

PURPOSE

"Drive change to defeat diabetes and other serious chronic diseases such as obesity and rare blood and endocrine disorders by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease."

INDUSTRY

Healthcare

PRODUCT / SERVICE

Diabetes, Obesity, Hemophilia, Growth disorders, Hormone replacement therapy

INTENDED BENEFICIARIES

Patients/individuals with serious chronic diseases pertaining to products provided

LOCATION

Hoboken, New Jersey, United States

Avocado Green Mattress

PURPOSE

Making and providing a true green mattress for consumers while comprising "sustainable manufacturing, eco-friendly living, ethical relationships, charitable giving, social justice, and creating a culture of openness, tolerance and understanding."

INDUSTRY

Mattress

PRODUCT / SERVICE

Mattress/Bedding/Furniture

INTENDED BENEFICIARIES

Everyone

LOCATION

Chico, California

Klean Kanteen

PURPOSE

Providing products that is made of love — love of adventure, the love of conserving wild places and the love of replacing single-use plastic.

INDUSTRY

Drinking bottles

PRODUCT / SERVICE

Insulated bottles, cups, and tumblers

INTENDED BENEFICIARIES

Everyone

LOCATION

Wellington, New Zealand

Dignity

PURPOSE

"To provide access to affordable and sustainable sanitary items for all women in New Zealand." Dignity uses the "buy one, give one" approach where for every product they sell, they give to those lacking access that may cause them to pass up on their education or work.

INDUSTRY

Feminine Hygiene

PRODUCT / SERVICE

Women sanitary products

INTENDED BENEFICIARIES

Women in the workplace and schools

LOCATION

Guatemala

Ecofiltro

PURPOSE

Using only financially sustainable methods to obtain a goal of reaching one million Guatemalan families and schools in rural areas with clean water by the end of 2020. Sharing and their production process and marketing tactics with any other organizations that wish to solve the clean water problem in other countries.

INDUSTRY

Water filters

PRODUCT / SERVICE

Water filters

INTENDED BENEFICIARIES

Guatemalans living in rural areas

LOCATION

Brazil headquarters with locations in 73 countries around the world.

Natura

PURPOSE

INDUSTRY

Cosmetics

PRODUCT / SERVICE

Skin care, hair care, fragrances.

INTENDED BENEFICIARIES

LOCATION

Headquarters in Kenya. Educational services provided in Kenya, Liberia, Uganda, Nigeria, and India. Offices in all operating countries, plus the UK and US.

Bridge International Academies

PURPOSE

INDUSTRY

Education (early child education and primary education)

PRODUCT / SERVICE

Low-cost private schools and charter school network operating in 5 developing countries.

INTENDED BENEFICIARIES

LOCATION

Headquarters in San Francisco, storefronts in 4 U.S. cities and one factory in Dongguan, China.

Rothy's

PURPOSE

INDUSTRY

Fashion

PRODUCT / SERVICE

Shoes and handbags

INTENDED BENEFICIARIES

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