Assessment of Demand for Social Enterprise Support Services in Central Appalachia.

Survey Highlights

A burgeoning number of nonprofit organizations in Central Appalachia are furthering their mission, generating unrestricted revenue and advancing an entrepreneurial organizational culture through operating business ventures, according to a new survey of almost 200 nonprofit organizations in the region. Of the 196 organizations participating in the survey administered in November 2007, 34% are currently operating a social enterprise - defined as using earned income strategies to advance their nonprofit organization's mission - and more than 20% are considering launching a venture.

The study, "Assessment of Demand for Social Enterprise Support Services in Central Appalachia," is the most comprehensive survey of social enterprise activity in the region to date and was commissioned by The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation and conducted by Community Wealth Ventures. The study assesses the level of social enterprise activity in the region, analyzes the potential for future growth and identifies key challenges and opportunities in order to provide the sector with a strategic course of action to advance social enterprise in the region.

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