Looking around the web the other day I came across the FastCompany 2008 Social Capitalist Awards.
Along with a bunch of 45 not-for-profits, there is also an interesting list of 10 “companies not only striving to make a profit, but to also make a difference.” This seems to me to be the most interesting subset of social venturing firms – companies that somehow work with both aims in mind.
FastCompany’s list includes, purely for your inspiration:
- Better World Books “a fast-growing 130 person company focused on promoting literacy, providing good jobs for its employees with health care and benefits, and doing its part to protect the environment” (www.betterworldbooks.com).
- Developing World Markets “a socially responsible fund manager and investment bank” (www.dwmarkets.com).
- Domini Social Investments “using investments to help care for the planet” (www.domini.com).
- Equal Exchange “a worker-owned co-operative dedicated to Fair Trade” (www.equalexchange.com).
- Herman Miller “a leading global provider of office furniture and services
that create great places to live, learn, work and heal” (www.hermanmiller.com). - New Leaf Paper “develops and distributes environmentally superior printing and office papers” (www.newleafpaper.com).
- Organic Valley Family of Farms “an organic cooperative” (www.organicvalley.coop).
- Seventh Generation “committed to becoming the world’s most trusted brand of authentic, safe, and environmentally-responsible products for a healthy home” (www.seventhgeneration.com).
- ShoreBank “focused on building communities that are also environmentally sustainable” (www.sbk.com).
- SustainAbility “an integrated strategic business consultancy and research centre” (www.sustainability.com).
These may be small companies, but many are having a big impact. DWM, for example, has $250 million under management.
SustainAbility seems to be the only UK entrant. Does anyone know of an equivalent list for the UK?
Conscious-Business.org.uk 
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