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
