How to start a nonprofit or social enterprise
Quick answer
This playlist explains how nonprofits and social enterprises work, from the Skoll Foundation's look at social entrepreneurs and Dan Pallotta's TED talk to practical lessons on grants from Candid and nonprofit boards from Stanford GSB, then founder stories. Play all on repeat as a course, or A–B loop one idea to take notes.
Videos in this playlist
- 1
TEDxMelbourne - Steve Persson - What is social enterprise?TEDx TalksPlay from here Loop - 2
Social Entrepreneurs: Pioneering Social ChangeSkoll.orgPlay from here Loop - 3
Social Entrepreneur vs Entrepreneur - Sally Osberg & Roger Martin #SkollWFSkoll.orgPlay from here Loop - 4
What's the Profit in Nonprofits? | Areva Martin | TEDxCrenshawTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop - 5
Social EntrepreneurshipStanford Graduate School of BusinessPlay from here Loop - 6
The way we think about charity is dead wrong | Dan PallottaTEDPlay from here Loop - 7
A For-Profit Mindset for Nonprofit Success | Tolu Oyekan | TEDTEDPlay from here Loop - 8
Melinda French Gates: What nonprofits can learn from Coca-ColaTEDPlay from here Loop - 9
The world doesn’t need another new non-profit | Kirk Bowman | TEDxPeachtreeTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop - 10
How to create a successful social enterprise | Marquis Cabrera | TEDxTeachersCollegeTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop - 11
How to turn one big idea into a social enterprise | Melina Georgousakis | TEDxMacquarieUniversityTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop - 12
Introduction to finding grantsCandidPlay from here Loop - 13
The Real ROI of Grant Writing | Teresa Huff | TEDxWilmingtonSalonTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop - 14
How to be a better fundraiser | Kara Logan Berlin | TEDxSantaClaraUniversityTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop - 15
Choosing a Nonprofit BoardStanford Graduate School of BusinessPlay from here Loop - 16
How to Run an Effective Nonprofit Board MeetingStanford Graduate School of BusinessPlay from here Loop - 17
Typical Nonprofit Board ChallengesStanford Graduate School of BusinessPlay from here Loop - 18
Modern nonprofit board governance -- passion is not enough! | Chris Grundner | TEDxWilmingtonTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop - 19
Measuring Social ImpactStanford Graduate School of BusinessPlay from here Loop - 20
How to ensure social enterprises have an impact | Marissa Fayer | TEDxLuganoTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop - 21
Nena Sanderson: Business Model Replication: A New Way to Accelerate Social ImpactStanford Graduate School of BusinessPlay from here Loop - 22
Sir Ronald Cohen: Impact Investing Is the FutureStanford Graduate School of BusinessPlay from here Loop - 23
How Non-Profits Navigate Uncertainty: Lessons from Save the Children U.S.Harvard Business ReviewPlay from here Loop - 24
Asking Hard Questions as a Non-Profit Organization | Gordon Decker | TEDxRapidCityTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop - 25
Rethinking the Business of Nonprofits | David Lucas | TEDxPortlandTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop - 26
Charity: how effective is giving?The EconomistPlay from here Loop - 27
The Story of KivaStanford Graduate School of BusinessPlay from here Loop - 28
The future is social entrepreneurship | Kerryn Krige | TEDxJohannesburgSalonTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop - 29
Is your social enterprise a force for good or a parasite? | TO Molefe | TEDxJohannesburgSalonTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop - 30
How Ashoka Social Entrepreneurs are changing AfricaAshokaPlay from here Loop - 31
A Transparent, Easy Way for Smallholder Farmers to Save | Anushka Ratnayake | TEDTEDPlay from here Loop - 32
Reclaiming Social Entrepreneurship | Daniela Papi Thornton | TEDxBendTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop
What is the difference between a nonprofit and a social enterprise?
A nonprofit pursues a social mission and usually relies on donations, grants and volunteers, with any surplus put back into the mission. A social enterprise sells products or services and uses the income to fund its mission. Legal forms for both differ a lot from country to country.
How can RepeatWatch help me study these talks?
Slow a lecture to 0.75× to note how a funder or board works, or review long panels at 1.25–2×. Save chapters on keys 1–9, and loop one explanation, such as how to measure impact, with an A–B loop until you can explain it.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I start?
Watch the overview talks first so you know which model fits your idea. Kirk Bowman's TEDx talk asks whether you need a new organisation at all. Then move to grants, fundraising and board governance before the founder stories.
How do I register a nonprofit or charity?
Registration, tax-exempt status and reporting rules depend on your country and sometimes your state or region. Check with your local charity regulator or company registry, and look for local nonprofit support organisations that help new founders with the paperwork.
Is this legal, tax or financial advice?
No. The videos are educational and reflect the views of their speakers. They are not legal, tax or financial advice. Speak to a qualified local adviser about legal structure, tax status and fundraising rules before you launch.