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.

Play all on repeat

Videos in this playlist

  1. 1TEDxMelbourne - Steve Persson - What is social enterprise?TEDxMelbourne - Steve Persson - What is social enterprise?TEDx TalksPlay from here Loop
  2. 2Social Entrepreneurs: Pioneering Social ChangeSocial Entrepreneurs: Pioneering Social ChangeSkoll.orgPlay from here Loop
  3. 3Social Entrepreneur vs Entrepreneur - Sally Osberg & Roger Martin #SkollWFSocial Entrepreneur vs Entrepreneur - Sally Osberg & Roger Martin #SkollWFSkoll.orgPlay from here Loop
  4. 4What's the Profit in Nonprofits? | Areva Martin | TEDxCrenshawWhat's the Profit in Nonprofits? | Areva Martin | TEDxCrenshawTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop
  5. 5Social EntrepreneurshipSocial EntrepreneurshipStanford Graduate School of BusinessPlay from here Loop
  6. 6The way we think about charity is dead wrong | Dan PallottaThe way we think about charity is dead wrong | Dan PallottaTEDPlay from here Loop
  7. 7A For-Profit Mindset for Nonprofit Success | Tolu Oyekan | TEDA For-Profit Mindset for Nonprofit Success | Tolu Oyekan | TEDTEDPlay from here Loop
  8. 8Melinda French Gates: What nonprofits can learn from Coca-ColaMelinda French Gates: What nonprofits can learn from Coca-ColaTEDPlay from here Loop
  9. 9The world doesn’t need another new non-profit | Kirk Bowman | TEDxPeachtreeThe world doesn’t need another new non-profit | Kirk Bowman | TEDxPeachtreeTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop
  10. 10How to create a successful social enterprise | Marquis Cabrera | TEDxTeachersCollegeHow to create a successful social enterprise | Marquis Cabrera | TEDxTeachersCollegeTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop
  11. 11How to turn one big idea into a social enterprise | Melina Georgousakis | TEDxMacquarieUniversityHow to turn one big idea into a social enterprise | Melina Georgousakis | TEDxMacquarieUniversityTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop
  12. 12Introduction to finding grantsIntroduction to finding grantsCandidPlay from here Loop
  13. 13The Real ROI of Grant Writing | Teresa Huff | TEDxWilmingtonSalonThe Real ROI of Grant Writing | Teresa Huff | TEDxWilmingtonSalonTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop
  14. 14How to be a better fundraiser | Kara Logan Berlin | TEDxSantaClaraUniversityHow to be a better fundraiser | Kara Logan Berlin | TEDxSantaClaraUniversityTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop
  15. 15Choosing a Nonprofit BoardChoosing a Nonprofit BoardStanford Graduate School of BusinessPlay from here Loop
  16. 16How to Run an Effective Nonprofit Board MeetingHow to Run an Effective Nonprofit Board MeetingStanford Graduate School of BusinessPlay from here Loop
  17. 17Typical Nonprofit Board ChallengesTypical Nonprofit Board ChallengesStanford Graduate School of BusinessPlay from here Loop
  18. 18Modern nonprofit board governance -- passion is not enough! | Chris Grundner | TEDxWilmingtonModern nonprofit board governance -- passion is not enough! | Chris Grundner | TEDxWilmingtonTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop
  19. 19Measuring Social ImpactMeasuring Social ImpactStanford Graduate School of BusinessPlay from here Loop
  20. 20How to ensure social enterprises have an impact | Marissa Fayer | TEDxLuganoHow to ensure social enterprises have an impact | Marissa Fayer | TEDxLuganoTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop
  21. 21Nena Sanderson: Business Model Replication: A New Way to Accelerate Social ImpactNena Sanderson: Business Model Replication: A New Way to Accelerate Social ImpactStanford Graduate School of BusinessPlay from here Loop
  22. 22Sir Ronald Cohen: Impact Investing Is the FutureSir Ronald Cohen: Impact Investing Is the FutureStanford Graduate School of BusinessPlay from here Loop
  23. 23How Non-Profits Navigate Uncertainty: Lessons from Save the Children U.S.How Non-Profits Navigate Uncertainty: Lessons from Save the Children U.S.Harvard Business ReviewPlay from here Loop
  24. 24Asking Hard Questions as a Non-Profit Organization | Gordon Decker | TEDxRapidCityAsking Hard Questions as a Non-Profit Organization | Gordon Decker | TEDxRapidCityTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop
  25. 25Rethinking the Business of Nonprofits | David Lucas | TEDxPortlandRethinking the Business of Nonprofits | David Lucas | TEDxPortlandTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop
  26. 26Charity: how effective is giving?Charity: how effective is giving?The EconomistPlay from here Loop
  27. 27The Story of KivaThe Story of KivaStanford Graduate School of BusinessPlay from here Loop
  28. 28The future is social entrepreneurship | Kerryn Krige | TEDxJohannesburgSalonThe future is social entrepreneurship | Kerryn Krige | TEDxJohannesburgSalonTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop
  29. 29Is your social enterprise a force for good or a parasite? | TO Molefe | TEDxJohannesburgSalonIs your social enterprise a force for good or a parasite? | TO Molefe | TEDxJohannesburgSalonTEDx TalksPlay from here Loop
  30. 30How Ashoka Social Entrepreneurs are changing AfricaHow Ashoka Social Entrepreneurs are changing AfricaAshokaPlay from here Loop
  31. 31A Transparent, Easy Way for Smallholder Farmers to Save | Anushka Ratnayake | TEDA Transparent, Easy Way for Smallholder Farmers to Save | Anushka Ratnayake | TEDTEDPlay from here Loop
  32. 32Reclaiming Social Entrepreneurship | Daniela Papi Thornton | TEDxBendReclaiming 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.