Nonprofit Social Enterprise Defined

The Good Shop is a Nonprofit organization (NGO or non-government organization) operating a Social Enterprise in the form of a second-hand shop.

A social enterprise is an organization that applies commercial strategies to maximize improvements in financial, social, and environmental well-being. For The Good Shop this is what we call our “triple bottom line” where we measure impact in Education, Employment and Environment rather than profit.

As a nonprofit we have no shareholders or owners but rather a voluntary board of directors who decide how to use any excess funds raised through our sales to have a positive impact on the community. This model allows us to be self-sufficient, not relying on corporate or individual funding to continue our mission and activities.

As a social enterprise we make decisions differently than a typical business. For The Good Shop this looks like:

• Hiring people who need the opportunity most
• Doing what is best for the environment
• Investing in education for our employees and children coming from inherited poverty
• Partnering, not competing, with other organizations and nonprofits. We always look for ways to support others who are also doing good.