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Where Nonprofits Discuss Earned Income

npE FAQ: Social Enterprise MBA Programs

Here are the comments that we received in response to a question from Lina Gudenas about good MBA programs that have a social enterprise focus.

(1) From Jim Fruchterman <jim@benetech.org>
I've had two Benetech staffers head to MBA school in the last few years, and they both have had great experiences (and a social entrepreneurial focus) . One was a Skoll scholar at Oxford's Said Business School, and we just hired one of his classmates at Benetech (who is terrific) . The other is in his second year at UC Berkeley's Haas Business School.

(2) From Kirsten Gagnaire" <kgagnaire@gmail.com>
You should definitely check out the Bainbridge Graduate Institute. They are a pioneering MBA program and one of the only ones that is an MBA program completely set within the context of social justice and environmental sustainability. Their web site is http://www.bgiedu.org

(3) From Jill Bamburg <Jill.Bamburg@bgiedu.org>
I'm not an MBA student, but...I AM the Dean of the MBA Program at the Bainbridge Graduate Institute (BGI) . We offer a "hybrid" program (monthly weekends coupled with distance learning)  with a focus on sustainability in every single course. You can learn more about our program at http://www.bgiedu.org OR by accessing the recent Net Impact study of environmentally and socially conscious MBA program. Our program came out on top in that survey, but it's also a great resource for looking at the full range of schools that offer programs in this area.  Good luck in your search! The world definitely needs more sustainability-minded MBAs!

(4) From Mike Paulsmeyer <mpaulsmeyer@yahoo.com>
My girlfriend just graduated with a joint-degree, MBA/Environmental Science, from Yale. The School of Management (SOM)  produces an incredible amount of people that work in non-profits and non-traditional MBA type workplaces. My definition of a traditional MBA type workplaces are Wall Street, consulting, and advertising and marketing companies (not that there is anything wrong with that type of work!)

That being said, many of the top business schools, SOM included, offer a wide variety of fellowships, scholarships, grants, and internships for people working in non-profits and non-profit related organizations.

Try Yale, Berkeley, Michigan, Duke, and Harvard.

You might find some good information here as well, http://www.netimpact.org/ [Note: while this is the correct URL for Net Impact, for some reason it was not working this morning when I tested these links.]

[Moderator's note: SOM also presented, in 2002-05, a national business plan competition for social enterprises, with $4.5 million of funding from the Goldman Sachs Foundation and the Pew Charitable Trusts. More info at http://www.ventures.yale.edu . While this competition has now run its course, there is still considerable SE focus at SOM, including faculty (particularly Sharon Oster)  with a special interest in the field. For the sake of full disclosure: I'm an SOM grad and worked as a consultant to the business plan competition.]

(5) From Tonia Papke <tonia@mdiconsult.com>
I would look at Columbia Business School. Ray Horton runs a strong non-profit division. I know that the Department produces thoughtful written materials and holds an annual conference so it would be worth checking out.

(6) From Kim Praitano <praitano@worldnet.att.net>
Look into Harvard's MBA program. They have a Social Enterprise component and three CEU programs specializing in social enterprise. I have taken their social enterprise program entitled, "Excellence in Nonprofit Governance," and it was excellent. They encourage women to apply. They have an extensive website http://www.hbs.edu that provides information on social enterprise.

(7) From Mark Reed <markreed@aol.com>
I'm a 1999 graduate of the Stern School of Business at New York University. Since I graduated, the school has developed a well-supported social entrepreneurship track. Stuart Satter, an alum, has funded a social entrepreneurship business plan competition for the past two years, awarding $100k to each year's winner. Even more interestingly, one year ago, the school received a $10 million donation from the Catherine Reynolds Foundation to establish a cross-disciplinary program in social entrepreneurship.

This program is run out of NYU's Wagner School of Public Service, but the fellowships under the program are available to applicants from all schools. I participated as a judge in reviewing applicants this Spring and was very impressed with the breadth and quality of applicants and overall energy at the place. I strongly encourage you to look into NYU. You can't beat NYC as a laboratory for social enterprise & entrepreneurship.

(8) From Norris Krueger <norris.krueger@gmail.com>
Lots of them - newly added are programs at U of Tampa (contact Dianne Welsh)  and Indiana U. Both ust added certificate programs.  NYU (Jeff Robinson) , IESE in Barcelona (Johanna Mair) , the Said B-School at Oxford (Alex Nicholls) , London B-School (John Mullins) , Stanford.  If interested in sustainability, contact Tom Dean at Colorado - terrific stuff there!

However, if you are really passionate about SE, then go to the right school for you. The MBA degree is very much a mature industry, so you should be able to find the right school/location for you THEN focus all your efforts on SE-related class projects, etc. Doesn't have to be a high-powered (and spendy)  school like those I mentioned.

You might also surf over to Ashoka (and Skoll's)  http://www.universitynetwork.org and see who has posted stuff there; regardless, if you are interested in a school, I'd be happy to find out who the key contact for SE is at that school.

(9) From Adeeba <adeterville@earthlink.net>
Presidio School of Management in San Francisco - it's the only MBA program in the U.S. with a 100% focus on Sustainable Management - which is very closely associated with Social Enterprise work. I plan to obtain my MBA there myself.

(10) From Lyla Hamilton" <ld_hamilton@yahoo.com>
A good place to start: http://www.beyondgreypinstripes.org/ Aspen Institute does a periodic study of MBA programs that address "social and environmental stewardship." Results are on this site.  Take what the schools say about themselves with a grain or two of salt. Talk to alumni and current students to find out whether the school is really committed to social enterprise/entrepreneurship.

(11) From Grant Hunter <grant@thebizhunter.com>
You should check out: http://www.beyondgreypinstripes.org/index.cfm

You can download their 2005 report for free as a PDF from the site. The 2007 report will be coming out later in the fall.  I wish you luck in your MBA program search. I would caution you that, despite the historical prestige of the MBA degree, it may not be the door opener for specific jobs in social enterprise or entrepreneurship that you hope. I know recent grads of some of the listed programs who are struggling to find work for the mere fact that there are so few MBA-level positions available -- at least in the for-profit, corporate Arena -- for candidates with these specific qualifications.

You may have better luck with a nonprofit pursuing earned income strategies or certainly with an entrepreneurial start-up. It is a good generalist foundation however that will probably serve you well, just be clear of the type of environment in which you ultimately want to work and then work backwards to see if the degree will help get you there.

(12) From Shyno Chacko" <shynochacko@yahoo.com>
There are several MBA programs with a strong program in Social Entrepreneurship. Visit http://www.UniversityNetwork.org to see a full list of schools and links to their programs. Go to the teaching section, then Universities.  Duke, Stanford, NYU and Oxford have some of the best programs. Many universities are also in the process of developing their own programs and have several classes.

(13) From Vic Henschel <vhenschel@coherenttechgroup.com>
Check out the web site for the Business and Society Program at the Aspen Institute www.aspenbsp.org. Click on the link to www.beyondgreypinstripes.org. My wife, Judy Samuelson is the Executive Director at Aspen for these programs.

(14) From Mohamed Maie <tools4humanity@yahoo.com>
I am Student at Cape Breton University's CBU MBA(Community Economic Development) in Canada.  I think social enterprise is very close to CED when it comes to social entrepreneurship, Please check if you can use MBA (CED)  @ CBU Halifax, NS in Canada.