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Changing the world, social business model, social entrepreneurship models, social innovation models
I’ve been diligently researching the social entrepreneurship and Christian social justice movement over the last couple years. Based on the research of the social entrepreneurship movement (also sometimes called social innovation), I’ve identified a couple key opportunities. Serving the marginalized (poor, homeless, immigrants, orphans, widows, etc.). Be Jesus’ hands and feet.
Here are twelve opportunities for Christian social entrepreneurs in the US and developed world:

Membership based associations

This sounds like a non-profit, but associations are far more. Members benefit from insights, collective intelligence, networking, and learning opportunities within associations (or membership organizations). Christian business organizations like C-12 prove that this model can work.

In addition, most all professional associations along with the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) in the secular world prove that this can provide genuine value to members (AMA for marketing, ASTD for training, SHRM for human resources, and for PRSA for public relations can all provide interesting insights).

If there is a void in the market for these types of self-development organizations–this can be an opportunity. [various other kinds of meta-organizations fulfill a similar role]. Also, there is an opportunity to form nested organizations (in other words sub-organizations which speak to a specific demographic like PR freelancers/PR entrepreneurs instead of corporate).

Career training and skills education for marginalized (immigrant, minority, disabled, youth, etc).

Obviously zeroing in on the target population & the need for the product or service to consumer is part of making this work (the later probably being the most important). Organizations that have done this well include: REDF, the Delancy Street Foundation, and Juma Ventures (and Juma Enterprises) (Others include Greyston Bakery, Crysalis, and Housing Works Inc). I noticed Just Work in Canada which offers home repair, catering, and pottery.

Training/consulting/education

I think there is a big opportunity in e-learning content services, because of its ability to scale one persons insights to lots of decentralized people. Webinars offer this opportunity.

Conflict resolution services

Other forms of facilitation or listening or perhaps even negotiation)

Lean consulting

.

Anything which eliminates waste is generally helpful (there are some unfortunate side effects here, but you could evolve your practice to help solve those issues)

Corporate ethics CSR consulting or education

This could be provided in conjunction with pr services).

Healthy living

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From food to fitness and beyond. Jaime Oliver is doing this with his food revolution. Food Gathers is doing this as well. (the later I believe is more voluntary & nonprofit in nature

Budget education

Christian Business Coach or Career Counselor

Career coach, etc.

Videographer or photographer for nonprofits and social change organizations

Of course any number of creative services fit this need which includes web, brand, logo, motion graphics, animation, and a host of copywriting opportunities).

A new trend is collectivity (think Zip Cars

I think this has interesting application to the Bible as well. [Although I think the profit potential is hard to quantify--a combination of 1, 2, #3 seems to be based on the same principles, and offer a clear idea of profit). However, if this is a church initiative and profit isn't an issue--this may be great. (it could be that 50 to 100% of the money families saved could be spent helping with clean water, micro-drip irrigation, or missions)

Providing transparency or efficiency in government Service innovation or design

Obviously training services can be provided as part of 4 through 6 as part of a larger association or community group based on membership]

Here are eight additional ideas for social entrepreneurship in the developing world and emerging markets:

Sell crafts from the developing world in the US, Canada, Europe, and the more developed parts of Asia.

Also worth checking out is micro-franchising.

Another part of this movement is called Business as Mission, many of which have overseas roles. Researching their models, successes, and failures should prove insightful. One assumption of most of the above is working on your own organization, instead of joining an existing one (working as an innovative intra-preneur).

Five interesting questions moving forward

What am I good at? What am I gifted in? What am I passionate about?

This is also critical to avoid wasting tons of money. (and prototyping & testing if at all possible)
(Franchise an existing idea or model)

How you can learn more about social entrepreneurship for Christians?

First, you can read my article on social business revenue models, which has more models and strategic ideas (you can find twelve more here).