Social Enterprise Business Plan Template
If you want to start a successful social enterprise business or expand your current social enterprise business, you need a business plan.
Fortunately, you’re in the right place. Our team has helped develop over 100,000 business plans over the past 20 years, including thousands of social enterprise business plans.
The following social enterprise business plan template and example gives you the key elements you must include in your plan. In our experience speaking with lenders and investors, the template is organized in the precise format they want.
Social Enterprise Business Plan Example
I. Executive Summary
Business Overview
[Company Name] is a new social enterprise located in [location]. Our mission is to help local unemployed residents build essential job skills. Funding will come from donations, grants, and the sale of second hand clothes and goods. The profits from our sales will go directly towards funding and developing courses and programs that will teach at-risk residents important skills that will help them in a variety of career paths.
Products And Services
Our main goal is to provide courses and programs that teach unemployed residents skills they need to get back into the workforce. These courses will be offered for free so that there is no barrier to them getting the education they need. Some example courses we will offer include:
- Programming
- Marketing
- Data entry
- Microsoft Office
In order to fund these courses, we will use the profit we earn from selling used clothes and wares in our thrift stores. Some of the used items we will sell in our stores include:
- Books
- Clothing
- Dinnerware
- Jewelry
- Furniture
- Toys and games
Customer Focus
[Company Name] will serve the residents living in [location] and the surrounding areas. The demographics of these residents are as follows:
- 57,827 residents
- Average income of $44,700
- 52.8% married
- Unemployed: 15%
- Below Poverty Line: 7.1%
- Median age: 38 years
The demographics of our town show that the unemployment rate is much higher than the national average despite there being good opportunities available for work. We believe that a skill gap is a major cause of this, and we are setting out to fix that by providing free skill-building courses.
Management Team
[Company Name] is led by [Founder’s Name], who has a track record of success with social enterprises. His whole life, [Founder’s Name] has been dedicated to doing work that helps the community. For [X] years, he was the Chief Operations Officer of a microlending business that has helped fund the dreams of hundreds of entrepreneurs across the world. During this time, he learned the operations and management aspects of running such an enterprise and therefore knows how to run a similar business.
Over the past few years, he noticed that local unemployment rates were rising higher and higher. When discussing the issue with local leaders and entrepreneurs, he found that a major part of the problem was a skill gap. That’s when he developed the idea to create a store that will help fund courses to teach local residents essential skills they need for a better career.
Success Factors
[Company Name] is uniquely qualified to succeed due to the following reasons:
- There is a massive need to serve the unemployed in our community. Doing so will increase the quality of life, decrease unemployment and job vacancy rates, and decrease crime rates.
- There is no other local organization supporting this critical need.
- The management team has a track record of success achieving the goals of our company and other organizations for which we have worked.
- Members of our community fully support and believe in our mission.
Financial Highlights
[Company Name] is currently seeking $570,000 to launch. Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:
- Store design/build: $200,000
- Classroom design/build: $100,000
- Equipment: $50,000
- Working capital: $220,000 to pay for marketing, salaries, and lease costs until [Company Name] reaches break-even
Top line projections over the next five years are as follows:
| Financial Summary | FY 1 | FY 2 | FY 3 | FY 4 | FY 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $560,401 | $782,152 | $1,069,331 | $1,379,434 | $1,699,644 |
| Total Expenses | $328,233 | $391,429 | $552,149 | $696,577 | $776,687 |
| EBITDA | $232,168 | $390,722 | $517,182 | $682,858 | $922,956 |
| Depreciation | $7,000 | $7,000 | $7,000 | $7,000 | $7,000 |
| EBIT | $225,168 | $383,722 | $510,182 | $675,858 | $915,956 |
| Interest | $6,016 | $5,264 | $4,512 | $3,760 | $3,008 |
| Pre Tax Income | $219,152 | $378,458 | $505,670 | $672,098 | $912,948 |
| Income Tax Expense | $76,703 | $132,460 | $176,985 | $235,234 | $319,532 |
| Net Income | $142,449 | $245,998 | $328,686 | $436,864 | $593,416 |
| Net Profit Margin | 25% | 31% | 31% | 32% | 35% |
II. Company Overview
Who is [Company Name]?
[Company Name] is a social enterprise dedicated to helping the unemployed of [location] get the work they deserve. We aim to fulfill this mission by providing courses in essential skills such as marketing, data entry, and Microsoft Office. We will fund these courses and programs primarily through the sale of used items in our thrift store. Our stores will take many gently used items, including books, clothes, wares, toys, and more. Though we expect to make a profit by selling these items, all proceeds will go towards funding our programs.
[Company Name] was founded by [Founder’s Name] who has prior success with social enterprises. He has lived in the area for decades, so he could not help but worry as the unemployment rate climbed higher and higher over recent years. While talking with other leaders in the area, he discovered that this was partially due to a skill gap. He set out to create his own social enterprise that would provide the unemployed of [location] with skills needed to better their careers.
[Company Name]’s History
[Founder’s Name] incorporated [Company Name] as a B-Corporation on [date of incorporation]. The company is currently being run out of [Founder’s Name]’s home, but once the store and classrooms are developed, all operations will run from there.
Since incorporation, the [Company Name] has achieved the following milestones:
- Located available space to build the store and adjoining classrooms
- Developed the company’s name, logo, and website located at [website]
- Developed a social media presence
- Began recruiting key employees
[Company Name]’s Products/Services
Our main goal is to provide courses and programs that teach unemployed residents skills they need to get back into the workforce. These courses will be offered free of charge, so that there is no barrier to them getting the education they need. Some example courses we will offer include:
- Programming
- Marketing
- Data entry
- Microsoft Office
The proceeds of our thrift store sales will go to fund these courses. Some of the used items we will sell in our stores include:
- Books
- Clothing
- Dinnerware
- Jewelry
- Furniture
- Toys and games
III. Industry Analysis
As the demand for social progress and change increases, social enterprises are just one way that entrepreneurs and activists are effecting that change. From utilizing fair trade resources to make their products to selling items that help fund social programs, social enterprises are making social change happen across the globe. People demand more from the companies they patronize, so many businesses are starting up with social or environmental change in mind.
While corporate greed is nothing new, younger generations are increasingly active in countering this greed and elevating social consciousness. As a result, consumers no longer will just take any product or be loyal to any company, especially one that treats its workers poorly or contributes to a major social problem. Consumers want to not only feel good about the items they purchase, but also feel that they are contributing to the greater good, so they seek to do business with ethical companies like social enterprises. With such overwhelming support, this is a great era where many social enterprises will thrive.
Furthermore, there are numerous thrift stores across the nation that operate as nonprofits or as part of social enterprises. Therefore, this is a proven business model that can easily succeed.
IV. Customer Analysis
Demographic Profile of Target Market
[Company Name] will serve the community residents of [location] and its surrounding areas.
The community in general has been struggling over the past few years with a high unemployment rate, low average salary, and a noticeable skill gap. We aim to help residents by offering free courses that will teach residents essential skills needed in today’s job market. Funding will come in part from selling low cost thrift items and clothing.
Customer Segmentation
[Company Name] will primarily target three customer segments:
- Unemployed Residents: Many people who are unemployed for long periods of time lack the marketable skills needed to get them back into a career. We will market our free courses to these residents so that they can sign up and learn essential skills.
- Residents without access to education: Formal education is no longer affordable. Many people get stuck working in low-paying jobs simply because they cannot afford a formal degree. Our courses are free and open to people with all levels of education.
- Thrift shoppers: Thrift shopping has become all the rage. Not only do people enjoy buying cheap products but they also love helping the planet by reusing items instead of buying new goods. Therefore, many residents will be excited to see a new second hand store in town. They also enjoy the added benefit of contributing to a program that helps their local community.
V. Competitive Analysis
Direct & Indirect Competitors
The following companies offering similar products and services are located within a 10-mile radius of [Company Name], thus providing either direct or indirect competition for customers:
Hal’s Thrift Store
Hal’s Thrift Store is a local thrift store that has served the local population since 1988. It was the first major thrift store in town and helped spread awareness of all the benefits of purchasing used items. Almost everything second hand can be purchased at Hal’s, from clothing and shoes to books and games.
However, Hal’s Thrift Store is not a social enterprise. While popular and appealing, it is simply a local business that keeps all of its profits. So although we expect Hal’s to continue to thrive, we expect many residents will prefer [Company Name] for its social programs.
Kitten Thrift Store
Kitten Thrift Store is a social enterprise thrift store whose profits benefit cats in shelters and foster care. The proceeds help to buy food, toys, and pay for vet visits and medical treatments. The money raised through this social enterprise has helped thousands of cats in [location] and nearby areas, with many finding loving permanent homes thanks to the awareness the thrift store spreads.
We expect Kitten Thrift Store to continue to thrive due to its noble cause. However, anyone who isn’t a fan of cats but still wants to contribute to a good cause may find [Company Name] a more appealing thrift store to patronize.
Goodwill Industries
Goodwill has been the most popular thrift store in the United States for decades. Established in 1902, Goodwill’s goal is to raise funds by selling second hand items in order to fund programs that help disabled and underserved populations get stable employment. People can find almost anything second hand at their local Goodwill, from vintage clothing, to albums, to rare trading cards.
However, Goodwill has been the subject of controversy in recent years. Multiple investigations have found that while Goodwill executives are taking in millions in their salaries, programs are being defunded or operated minimally. Furthermore, the organization is known to pay its employees under minimum wage and treat them poorly. Because of all these problems, many people have turned away from Goodwill and are looking to more ethical thrift stores such as [Company Name].
Competitive Advantage
[Company Name] enjoys several advantages over its competitors. These advantages include:
- Our mission: We have an important mission that serves the local community. This puts us at a great advantage over other thrift stores who only operate for profit.
- Location: We will be located in the heart of downtown [location]. This is a high traffic area that is easily accessible by foot, car, or public transportation.
- Management: The management team has a track record of success in social enterprises that will prove valuable to our cause.
VI. Marketing Plan
You can download our Business Plan Template (including a full, customizable financial model) to your computer here.
[Company Name] seeks to position itself as a high-quality thrift store that provides numerous benefits to the community. We pride ourselves in our mission and our connection with local residents.
The [Company Name] Brand
The [Company Name] brand will focus on the company’s unique value proposition:
- Funding courses and programs that will address the skill gap and unemployment issues in [location]
- Offering a welcoming environment where residents can find high-quality second hand items
- Offering a central location in the downtown area
- Providing excellent customer service
Promotions Strategy
[Company Name] expects its target market to be residents living within a 10-mile radius of its location. [Company Name]’s promotion strategy to reach these potential customers includes:
Website/SEO
[Company Name] will develop a professional website that displays photos of our store and a schedule of upcoming classes and programs. The company will also invest in SEO so that the company’s website will appear at the top of search engine results.
Social Media
[Company Name] will utilize various social media platforms to engage with local residents and spread awareness of our mission. The company will use targeted marketing to appeal to our target demographics.
Community Events/Organizations
The company will promote itself by distributing marketing materials and participating in local community events, such as fairs, festivals, and sporting events.
Direct Mail
[Company Name] will blanket neighborhoods with direct mail pieces. These pieces will provide general information on [Company Name], and discuss course and program offerings and common inventory in the store.
Pre-Opening Events
Before opening the store, [Company Name] will organize pre-opening events designed for prospective local customers and press contacts. These events will create buzz and awareness for [Company Name] in the area.
Public Relations
We will contact all local and regional area newspapers and television stations to tell them about the store opening and the mission of [Company Name].
Pricing Strategy
Since all of our items will be received for free and will be second hand, we will price everything significantly lower than their retail value, but high enough to ensure the company makes a profit.
VII. Operations Plan
Functional Roles
In order to execute [Company Name]’s business model, the company needs to perform many functions, including the following:
Executive Functions
- General management of the company
- Hiring and training staff
- Maintaining the vision of the company
Administrative Functions
- Bookkeeping
- Marketing
- General administrative tasks
- Scheduling courses
- Signing attendees up for courses and programs
Retail Functions
- Accepting thrift donations
- Repurposing donated items for resale
- Operating cashier and process payment methods
- Providing excellent customer service
- Maintenance functions
Service Functions
- Creating courses around the most in-demand skills
- Developing coursework, lessons, and materials
- Tutoring students who are struggling
Milestones
The following are a series of steps that lead to our vision of long-term success. [Company Name] expects to achieve the following milestones in the following [xyz] months:
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| [Date 1] | Finalize lease agreement |
| [Date 2] | Design and build out [Company Name] |
| [Date 3] | Hire and train initial staff |
| [Date 4] | Kickoff of promotional campaign |
| [Date 5] | Launch [Company Name] |
| [Date 6] | Reach break-even |
VIII. Management Team
Management Team Members
[Company Name] is led by [Founder’s Name], who has a track record of success with social enterprises. For his whole life, [Founder’s Name] has been dedicated to doing work that helps the community at large. For [X] years, he was the Chief Operations Officer of a microlending business that has helped fund the dreams of hundreds of entrepreneurs across the world. During this time, he learned the operations and management aspects of running such an enterprise. Furthermore, [Founder’s Name] graduated from the University of ABC where he majored in Business Administration.
Over the past few years, he noticed that local unemployment rates were rising higher and higher. When discussing the issue with other major leaders and entrepreneurs he found that part of the problem was a skill gap. That’s when he set up the idea to create a store that will help fund courses to teach local residents essential skills they need for a great career.
[Other person] serves as the Chief Marketing Officer for [Company Name]. She has been working in marketing for [X] years, primarily for non-profits and other social enterprises. She brings a great deal of experience and skills that will give [Company Name] a great social presence.
[Other person] serves as the Chief Financial Officer for [Company Name]. She has worked in Finance for [X] years for nonprofit organizations, such as [name of corporation]. She is highly skilled at managing finances for nonprofits, and can help us budget accordingly for our mission and programs.
Hiring Plan
[Founder’s Name] will serve as the President and CEO of [Company Name]. In order to launch the business, we need to hire the following personnel:
- Store Manager
- Assistant Managers (2 to start)
- Cashiers/Store Representatives (4 to start)
- Administrative Assistant (1 to start)
- Educators/Course Instructors (2 to start)
IX. Financial Plan
Revenue and Cost Drivers
[Company Name]’s revenue will come from the sales of items sold in the thrift store.
The major costs for the company will be the salaries of the staff and the cost of maintaining the store. In the initial years, the company’s marketing spending will be high as it establishes itself in the market.
Capital Requirements and Use of Funds
[Company Name] is currently seeking $570,000 to launch. The capital will be used for funding capital expenditures, labor, marketing expenses, and working capital.
Specifically, these funds will be used as follows:
- Store design/build: $200,000
- Classroom design/build: $100,000
- Equipment: $50,000
- Working capital: $220,000 to pay for marketing, salaries, and lease costs until [Company Name] reaches break-even
Key Assumptions
The following table reflects the key revenue and cost assumptions made in the financial model:
| Number of customers per day | |
|---|---|
| FY 1 | 75 |
| FY 2 | 100 |
| FY 3 | 125 |
| FY 4 | 150 |
| FY 5 | 175 |
| Annual Lease ( per location) | $50,000 |
5 Year Annual Income Statement
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | ||||||
| Product/Service A | $151,200 | $333,396 | $367,569 | $405,245 | $446,783 | |
| Product/Service B | $100,800 | $222,264 | $245,046 | $270,163 | $297,855 | |
| Total Revenues | $252,000 | $555,660 | $612,615 | $675,408 | $744,638 | |
| Expenses & Costs | ||||||
| Cost of goods sold | $57,960 | $122,245 | $122,523 | $128,328 | $134,035 | |
| Lease | $60,000 | $61,500 | $63,038 | $64,613 | $66,229 | |
| Marketing | $20,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | $25,000 | |
| Salaries | $133,890 | $204,030 | $224,943 | $236,190 | $248,000 | |
| Other Expenses | $3,500 | $4,000 | $4,500 | $5,000 | $5,500 | |
| Total Expenses & Costs | $271,850 | $412,775 | $435,504 | $454,131 | $473,263 | |
| EBITDA | ($19,850) | $142,885 | $177,112 | $221,277 | $271,374 | |
| Depreciation | $36,960 | $36,960 | $36,960 | $36,960 | $36,960 | |
| EBIT | ($56,810) | $105,925 | $140,152 | $184,317 | $234,414 | |
| Interest | $23,621 | $20,668 | $17,716 | $14,763 | $11,810 | |
| PRETAX INCOME | ($80,431) | $85,257 | $122,436 | $169,554 | $222,604 | |
| Net Operating Loss | ($80,431) | ($80,431) | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Income Tax Expense | $0 | $1,689 | $42,853 | $59,344 | $77,911 | |
| NET INCOME | ($80,431) | $83,568 | $79,583 | $110,210 | $144,693 | |
| Net Profit Margin (%) | - | 15.00% | 13.00% | 16.30% | 19.40% |
5 Year Annual Balance Sheet
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASSETS | ||||||
| Cash | $16,710 | $90,188 | $158,957 | $258,570 | $392,389 | |
| Accounts receivable | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Inventory | $21,000 | $23,153 | $25,526 | $28,142 | $31,027 | |
| Total Current Assets | $37,710 | $113,340 | $184,482 | $286,712 | $423,416 | |
| Fixed assets | $246,450 | $246,450 | $246,450 | $246,450 | $246,450 | |
| Depreciation | $36,960 | $73,920 | $110,880 | $147,840 | $184,800 | |
| Net fixed assets | $209,490 | $172,530 | $135,570 | $98,610 | $61,650 | |
| TOTAL ASSETS | $247,200 | $285,870 | $320,052 | $385,322 | $485,066 | |
| LIABILITIES & EQUITY | ||||||
| Debt | $317,971 | $272,546 | $227,122 | $181,698 | $136,273 | |
| Accounts payable | $9,660 | $10,187 | $10,210 | $10,694 | $11,170 | |
| Total Liabilities | $327,631 | $282,733 | $237,332 | $192,391 | $147,443 | |
| Share Capital | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | |
| Retained earnings | ($80,431) | $3,137 | $82,720 | $192,930 | $337,623 | |
| Total Equity | ($80,431) | $3,137 | $82,720 | $192,930 | $337,623 | |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES & EQUITY | $247,200 | $285,870 | $320,052 | $385,322 | $485,066 |
5 Year Annual Cash Flow Statement
| Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS | |||||
| Net Income (Loss) | ($80,431) | $83,568 | $79,583 | $110,210 | $144,693 |
| Change in working capital | ($11,340) | ($1,625) | ($2,350) | ($2,133) | ($2,409) |
| Depreciation | $36,960 | $36,960 | $36,960 | $36,960 | $36,960 |
| Net Cash Flow from Operations | ($54,811) | $118,902 | $114,193 | $145,037 | $179,244 |
| CASH FLOW FROM INVESTMENTS | |||||
| Investment | ($246,450) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Net Cash Flow from Investments | ($246,450) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING | |||||
| Cash from equity | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Cash from debt | $317,971 | ($45,424) | ($45,424) | ($45,424) | ($45,424) |
| Net Cash Flow from Financing | $317,971 | ($45,424) | ($45,424) | ($45,424) | ($45,424) |
| SUMMARY | |||||
| Net Cash Flow | $16,710 | $73,478 | $68,769 | $99,613 | $133,819 |
| Cash at Beginning of Period | $0 | $16,710 | $90,188 | $158,957 | $258,570 |
| Cash at End of Period | $16,710 | $90,188 | $158,957 | $258,570 | $392,389 |
