NONPROFIT/SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY Social Enterprise Greenhouse
Social Enterprise Greenhouse’s mission is to grow and support social enterprises – such as the Capital Good Fund, a nonprofit offering financial services to the underserved, for example – as part of another goal: a broader, regional social ecosystem.
When Your Period Is Disrupting Your Life, It’s Time to Talk About It
For many women, heavy or irregular menstrual cycles are often brushed off as “normal”—something to…
Learn More
It helps business ventures that look to address challenging social issues, such as access to healthy food, employment and affordable health care for all.
Social Enterprise Greenhouse also works with companies that look to boost their contributions to the greater social good, offering specialists, insight and resources.
Providence-based SEG is in a unique position: helping to “foster a just and resilient economy that benefits everyone,” as its website states, while at the same time ensuring its own operations are doing the same, promoting diversity and inclusion as well.
“We are working internally and externally,” to ensure those of all races, genders, abilities, classes, religions and immigration status are represented, said CEO Kelly Ramirez, “Not only on the board of directors [but] also in our network of volunteers. It’s important to have that capacity in order to better serve the communities we aim to serve … we will work on it and continue to get better and better.”
SEG is a group led by women in the male-dominated field of business and entrepreneurship, points out company Diversity Manager Preetilata Hashemi.
With a network of more than 250 volunteers, it reports having served more than 400 ventures in the past eight years. Most ventures are led by women – 60 percent – and almost one-quarter are run by those in minority groups. SEG runs a business-accelerator program, workshops, post-accelerator customized consultations and a loan fund. It also offers a co-working space and partnerships with all of Rhode Island’s colleges, matching students with internships or graduates with jobs in SEG ventures.
Two years ago, SEG split its work into venture categories: food; health and wellness; water, energy and the environment; and aging. As it works to serve these ventures (or businesses looking to components in these categories, such as installing energy-efficient lighting, for example), it has set its own broader inclusion goals, said Ramirez.
Internally, feedback and coaching are part of SEG’s management process, allowing equal opportunity for improvement and advancement. All staff members get a professional-development budget for classes or other education in areas they choose, as well as an opportunity to have a designated coach.
In addition to equality in professional advancement, SEG staff get training specifically in diversity and inclusion in the form of a half-day retreat, and social-justice training from an outside agency.
This year, Ramirez said, a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force was established with members from all levels of the organization. Recruitment, training and accountability are on its agenda, as well as potential fundraising for future DEI initiatives.
Knowing that more is accomplished together, SEG looks to form more alliances with groups that serve diverse populations they wish to reach. It is planning grass-roots outreach efforts to spread the word about SEG and the diverse populations it serves; and customizing outreach materials so they are accessible and relevant to all.
And so far, early diversity metrics are strong for SEG’s new incubator program for early-stage entrepreneurs, said Hashemi.
SEG’s launch of the Best for RI awards pilot program has resulted in more volunteers, sponsors and mentors, she said. The initiative honors those in the community who are making a difference. Six organizations were recognized for their social-enterprise achievements in the program’s first year, helping to promote SEG in the diverse markets it looks to reach.
SEG aims to expand its diversity internally and externally so it is better positioned to serve its markets.
“Our vision is to get Rhode Island recognized as the best place on the East Coast to launch and grow an impact venture,” said Ramirez.
Diversity and inclusion are crucial elements in achieving that goal.
