Social Entrepreneurship: An Evidence-Based Approach to Creating Social Value

chapter SIX

Funding Social Entrepreneurship

In 1988, David Lee, chef and entrepreneur, recognized a need to serve Seattle's homeless and disadvantaged populations with nutritious and culturally appealing food. To that end, Lee founded Common Meals, a for-profit business with a social mission.¹ The business used church kitchens, delivered meals out of a truck, and sold inexpensive meals out of church basements. After four years, Lee expanded the program into job training, obtained a location, and transformed the organization into a nonprofit named FareStart. In 2003, FareStart launched the Barista Training & Education Program (in collaboration with another nonprofit), to provide at-risk youth with an opportunity to develop job skills and reconnect ...