Social enterprises are businesses that address social problems in order to improve people’s lives, communities, and the environment while striving to become financially sustainable. They increase social impact by often reinvesting surplus rather than maximizing profit to external stockholders. Whether they are for-profit or non-profit, the “mission driven” entities sell products or services to generate revenue that fuels their growth. There is often a creative use of subsidized funds in the early stages that then form the basis for long term sustainability without further philanthropy.