Social enterprises are businesses that have clear social and/or environmental aims. They generate most of their income through trade (rather than, for example, grants), and reinvest most of their profits to further their social and/or environmental aims.
A social enterprise is not a legal structure in itself. There are a number of legal structures a business could adopt when setting up as a social enterprise. Our information on Legal Structures for Not for Profit organisations outlines the range of options available when setting up social enterprises.
The Resource Centre does not specialise in supporting the establishment of social enterprises. Click on the Links tab for organisations that offer services to social enterprises.
Legal structures for community groups and not-for-profit organisations
This page provides simple explanation of different types of not-for-profit organisation, and what to consider when choosing a legal structure.
With thanks to the
