by Janine Vanderburg, CEO, Joining Vision and Action

Who doesn't want one of these mugs from Hope Tank? One for you. One for a friend.

Who doesn’t want one of these mugs from Hope Tank? One for you. One for a friend.

As we approach the end of the year, all of us have an incredible opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those around us by shopping for a cause, or doing your holiday shopping through social enterprises.

Messenger bag from Mile High Workshop

Messenger bag from Mile High Workshop

What are social enterprises? They are businesses—sometimes run by nonprofit organizations and sometimes not—that are organized to have social impact as well as to make money.

When you shop from social enterprises, not only are you purchasing wonderful gifts from your loved ones, you are also helping to employ people with multiple barriers to employment, support organizations who are fighting injustice and promoting mental health, and many other important causes.

To make it easier for you to shop social enterprises this holiday season, JVA is partnering with the Colorado chapter of the Social Enterprise Alliance to host a social enterprise marketplace at our holiday party on December 14. In addition to enjoying food, drink and the company of good friends, you’ll be able to shop for gifts from social enterprises that are doing so much for our community.

Here are just a few that will be present, and we’re continuing to add more:

  • Hope Tank
Batbox from Earthlinks—who can resist?

Batbox from Earthlinks—who can resist?

  • Pearl Street Lights
  • EarthLinks, In.
  • Liberti
  • Birds of Hope
  • Ten Thousand Villages
  • Muse in Motion
  • Mile High Workshop
  • Sweet Bee Sisters
  • Thoughtfish Cards
  • So join us for a fun evening of convening with friends and colleagues who care about community and social change, and put your money where your heart is—through shopping social enterprise!