10 Best Social Entrepreneurship Books

Here are 10 of the best business books available today for social entrepreneurs. Note that these books are not ranked and are listed in no particular order.

Also Recommended: Check out our list of the best startup books.

In "Rise Up," author Russ Stoddard provides insightful advice on how founders can create a purpose-driven business. He starts by defining what it means to be a social enterprise before walking readers through the entire process of founding and managing a company that is designed for social change. 

Along with being a highly successful entrepreneur, Russ Stoddard has been committed to helping his community thrive for the better part of his life. If you are looking for a first-hand account of what it takes to succeed as a social entrepreneur, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better book than "Rise Up."

TOMS Shoes is a company that is credited with helping kickstart the "one-for-one" movement — a model where companies donate a product to charity for every product that is purchased. In the case of TOMS Shoes, this means donating a pair of shoes to a child in need for every purchase. 

In "Start Something That Matters," TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie presents a biography of his company along with case studies of other social enterprises and Mycoskie's principles on "starting something that matters." It's an inspiring and easily-digestible read that anyone looking for insight into the world of social entrepreneurship is sure to enjoy. 

"How to Change the World" is a book that is chock-full of actionable advice and real-world case studies on how entrepreneurs can make a positive difference in the world. From the characteristics of successful social entrepreneurs to the trends that are poised to have the biggest impact on the future of social entrepreneurship, Bornstein provides a picture of modern social entrepreneurship from a range of fascinating angles. 

If you need more convincing to check this book out, consider the fact that it was recommended by Nelson Mandela, who called the book "wonderfully hopeful and enlightening."

Muhammad Yunus made his name in the world of social entrepreneurship by pioneering the idea of "microloans" — a model that provides small loans to impoverished borrowers. In "Building Social Business," Yunus discusses his work with microloans and his experience building other businesses meant to assist the less fortunate. 

Part of what makes "Building Social Business" an interesting read is that Yunus offers a completely unique definition of what it means to found a "social business." If you would like to create a company that actually supports the poor rather than taking advantage of them, then you are sure to find plenty of valuable lessons and insights in "Building a Social Business,"

There is a big difference between social entrepreneurs who are truly committed to making a positive difference and those that are simply interested in leveraging the model of social entrepreneurship to get rich. While there's certainly nothing wrong with starting a company that both makes an impact and turns a profit, "Winners Take All" is a book that forces its readers to decide where their true interests lie. 

In "Winners Take All," Anand Giridharadas asks social entrepreneurs to reflect on whether they are actually driving positive change or simply appearing to do good to earn the goodwill of their customers. For those who are genuinely committed to the former and not afraid of a little introspection, "Winners Take All" is a must-read book. 

Looking for more book recommendations? We asked startup founders to share their favorite books on entrepreneurship, and here's what they said.

"Utopia" is a concept that tends to make most people a little anxious. As history and fiction alike have demonstrated, there seems to be a fine line between "utopia" and "dystopia". But what if we changed our definition of utopia to one that's a little more practical and achievable? 

In "Utopia for Realists," this is the vision that Rutger Bregman presents. While the book is largely geared toward what world governments can do to help build an ideal world, there is a big role for social entrepreneurs to play in Bregman's vision of Utopia as well. 

The business world is often associated with greed and self-interest. However, this doesn't have to be the case. In fact, Dr. Adam Grant argues that companies that focus on giving rather than taking are actually more successful than those that exist only to make their founders wealthy. 

This isn't just a hopeful idea, as Dr. Grant provides real data to back up his claim that companies are rewarded when they focus on giving instead of taking. If you are like many budding entrepreneurs who are dismayed by the idea that you have to sell your soul to achieve business success, then you are sure to find "Give and Take" to be a breath of fresh air. 

Paul Hargreaves has over 20 years of experience creating purpose-driven companies. In "Forces for Good," he recounts this experience and the important lessons that he has learned along the way. 

One thing that sets "Forces for Good" apart from many books on social entrepreneurship is that the book spends a lot of time focusing on how current business owners can evolve their existing companies to be more purpose-driven. If you have already founded a company and would like to implement more purpose and empathy into your business, then be sure to give “Forces for Good" a read.

Eleven years after donating a blue sweater to Goodwill, Jacqueline Novogratz spotted a young boy in Africa wearing the very sweater that she had donated. This is the anecdote that inspired "The Blue Sweater" and just one of many that Novogratz uses to showcase how our actions have a very real impact on the world. 

As the founder of Acumen — an organization that funds social enterprises and is committed to helping bring people out of poverty — Novogratz knows a thing or two about social entrepreneurship. Along with plenty of heartwarming stories, "The Blue Sweater" also provides actionable advice on how to found a company that makes a difference.

When Patagonia was founded in 1973, it became one of the world's first true social enterprises. In "The Responsible Company," Patagonia founders Yvon Chouinard and Vincent Stanley reflect on their past forty years with the business, describing the important lessons they've learned along the way. 

"The Responsible Company" is a book on how companies can reduce their environmental footprint and treat both their customers and employees ethically. It contains plenty of entertaining stories and practical tips alike, making it a book that any social entrepreneur is sure to enjoy. 

What’s your favorite startup book for social entrepreneurs? Let us know in the comments!