Type of Entity

Organizations that are seeking capital to achieve their goal.

B-CORP For-profit entity that is legally organized to be accountable for both profit and impact objectives.

COMMUNITY LAND TRUST Nonprofit corporation that develops and stewards affordable housing, community gardens, civic buildings, commercial spaces and other community assets.

EARLY STAGE ENTERPRISE Enterprise that has not yet achieved financial sustainability and may not have ready access to traditional financing given its limited operating history.

FOR-PROFIT ENTITY C-Corp, S-Corp, LLC that seeks to increase the value of ownership for its shareholders. For-profit entities may state impact goals, but are not held accountable to them by their incorporation.

GROWTH ENTERPRISE Enterprise with a fully devel oped business model seeking to grow its customer-validated value proposition. Revenue growth may come at the expense of profitability, requiring additional external funding.

NON-PROFIT ENTITY Tax-exempt organization that works for the public interest. All assets and income from the nonprofit are reinvested into the organization or donated.

OTHER COOPERATIVES Values-driven enterprise owned and governed collectively. Consumer coops buy goods and services together. Producer coops process and market products. Retail coops pool purchasing power. Housing cOop members own building shares rather than individual units.

SMALL/ MEDIUM ENTERPRISE (SME) Enterprise with typically fewer than 500 employees.

START-UP New enterprise that intends to grow beyond the founder and may not yet have earned any revenue.

WORKER-OWNED COOPERATIVE Values-driven enterprise that is owned and governed by its workers. Worker-owners participate in profits, oversight and management of enterprise using democratic practices.