Many observers believe social entrepreneurship holds the promise of more effectively addressing, if not solving, some of society's most intractable social problems. Social entrepreneurship is defined as the process of using entrepreneurial and business skills to create innovative approaches to social problems. Through sheer determination and innovative thinking, social entrepreneurs are transforming today's society and working to educate our youth, protect our environment, defend human rights and alleviate hunger and homelessness, among other issues. These non-profit and for-profit ventures pursue the double bottom line of social impact and financial self-sustainability or profitability.

An example of such a venture would be the environmental technologies and consulting organization started in the mid-1980's by the founder of Harvest Shelter.  During his tenure as chairman and president with the national group through the mid-1990's, pollution-control products and services were researched, developed and sold to major corporations, such as oil and gas, chemical, manufacturing and many other for-profit customers and clients.  Profits generated by the firm were utilized to fund the deployment of those same products and services on behalf of non-profit organizations, such as tribes of Native Americans, conservation groups, medical research centers and others.