The terms social enterprise, social venture, and social entrepreneurship are everywhere right now. Nonprofits seeking to diversify funding are exploring opportunities to create a new stream of earned revenue by growing a business venture. To help you understand the terminology and consider key questions, Kate Barr is presenting Building a Nonprofit Social Enterprise at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Annual Conference, Nonprofits and Government: Partnerships and Policies in a Time of Retrenchment. Topics will include identifying opportunities, operational and financial considerations, mission fit, risks, and evaluation of impact. You will be prepared to assess which earned income opportunities fit with your programs and strengthen your mission.

MCN's conference will go far beyond discussing relationships between nonprofits and government. Attendees will learn about current nonprofit leadership and management trends, including social enterprise, as well as have opportunities to connect with fellow nonprofit, foundation, and government leaders.

Register now with MCN to make sure you don't miss out.  The conference takes place on October 2-3 at the RiverCentre in St. Paul. There will be a range of session tracks, including public policy, leadership, fundraising, governance, financial management, communications, and human resources.  For full conference details and registration information, visit www.mncn.org/conference.htm.