"To find out if your social enterprise program is valuable, ask the beneficiaries," Sasha Dichter, CEO of 60 Decibels, writes on the company's blog.
A survey of 700 participants from three workforce development and entrepreneurship programs around the world found that 71% said their quality of life had improved, while 45% said they received greater respect from family and friends, and 60% said their business revenue or income had increased.
The participants were mostly disadvantaged or disabled youth, with an average age of 28.
"What they all shared was the desire for a better life, whether they struck out on their own or worked for an organization in pretty much any industry," Dichter tells Fast Company.
"With accurate, timely feedback from beneficiaries of social enterprise programs, organizations can show how they're making a difference in people's lives, reducing inequalities, and supporting underserved populations."
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