Mission alignment

social impact & trading activity

embedded

social impact

trading activity

integrated

trading activity

social impact

external

Adapted from Kim Alter's 4 Lenses Framework (2020)

external

Social impact is funded through unrelated trading activity. This may be done within a single organisation, or as two separate linked organisations. Trading activity is undertaken with the specific intent of funding the desired social impact and is distinct from corporate philanthropy.

embedded

The social impact is created through the trading activity. The product or service itself creates the social impact. For instance, the enterprise may provide social programmes or products at a low cost to those in need. The social impact is central to the core business.

integrated

The social mission and business activity overlap. They may share assets or costs. e.g., the enterprise may offer a product or service to regular clients at a market rate, and offer the same to their beneficiary group at a reduced rate. Or, they may commercialise the services they already provide beneficiaries, selling them to fee-paying clients.