Bill Overview
Title: SEEED Commission Act of 2022
Description: This bill establishes the Commission on the Advancement of Social Enterprise to examine and make recommendations on ways the federal government can support and utilize social enterprises (i.e., businesses created to further a social purpose in a financially sustainable way). The commission must (1) establish criteria for identifying social enterprises, which may include nonprofit and for-profit organizations, for purposes of federal programs; and (2) identify opportunities for the federal government to engage social enterprises in creating jobs and strengthening local economies. The areas studied and potential recommendations offered shall include, among other things the role of social enterprises in addressing economic, social, and environmental policy challenges across all levels of government; corporate legal structures that foster or impede the development of social enterprises; how to encourage impact investing; and barriers to social enterprise growth. The commission shall (1) report to the President and Congress within one year after it establishes criteria by which to identify social enterprise, and (2) terminate 90 days after it submits its report.
Sponsors: Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1]
Target Audience
Population: People involved with or benefiting from social enterprises
Estimated Size: 200000
- Social enterprises are businesses that aim to address social, economic, and environmental issues.
- These enterprises can take various forms, including both non-profit and for-profit organizations.
- Social enterprises focus on creating jobs and strengthening local economies.
- The legislation could impact people involved with or benefiting from social enterprises, including employees and local community members.
Reasoning
- The policy is designed to foster growth in the social enterprise sector, which comprises organizations aiming to tackle social, economic, and environmental challenges through business methods.
- By enhancing the capabilities and opportunities for social enterprises, the policy could positively impact individuals working in or benefiting from these organizations.
- Given that the policy might establish new criteria for federal support of social enterprises, its effects could be more pronounced in areas with higher concentrations of such businesses.
- The impact of the policy will likely vary among individuals, depending on their level of involvement with social enterprises and the degree of government engagement in their community.
- The limited budget suggests targeted impacts, potentially benefitting initial model projects or specific communities more than the entire estimated population involved with social enterprises.
Simulated Interviews
Founder of a Renewable Energy Social Enterprise (New York, NY)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could provide critical recognition and support for my business, potentially unlocking new funding sources and partnerships.
- I'm hopeful that the policy will lead to greater public awareness and government support for our renewable energy projects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Employee at a Social Enterprise focusing on Sustainable Agriculture (Austin, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm optimistic that the policy might result in better resources and support for what we do, but also cautious about how long such effects might take to materialize.
- If the policy helps increase our enterprise's visibility and funding, it could improve job security and benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Manager at a Social Enterprise in Community Development (Chicago, IL)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Expanded support for social enterprises could significantly amplify our impact in underserved communities.
- I'm worried about potential bureaucratic hurdles and whether our organization meets new criteria.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Investor in Social Enterprises (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might create a more favorable environment for social enterprises and impact investing.
- Clarifying legal hurdles and offering more incentives could boost my investment returns significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Volunteer at a Youth Development Nonprofit (Miami, FL)
Age: 25 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad to see support towards social enterprises, as it could indirectly benefit our nonprofit's mission.
- However, I'm skeptical about how much a policy like this can impact community-level nonprofits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Policy Analyst (Boston, MA)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This initiative can promote more data and insights into the role of social enterprises.
- Economic development policies must make room for social enterprises to truly thrive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Community Organizer (Detroit, MI)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy's focus on social enterprises is promising for our community's development.
- I'm concerned about its implementation and equitable distribution of resources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Tech Entrepreneur (Seattle, WA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Support for social enterprises could drive investment and innovation in startups like mine.
- It's critical for policies to keep pace with technology-driven social enterprises.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Social Enterprise Consultant (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy will likely expand my client base, as more enterprises might seek professional guidance to align with new standards.
- Standardizing criteria could attract more entrepreneurs into the social enterprise space.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Advocate for Environmental Nonprofits (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Federal recognition of social enterprises can strengthen environmental policy initiatives.
- I'm hoping this encourages more collaboration between social enterprises and traditional nonprofits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $3000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The commission's recommendations could have long-term implications for the social enterprise sector in the U.S.
- The cost of the commission is modest compared to the potential beneficial impacts of its recommendations.