On April 17, the First Book Marketplace was awarded the Social Enterprise Innovation Award by the Social Enterprise Alliance and the Case Foundation.

This award, given to the organization “designing the most innovative model in the field of social enterprise,” was presented at the Social Enterprise Alliance’s 8th annual gathering in Long Beach, CA.

I was lucky enough to spend a several days at the gathering meeting other social entrepreneurs from across the country and around the world. From local innovators running small bakeries employing traditionally underserved employees in a single community to international organizations seeking millions of dollars in expansion capital, it was an exhilarating experience speaking with others harnessing the power of the private sector to advance social change.

To learn more, you can download a pdf about this year’s award winners.