We often hear the phrase: “Treat your social project like a business.” The trend is around impact investments.

It’s advice that sounds smart — efficiency, clear goals, measurable results. But when we’re talking about holistic regional change in vulnerable geographies, is business thinking enough?

The short answer: Yes… but only if we redefine what “business-like” means.

Where Pure Business Works — and Where It Fails

Business models are excellent at focus, discipline, and scaling. They avoid waste, move fast, and measure results. But here’s the catch:

If the return on investment isn’t high enough or quick enough, the project gets dropped. Vulnerable communities often require slow, deep change — the kind that doesn’t fit into a quarterly profit report.

That means purely commercial models tend to ignore regions with low purchasing power or focus on quick wins instead of root causes.

Where Pure Charity Works — and Where It Fails

Charities can go where businesses won’t. They can respond to crises, reach remote communities, and deliver vital services without worrying about profit.

But many charity projects are short-term and donor-dependent. Once funding ends, the impact often fades. In worst cases, it can even create dependency instead of empowerment.

The Missing Middle: SCN Kenya’s Hybrid Approach

At SCN Kenya, we believe the real magic happens between pure business and pure charity.

We use business discipline — strategy, efficiency, measurable goals — but keep the mission 100% community-led and impact-first.

How?

We build networks of local NGOs, communities, companies, and public sector partners. We focus on systemic change — tackling interconnected issues like climate resilience, youth employment, and mental wellbeing together. We measure long-term outcomes: resilience, collaboration, and empowerment.

In other words:

Business-like in execution. Community-first in purpose.

Your Turn

Can business principles be adapted to truly serve vulnerable communities? Or do we need entirely new models?

I’d love to hear your thoughts — especially from those working in impact investment, community development, or corporate social responsibility.

💡 About SCN Kenya

The System Changer Network Kenya connects local NGOs into strong, collaborative networks that replace isolated projects with holistic, community-driven solutions. We don’t just work for communities — we work with them to co-create lasting change.

If you want to partner with us or learn more, visit scn-kenya.org.