The Center is a NJ nonprofit currently applying for 501c3 status as an operating foundation. It is the parent organization for the Sustainable Business Incubatorprogram, founded at Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2007, and now administratively independent while remaining affiliated with the Institute for Sustainable Enterprise at FDU; for the Sustainable Leadership Forum, a membership and peer networking organization that meets monthly for in-depth discussions, coordinates volunteer activities, and sponsors innovative projects; and the Sustainable Haiti Coalition, which offers a suite of sustainable solutions for Haiti and assists companies and individuals looking to contribute to its long term sustainable reconstruction.

The CLS also includes the programs and assets of the Center for Business Excellence, founded in 2004, whose archived sites can be found here and here. The CBE played a role in facilitating numerous conversations, including those giving rise to the Institute for Sustainable Enterprise at Fairleigh Dickinson University. It also conducted a major study on social enterprise models entitled “Beyond Philanthropy.” We have migrated to the new organization for two main reasons: (1) we plan to apply for 501c3 status, and it’s easier to do with a new organization than with one that’s been operating for several years without applying for it; (2) the programs we’re now focusing on have more to do with sustainability than with traditional CSR, so the name reflects more clearly our focus.