NPI in China: Organizing for Social Good

NPI is a Shanghai-based social venture that actively promotes social innovation and cultivates social entrepreneurs by granting crucial support to start-up and small- to medium-sized grassroots non-profit and non-governmental organizations. The company was founded in 2006 when the Chinese government had loosened its restrictions on private donations to charitable causes and cautiously welcomed private non-profit organizations to enter the social welfare sector. Its founder’s ability to enlist support not only from national and local government officials but also from foundations and other grassroots not-for-profit organizations has led to its success in the areas of incubation of start-up social enterprises, venture philosophy, resource integration, capacity building, showcasing, outreach and social innovation. However, in 2013, NPI is threatened by a combination of rapid growth, mushrooming projects and limited means to attract and retain professional staff. The founder is faced with devising a three-year strategic transformation of NPI at a critical tipping point for social enterprise in China.