Just as entrepreneurs change the face of business, social entrepreneurs act as the change agents for society, seizing opportunities others miss and improving systems, inventing new approaches and creating sustainable solutions to change society for the better. However, unlike business entrepreneurs who are motivated by profits, social entrepreneurs are motivated to improve society. The Skoll Foundation www.skollfoundation.org Mission: The mission of the Office of Social Entrepreneurship in the Office of Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu is to increase awareness and understanding of social entrepreneurship and encourage Louisiana citizens to seek solutions to the important issues facing the state as it recovers from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. It will also serve as a resource and clearinghouse for information and funding of social enterprises. It will encourage Louisiana non-profits to become more entrepreneurial in their programs and services, host events that will provide networking opportunities for social entrepreneurs, and promote the inclusion of social entrepreneurship as coursework in high schools and colleges throughout Louisiana. History: Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu created the Office of Social Entrepreneurship in the fall of 2006. In January 2007, Lt. Governor Landrieu announced 2007 as the Year of Volunteerism and Social Entrepreneurship. The goal is to raise awareness among citizens of the multitude of volunteer opportunities that exist in Louisiana and to explore what social entrepreneurship is and what opportunities exist for citizens and organizations that have bold ideas that will bring about social change. Changing Louisiana: Changing Louisiana is a statewide initiative to promote social entrepreneurship. The initiative launched on March 5th 2007 in New Orleans. Since the launch, seminars have been held in Lake Charles, New Orleans, Shreveport, and Alexandria. Additional seminars are in the works for Monroe, Lafayette, Houma, and Baton Rouge. Contact: Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu Office of Social Entrepreneurship Email: changinglouisiana@crt.state.la.us www.crt.state.la.us/ltgovernor/socialentrepreneurship