The Notre Dame family has a long history of social entrepreneurship and here are some of the more prominent success stories …

Alliance for Catholic EducationFounded in 1994, the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) sustains and strengthens under-resourced Catholic schools through leadership formation, research and professional service to ensure that all children, especially those from low-income families, have the opportunity to experience the gift of an excellent Catholic education.

Better World BooksFounded in 2002 by three Notre Dame students, Better World Books is a for-profit social enterprise that collects used books and sells them online to raise money for literacy initiatives worldwide. They offer great bargains on used books – over 6 million used and new titles, with free shipping anywhere in the U.S. and just $3.97 worldwide. What’s more, you love cheap used books and so does the environment – when you buy used, you save books from landfill and conserve resources.

Hannah & FriendsHannah & Friends is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children and adults with special needs. Founded by former Head Football coach Charlie Weis and his wife, Maura, this organization operates a 40 acre residential community along Hollyhock Road, north of South Bend, Indiana. The organization provides much needed housing and program services for children and adult citizens with special needs.

Fair Trade SportsFounded in 2006 by Scott James, ND MBA ’99, Fair Trade Sports, Inc is the first sports equipment company in the US to launch a full line of Eco-Certified Fair Trade sports balls, ensuring Fair Trade Certified wages and healthy working conditions for their adult workers. A certified B Corporation, Fair Trade Sports is committed to donating all profits after taxes to children’s charities, both domestic and international.

PEPYFounded in 2005 by a Notre Dame graduate who was cycling through Cambodia with five friends, PEPY is a hybrid social venture basd in Cambodia. PEPY’s tagline “Adventurous Living. Responsible Giving.” highlights the two parts of the organization: an edu-venture travel company, PEPY Tours, which supports an educational development organization. The non-profit arm of PEPY is a 501(c)3 organization working in 10 schools and offering 15 non-formal community leadership and literacy programs in rural Cambodia.

Andean Health & Development

Andean is the brain child of Notre Dame graduate Dr. David Gaus founded in 1996 to provide a reliable, self sustainable and innovative health care model in Ecuador.