As nonprofit organizations embrace the concept of Social Enterprise and begin to plan their earned income venture, one of the main issues they run into is the form their new organization will take. As a new nonprofit venture, they will likely have limited means of accessing capital, and they may run into problems in competing with for-profit corporations. On the other hand, corporate structures do not tend to recognize the public benefits that are at the core of a social enterprise, and nonprofits have traditionally had difficulty raising money for a for-profit venture.

To address this issue, the Vermont Legislature has recently passed a bill that authorizes a new type of company, called a L3C or "low-profit, limited liability company". A L3C is a platform which combines the best features of a for-profit LLC with the socially beneficial aspects of a nonprofit. It is a for-profit with a nonprofit soul. As of May 1, 2008 the L3C is available for use anywhere that LLC’s are recognized.

The L3C is particularly designed to increase the number of program-related investments, or PRI’s, that foundations make in social enterprises by making them easier to find and fund. There is also the hope that foundation investment in those ventures would initiate an influx of private capital. This new company type has the potential to be a big help to Nonprofits as they try to find the optimal model for sustained success in their social enterprises.

We are very happy to announce yet another successful WORK-ABLE job training class completion! This session, we had two trainees work their way through the program, which completes at the end of June. Angela Acosta and Moszell Williams both dove in head first to this program, and are graduating with flying colors. Angela has become an invaluable asset to our marketing team, and Moe has planted his feet firmly in the shipping, becoming a cornerstone in making the department fully functional. Outside of Auction Inn, Angel has recently graduated high school from J.P McCaskey, and Moe has enrolled in the Phoenix Academy to complete his high school credits.

After graduation Angela will be working with the Auction Inn Marketing team on new initiatives, and Moe will be returning to the Phoenix Academy as well as working towards getting his Driver’s License. As always, Auction Inn is very fortunately to have spent this time with the trainees, and wish them all the best in their future endeavors!

June fundraisers in Lancaster have been doing increasingly well, with many drives continuing through the entire month. Here is a breakdown of current and upcoming events:

Crispus Attucks: This fundraiser will be ending in mid July. With only a little less than a month left to turn items in for this great cause, Auction Inn is calling to all community members for donations before time runs out!

Humane Society of Harrisburg: This fundraising event will begin in July through Auction Inn’s Harrisburg location. Animal lovers look here to help out yet another worthy cause!

RiteScreen, serving trays, and cutting boards: Currently Auction Inn is featuring RiteScreen door screens, discontinued from Home Depot and very hard to find. Auctions are ending daily, bid now for a great deal! We will also be selling serving trays and cutting boards with proceeds to benefit the Water Street Rescue Mission, check www.auctioninn.com for further details!

Click the image to right to view a clip from FOX43 on June 24 about Auction Inn and how people are making a little extra money by selling their items on eBay!

If you belong to a local nonprofit group in either the Lancaster, Harrisburg, or York, PA areas, and would like more information about our fundraising options, please feel free to contact us at 888-TO-THE-INN!