Columbia Business School has long been committed to advancing the practice and understanding of social enterprise having trained leaders with a commitment to solving social and environmental issues for over four decades. By supporting new ideas from faculty and industry leaders, as well as the curricular and extracurricular opportunities of students, the Business School educates leaders to use business knowledge, entrepreneurial skills, and management tools to address social and environmental challenges.
Timeline
In 2024, the Tamer Institute for Social Enterprise and Climate Change, based on a strong foundation, expanded its mission thanks to a generous donation from Sandra and Tony Tamer. This groundbreaking institute opens the door for an increased volume of climate and sustainability research at CBS and gives business leaders the tools to tackle the climate crisis, in addition to issues facing business and society. The Tamer Institute expansion provides a venue for University-wide interdisciplinary discourse on the climate crisis, including the Climate School, the School of International and Public Affairs, and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
In 2015, the Tamer Center for Social Enterprise was established, thanks to a gift from Sandra and Tony Tamer. The gift allowed for the launch of the Tamer Fund for Social Ventures, the expansion of the existing Loan Assistance program, the extension of the Social and Environmental Summer Fellowship Program to Columbia students beyond the Business School, funding for social ventures at the Columbia Startup Lab, and further development of the advisory network for Columbia’s social entrepreneurs.
In 1981, Professor Ray Horton founded the Public and Nonprofit Management Program, which was renamed the Social Enterprise Program in 2000, and widened to include social entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, and international development. The mission was to advance the understanding of how business can contribute to society and the environment, by emphasizing the vital role that social enterprise plays in transforming communities.