That’s right. With this May’s unveiling of the Arthur Guinness Fund for Social Entrepreneurs, Guinness has proven that we may actually be able to drink away our sorrows. If not our own – we’ll at least be able to take a punch at the greater social ills of the world. As a part of the 250^th anniversary celebrations behind brew master, Arthur Guinness’s signing of the 9,000 year lease at St. James Gate in Dublin, Guinness has pledged to raise €2.5 million in start up capital for its Arthur Guinness Fund for Social Entrepreneurs. The money is aimed to support approximately twenty-five social entrepreneurship initiatives in Ireland for at least the next two years.

The caveat is that the money isn’t exactly on tap. Guinness has launched their “Put Your Signature Next to Arthur’s” campaign in conjunction with the fund. They’re calling for all Irish pub-goers to sign their name on a banner next to Arthur’s signature as an expression of support for the good beer and goodwill that has been present in the community since 1759. For every signature that the banner receives, Guinness will donate €2.50 to the Arthur Guinness Fund for Social Entrepreneurs.

Guinness has partnered with Social Entrepreneurs Ireland in the administrative aspects of the fund, yet Guinness is no stranger to philanthropy. Arthur Guinness was one of the first of his kind in Ireland to offer his employees full pensions and health care coverage and he was instrumental in the creation of many parks and recreation spaces around Dublin. Guinness has carried his socially conscious business model into the present day. If their new social entrepreneurship fund isn’t proof enough, take a trip to the top of Guinness brewery, where you can partake in a beer and 360 degree view of the city. Clearly, this is a company that keeps its eye on the big picture.

• The Arthur Guinness Fund was founded by the Guinness Brewing Company with the aim to support social entrepreneurship in Ireland.
• Organizatio n Type: Non-Profit
• Website: www.guinness.com
• Founder(s): Guinness and Social Entrepreneurs Ireland
• Founded: 2009
• Location: Dublin, Ireland

Contributor Profile: Ashley

Ashley is a friend of anyone who is fighting the good fight for social change. She currently resides in Bilbao, Spain where she is teaching English and researching the history of the Basque conflict. Personal blog
Twitter: @socialearth

You might also like

Drink Sam Adams, Save Small Business Sam Adams has been my beer of choice lately, at least for the month of October. The minute the cool lager...

$100MM Microfinance Fund Announced for Americas The media has created quite a blitz over the much anticipated meeting between President Obama and...

The White House Officially Launches the Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation; Seeks Input The much anticipated Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, led by Sonal Shah, was...

Propelling Socially Conscious Investing: Acumen Fund If you’re familiar with Acumen Fund, you know these change makers genuinely understand, appreciate...