The failure rate for entrepreneurs — whether social or purely capitalist — is high. Still, ePals’ backers are betting that it is worth the risk. “These kinds of opportunities to do well and do good at the same time don’t grow on trees,” said Mr. Kapor, the ePals investor and a philanthropist. “But I do think that ePals could be one of them.”

That's the final thought in a New York Times Sunday February 24, 2008 article which discusses the for-profit ePals and reviews the brave new world of social enterprise and the lines being crossed to pursue social responsible outcomes.

It all seems too good to be true as noted at the beginning of my blog -- but is the risk worth it -- will socially responsible outcomes really result and at what cost and to whom? And where and when does philanthropy fit in? And does it? Also relevant is a Chicago Tribune article about the roles of the government and nonprofit sectors in caring for the poor -- really a story about competing missions. Isn't competing missions the story about social enterprise and nonprofits too?