What is Social Sector Franchising and why does the International Franchise Association Social Sector Task Force have a Mentor Program?

Social sector franchising is the application of commercial franchising concepts to achieve socially beneficial ends rather than profit. Social sector franchising has been used in areas of health and other product and service distribution and has created opportunities for local entrepreneurs to deliver a variety of products and services in underserved communities worldwide.

The International Franchise Association Social Sector Task Force believes that IFA members can provide meaningful and needed advisory assistance to the devoted efforts of social sector franchisors and franchisees to expand their reach and enhance the quality of their services. Though these social franchise systems often operate in uniquely challenging circumstances, the goal of creating franchise organizations that can consistently provide consumers a sustainable level of quality products and services is a common goal every franchisor shares. It is the principles of franchising management and the support you can provide to social franchisors and franchisees where your talents can have life changing and often life‐saving impact.

What is a Social Sector Task Force Mentor? Social Sector Task Force Mentors share their knowledge of and experience in franchising with social sector franchisor management and franchisees. Areas of support social franchisors are seeking include:

• Franchise system management and development;
• Defining territories and working to achieve sustainable field support for franchisees;
• Consumer marketing;
• Pricing strategies;

• Operations support to ensure that franchisor’s brand promise in areas like customer service, site environment, productivity, on‐site record keeping and reporting can be achieved;.
• Legal input including defining compliance standards with a goal of minimizing fraud and the
  maintenance of brand standards;
• Financial services including working with social franchisors to establish initial and continual fees and
  teach financial management best practices to their franchisees;
  
• Business analytics and MIS to facilitate communication and information sharing throughout franchise
  systems and with consumers;
  
• Creating a sense of community among franchisees;
  
• Leveraging the social sector network for the benefit of franchisees including reduced cost of goods,
  pricing and marketing strategies, lobbying, etc.

As a mentor you will offer the following:

• Information: Mentors share their knowledge and experience in franchising with no financial benefit.
• Contacts: Mentors facilitate personal contacts in franchising.
  
• Ideas: Mentors support social franchising by presenting new ideas, perspectives and
  opportunities.
  
• Support: Mentors provide their proteges open and supportive exchange.
  

Learn more below - download the application and read the entire document: How to Be a Social Sector Task Force Mentor
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