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This paper presents findings from original case study research that identified seven organizational capacities critical to the scaling process of social entrepreneurships. The purpose of scaling is to increase impact; by identifying capacities that support scaling, the paper seeks to support efforts to bring innovative models closer to the scale of the problem they aim to address. These capacities include: (1) Mission—defining and adhering to core mission; (2) Structure—balancing control and flexibility in the organizational structure; (3) Model—codifying what works in the core model; (4) Culture—cultivating and perpetuating organizational culture; (5) Data—collecting and using data; (6) Resources—connecting fundraising to mission and expanding the resource base; and (7) Leadership and Governance—making the right decisions for scaling to foster and manage growth.

The paper includes examples of effective practice and lessons from social entrepreneurship organizations to illustrate how these organizational capacities have been successfully cultivated and applied.