Stars and Rain: An Autism Rehabilitation Institute

<p align="justify">The Beijing Stars and Rain Education Institute for Autism (Stars and Rain) was established in 1993 as the first private non-profit organization to provide educational services for children with autism in China. As a social enterprise, Stars and Rain worked to connect with various partners, raise funds through multiple channels, and co-operate with social welfare organizations. In addition to providing better autism rehabilitation services, it was also dedicated to facilitating family intervention and pre-employment training for adolescents with autism through its professional service and social influence. Since 2020, the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic had led to a continued downturn in the global economy, which greatly affected Stars and Rain’s operations and funding. How could the organization obtain a more stable source of funding, achieve sustained viability, and execute on its mission, vision, and strategic priorities?

This case study uses readings, classroom questions, and a teaching framework to illustrate key decision-making issues and situations that social enterprises face during their entrepreneurial development. This case can help students understand the nature of social enterprises and the nuances of their business models. By working through the case and assignment questions, students will be able to do the following:<br><br><ul><li>Understand what a social enterprise is, how a social enterprise gets started and gains momentum, and how the founder of a social enterprise sees the opportunity presented.</li><li>Define the key factors involved when a social enterprise attempts to tap into the perceived opportunity, and analyze how the founder grasps and utilizes the opportunity.</li><li>Explore the business models of social enterprises, and consider the differences between the business models of social enterprises, commercial enterprises, and non-profit organizations.</li><li>Explain how a social enterprise can continue updating its business model.</li><li>Understand theories about how to build a robust social enterprise.</li><li>Provide advice on how an enterprise should balance social benefits and financial gains.</li></ul>

• non-profit organization
• NPO
• autism
• China
• educational services
• social enterprise
• raising funds
• social welfare
• pre-employment training
• COVID-19
• entrepreneurial development
• perceived opportunity
• business model
• financial gains
• social benefits
• pro-social motivation
• behavior analyst certification board