Commitment to the Future

DSEF has made tremendous progress educating a wide range of audiences about the empowering opportunities offered by the direct selling industry while advocating for a fair and ethical marketplace. We plan to expand our reach in the form of four major DSEF initiatives—effective and efficient virtual institutes—where the foundation can focus its efforts and hone the expertise of its stakeholders.

The Consumer and Community Institute

Through this institute, DSEF will expand it role as a catalyst in providing linkages between member companies, regulators and consumer groups that build strong communities through responsible, ethical business practices. The institute will promote consumer rights and good corporate citizenship while strengthening the capacity-building efforts of DSEF’s strategic partners and consumer friends.

Programs undertaken by this institute include regional forums on business issues and consumer expectations, expanded communications using technology, and supporting students to develop future consumer leaders.

The Research Institute

This institute will encourage the unbiased academic study of direct selling and issues that are of importance to this industry and the general study of business and public policy. Creating a peer-reviewed academic body of literature enhances the industry’s significance in academia, business and the global community.

Program undertaken by this institute include grants for research to academics, doctoral candidates and partnering research organizations, grants for case studies on direct selling companies focused on a particular business issue, and continued archiving of academic research on direct selling or funded by DSEF.

The Entrepreneurship Institute

This institute includes programs that support the efforts of educators, practitioners, and advocates who foster entrepreneurship through training and education, public policymaking, and mentoring and networking organizations. In this arena, DSEF will showcase an industry that empowers millions of men and women who enter the entrepreneurial system through the low-cost, low-risk method of direct selling. The institute will develop programs for a global network of organizations that revitalize the most economically challenged markets through entrepreneurship and business ownership.

Program undertaken by this institute include special support for women’s entrepreneurship, development of university and non-university-based training and curriculum, seminar and conferences for thought leaders, and mentoring and leadership-focused programs.

The Global Outreach Initiative

By reaching out to friends and stakeholders through its public service programs, DSEF increases awareness of the industry’s economic empowerment of individuals and its commitment to ethical business practices while distinguishing it from traditional retailing and direct marketing.

DSEF targets its messages for opinion influencers and public policy officials while developing programs that showcase industry executives and the foundation’s core external constituents.

*To support our institutes and initiatives, please click here.