This section describes the four legal identities for member-owned FairShares social enterprises (companies, cooperatives, partnerships and associations). The choices presented can be informed by answers to questions on a FairShares Canvass.

The four sections below describe the opportunities and constraints offered by four sets of model rules for constituting FairShares Enterprises. FairShares values and principles apply across all legal models.

However, each legal form facilitates or constrains how the principles can be expressed. Legal forms can be combined in a group structure if members have the skills/knowledge to handle issues that arise.