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“REDF has long been a leader in an outcome-based approach to philanthropy, and shares many core values of the Hewlett Foundation — including transparancy, accountability, and a commitment to maximizing the social returns on its investments. We’re proud to be associated with REDF.” — Paul Brest, President, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
REDF, a nonprofit organization formerly known as the Roberts Enterprise Development Fund, provides financial investments and forms alliances with a portfolio of businesses in order to employ people who would otherwise remain living in long-term poverty. Several distinctive features characterize this market-oriented approach.
First, these enterprises employ people who are poor and face other challenges including homelessness. They help solve an urgent problem by providing a first step back into the work force for people who are otherwise shut out.
Second, both the enterprises themselves and REDF’s work with them exemplify an approach to social problems that combines the best of private, market-based initiative and public spirit, maximizing the value of investments by delivering outcomes efficiently.
Because these enterprises are explicitly developed to employ people who have had relatively little work experience and have other complex problems, they operate differently than other businesses — they focus on a double bottom line that aims to deliver both a financial and social return by creating jobs for those left out of the traditional work force. This in turn reduces public costs and makes a positive contribution to the economy.
These social enterprises have the potential to deliver results more cost effectively than some of the more traditional approaches that government has taken to job training or supported employment by ensuring that scarce public and private investment dollars are used efficiently.
Through entrepreneurial approaches that lead to systemic change, REDF aspires to decrease the number of people in the San Francisco Bay Area that experience endemic poverty.
Through publications, training and other forums, REDF shares the lessons of experience with the broader community. REDF pioneered an approach to measuring the impact of social enterprises called “Social Return on Investment” that has been adapted and used by foundations and intermediaries, and taught in business schools throughout the country.
The extraordinary businesses run by our alumni portfolio range from a bicycle shop, to a landscape gardening business, to a screen print business. These businesses have succeeded by employing 3,000 people — many incarcerated or homeless prior to joining the workforce — who are now earning an average wage of $10.43/hour. Click here to see additional data on outcomes.
REDF is selecting a new portfolio of businesses to create more job opportunities, while sharing the lessons we have learned, and forging new partnerships to amplify the systemic impact of the portfolio’s success.
Overview
Strategic Investment
We pioneered the field of venture philanthropy, which goes beyond asking whether a program is a good cause, to considering whether it is a sound social investment.
We pioneered the field of venture philanthropy, which goes beyond asking whether a program is a good cause, to considering whether it is a sound social investment.
Capacity Building
REDF works hand-in-hand with a portfolio of social enterprises, providing access to people, funding, technology and knowledge.
REDF works hand-in-hand with a portfolio of social enterprises, providing access to people, funding, technology and knowledge.
Measuring Results
Measurement is a critical element to REDF’s approach and success. We continue to invent and refine tools to take an analytical approach to understanding and improving the impact of our work.
Measurement is a critical element to REDF’s approach and success. We continue to invent and refine tools to take an analytical approach to understanding and improving the impact of our work.
Long-Term Commitment
REDF makes a long-term commitment to the organizations it funds, providing continuity and stability while our portfolio organizations establish a sustainable program.
REDF makes a long-term commitment to the organizations it funds, providing continuity and stability while our portfolio organizations establish a sustainable program.
Sharing Knowledge
By actively sharing REDF’s best practices, we help organizations around the world become more effective.
Working with local nonprofits who are part of and regional networks also enables us to spread our knowledge through affiliate networks.
By actively sharing REDF’s best practices, we help organizations around the world become more effective.
Working with local nonprofits who are part of and regional networks also enables us to spread our knowledge through affiliate networks.
Building Hope
By creating supportive opportunities for people who face chronic poverty and homelessness, the social enterprises we fund help them take steps toward self-sufficiency, dignity and hope.
By creating supportive opportunities for people who face chronic poverty and homelessness, the social enterprises we fund help them take steps toward self-sufficiency, dignity and hope.
Mission Statement
REDF creates opportunities for homeless and low-income individuals to move out of poverty. We partner with a portfolio of Bay Area nonprofit organizations to create jobs and training opportunities in social enterprises. In these partnerships, we offer financial support, business assistance, human and intellectual capital and other customized support to build organizational capacity.
REDF is committed to continually learning from our experiences and the experience of others, and sharing our lessons with the broader community. Our work is characterized by striving for excellence through collaboration, open and honest communication, compassion, creative approaches to problem-solving, and the effective use of our resources.
