Timeline - REDF

Our Vision
- Our VisionAn economy that works. for everyone.
- Who We BackWe partner with social entrepreneurs to amplify the success of their businesses and the people they employ.
- How We Do ItWe help our enterprises grow further, faster through a combination of capital, capacity building, and community support.
- ImpactOur partnership accelerates the growth and impact of the enterprises we back.
- InsightsWe evaluate what works and share our learnings to spark action for policy and systems change.
Our Work
- Our WorkWe invest in businesses that reveal and reinforce the talent of people breaking through barriers to employment.
- AcceleratorA six-month cohort-based learning experience for leaders of early-stage enterprises to springboard growth.
- Growth PortfolioA multi-year investment in growth-stage employment social enterprises to help them scale sustainably.
- Impact Investing FundFlexible loan capital for employment social entrepreneurs whose lived expertise is their collateral.
- Gov. Partnerships & PolicyAdvocacy and public sector partnerships to advance the field.
- CommunityCurated space and resources to help our social enterprise partners connect, grow, and lead.
- WorkshopREDFworkshop is an open, free virtual capacity building toolbox to help you build, grow, and sustain high-impact employment social enterprises.
Investments
About
- AboutWe envision a thriving and inclusive society where all people have the jobs and the support they need to realize their full potential.
- Mission & CultureIt’s not just what we do, it’s how we do it that matters.
- Our PeopleWe’re a motley crew of leaders and learners dedicated to building an economy that works. For everyone.
- CareersKnowing your work is improving lives is not the only benefit of the job. View opportunities to join our team.
- Farber FellowshipGrad students bring cutting-edge skills and passion to help employment social enterprises reach their full potential.
- SupportersOur generous funders and individual donors make this work possible.
- HistorySince 1997, REDF has been using business as a force for good.
- FinancialsREDF achieves the highest levels of accountability and transparency.
News

Program Dates

Below are the dates for the 2026 Accelerator Cohort programming.

NOTE: The dates below are potentially subject to change. The REDF team will communicate updates to all applicants as they are decided.

Welcome Session: January 7, 2026 (virtual)
Program Orientation: January 28, 2026 (virtual)
2026 Convening Dates:
- Session 1: February 9 – 13, 2026 NOTE: Location will be shared soon.
- Session 2: April 6 – 10, 2026 (virtual)
- Session 3: June 1-5, 2026 (San Francisco, CA)

If you have questions, reach out to the REDF team at connect@redf.org.

Selection Timeline

The Accelerator is accepting applications starting Monday, August 25, 2025, and applications close Wednesday, October 1, 2025. The Accelerator team will screen submitted applications for eligibility on a rolling basis. Eligible candidates will have their submitted applications reviewed by a member of the Accelerator team and will be invited to interview with a REDF team member in September. Following interviews, the Accelerator team will announce decisions for the final cohort in November.

Below are key dates in our application and interview windows. For more details on our application process, view the Application Toolkit here.

Applications Open for 2026 Cohort: August 25, 2025
Applications Close for 2026 Cohort: October 1, 2025 — DEADLINE EXTENDED
Interview Week: October 20 – 24, 2025
Notification of 2026 Cohort: November 3 – 14, 2025

If you have questions about the Accelerator program timeline, please reach out to our team at connect@redf.org.