Nicole Ballin - 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 five-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 InvestingFlexible 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

Helping Social Enterprises Scale their Impact.

As a Principal, Nicole Ballin supports cross-team collaborative efforts at REDF to center the needs of our grantees, informs grantee selection strategy, and helps her portfolio partners go further, faster.

As co-founder of UpEnergy, a social enterprise that distributes clean energy technologies in East Africa, Nicole has experienced firsthand how challenging it can be to build a social venture that effects meaningful change while still striving for financial sustainability. Equipped with lessons and insights from her personal experience, she’s excited to support the incredible work of REDF’s grantees.

Nicole holds an MBA from UC Berkeley, Haas School of Business, and a B.A. in international economics from UCLA. She hails from South Africa and has lived and worked on three continents. With a passion for travel, she’s visited 43 countries and looks forward to sharing her wanderlust with her children. Closer to home, you’ll find Nicole spending time in her garden, exploring the Bay Area with her family, or busy planning her next vacation!