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 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

Freedom a la Cart

Freedom a la Cart empowers survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation to build lives of freedom and self-sufficiency. Through its cafe + bakery + catering social enterprise, they’ve created a safe place of restoration where survivors can heal, learn and grow as they gain personal and economic independence and transition into meaningful jobs within the community. Over the past six years, over 100 women have received paid workforce training, of which 84% have NOT received any new criminal charges since participating in Freedom a la Cart’s program.

Website

Milestones

2020: Accelerator Fellow
2020: Project Grant Recipient*
2023-2025: Growth Portfolio Member

*Past REDF program offering

Entrepreneur

Paula Haines

Populations Served

Industries

Food preparation & serving

Location

Ohio

Growth Portfolio, Press, REDF Programs

REDF Awards $3.9 Million to 13 Growth-Stage Employment Social Enterprises to Expand Fair-Chance Hiring Opportunities

1.4.23

Growth Portfolio, REDF Programs

Introducing the 13 Growth-Stage Employment Social Enterprises Selected for Our 2023 Growth Portfolio

Capital investment is a core component of our work to build a more inclusive economy powered by the proven power of employment social enterprises. Today,...

1.4.23