A summer that changes lives. Including yours.

Over 25 years ago, REDF’s Vice-Chair Stuart Davidson had an insight: the (then) nascent employment social enterprise field needed a unique type of leader to reach its potential — one with cutting-edge business skills and a passion to use those skills to improve society. So we developed the Farber Fellowship to find these types of leaders, mentor them, and provide these socially-minded young professionals an unparalleled opportunity to make an impact.

Since then, the program has introduced 200 MBA students from the country’s top business schools to the employment social enterprise field. Fellows spend the summer working on mission-critical projects for businesses in our national network. The experience is transformative, and has a lasting effect on these enterprises and the people they serve.

How to Apply

Meet the Alumni

The Benefits

Learn more with the Farber Fellowship FAQ.

01

Learn from and with us

Deepen your knowledge about what works and what doesn’t in employment social enterprise through our 25 years of experience in this field. Connect with senior leaders and hear their experience in venture philanthropy, impact investing, and public sector influence.

02

Make an Impact

See how we derive double bottom line financials, and how we select enterprises for our portfolio. Come with a student’s mind to deepen your understanding of the challenges these enterprises face and then make informed recommendations on an area of strategic opportunity.

03

Expand Your Network

Meet inspiring leaders from around the country — students who share your appetite for impact and entrepreneurs who have dedicated their career to it. You’ll walk away with friends for life and a network of dreamers and doers that you’ll rely on for years to come.

04

Broaden Your Career Path

Explore the various ways your career can be in purpose, on purpose. This seminal experience in social impact will stick with you and inform how you show up in your career — whether in the private, purpose, or public sector.

History

The Farber Fellowship was named to honor the life and work of Michael E. Farber, who passed away in 1996. During his tenure at Rubicon Programs, Michael demonstrated entrepreneurial talent, drove dramatic growth through his business acumen, and brought passion for serving those striving to develop economic mobility to move out of poverty. In honor of this pioneering work, REDF inaugurated the Farber Fellowship and continues to develop leaders as they lend their skills to employment-focused social enterprises, and make a difference in people’s lives, just as Michael did.

The relationships and insights I gained are invaluable treasures. In my pursuit of a meaningful, purpose-driven career, the Farber Fellowship has been a guiding light.
I treasure this tribe of other MBA students who also care about making a tangible impact and building an inclusive economy.
Through the Farber Fellowship, I felt the impact that social enterprise support can create as a meaningful economic development solution.
I built some lifelong friendships; developed a deeper understanding of how businesses can have lasting social impact; and drew inspiration from the amazing work.

Shahryar NayyerThe Wharton School

Yiqing ZhaoUSC Marshall School of Business

Govind SrivastavUniversity of Chicago, Booth School of Business

John BurgoyneThe Wharton School