Capital, Capacity, and Community – A Combination that Works

REDF and our partners are helping build an economy that works. For everyone. We’re on a mission to make sure our country no longer misses out on the enormous talent and potential of over 10 million Americans who remain stuck—sidelined from access and opportunity—due to the trauma of homelessness, incarceration, and other steep barriers to employment.

How? Over the last 25 years, we’ve been solely focused on growing uniquely transformative businesses called employment social enterprises that provide jobs, training, and support to people breaking through barriers to employment.

We partner with social entrepreneurs to amplify the success of their businesses and the people they employ. Our programs combine capital (in the form of grant and loan investments) that propels sustainable growth, capacity building that strengthens leadership and operational excellence, and community that deepens learning and connection. 

And we don’t stop there. 

We cultivate, advocate, and influence public-private sector partnerships and policy at the federal and state levels that promote public investment in employment social enterprises and increase economic mobility for their employees. We transform information into insights to move the field forward, inform smart public policy, and drive support to employment social enterprises. And we discover businesses doing amazing work in their communities so we can continue to grow the movement and reveal and reinforce the talents of more individuals disconnected from the economy. 

It’s a combination that works. To learn more, check out our 2021 Impact Report.