The Doe Fund, a leading organization in New York City dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness, addiction, and recidivism through their nationally acclaimed work-based model, was the recipient of a bridge loan from REDF Impact Investing Fund (RIIF) in 2020. Flexible capital and capacity building support from RIIF powered the pilot of its Good …
Employment social enterprises are mission-driven, revenue-generating businesses that reinvest their profits into helping people overcome barriers to employment. It’s this revenue-generating approach that makes them so effective — and that fuels their ability to grow, expand, and deepen their impact on society. Southern California-based enterprise Doing Good Works is the perfect example. Recently named an …
We first met Katelyn in 2015, when she was selected to receive REDF’s Moldaw Award which recognizes an employee of a REDF partner social enterprise who has “demonstrated extraordinary tenacity and courage in overcoming significant barriers to employment”. Katelyn came to Goodwill Silicon Valley (GWSV) as a young woman who had, in her words “hit …
We recently reconnected with JaShawn, a graduate of portfolio partner Cara, whose story we first featured to share the positive “ripple effect” of employment social enterprise. JaShawn’s belief in the potential of people and the power of community is boundless! She feels blessed to do this work and after speaking with her, you can’t help …
Things at Firebrand Artisan Breads are heating up! With the recent closing of a $500k working capital loan from REDF Impact Investing Fund, our largest investment to-date, this beloved Bay Area bakery is poised to grow its business in an expanded production facility while strengthening its social mission through a new Family Resource Center (FRC). …
There’s been no stopping Pablo since we first shared his story two years ago, which powerfully demonstrates the “ripple effect” that happens when people whose lives are transformed as a result of social enterprise dedicate themselves to helping others. Pablo continues to be an inspiring example to his family, a respected leader in his community, and …
The economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is severely impacting small businesses and their employees across the country. And social enterprise businesses are no exception. The entrepreneurial leaders of social enterprises are dedicated to addressing the hardships and uncertainty that are a fact of life for those they serve. And they are demonstrating their …
When Coss Marte entered prison, doctors warned that with his former lifestyle and current high cholesterol he could be dead within five years. Determined to transform his health and life while serving a seven-year sentence, he started working out. After losing 70 pounds in six months with nothing but the walls and floor of his …
The Knowledge House, a REDF grantee, equipped Lola with the skills and support she needed to tap into the innovation economy and land a tech job. Watch her story and learn how our partnership with Citi Foundation helps make these stories possible.