Carla Javits, President of REDF

REDF’s business discipline and focus on results drive our efforts to create jobs for those who are most disconnected from the workforce.

Using the practices of venture philanthropy, REDF (formerly The Roberts Enterprise Development Fund) creates job opportunities through support of social enterprises that help people gain the skills to help themselves.

Because of our work and the work of the organizations in which we invest, thousands of people’s lives are transformed.

By building the capacity of high-performing nonprofit organizations to operate business ventures that provide employment and hope, our enterprising approach has placed over 3,700 people in jobs and helped them stay employed.

The remedy for homelessness and poverty

Sometimes, when people pass a person on the street who is down and out, they think, "that person should get a job."

But how many of us would offer them a job? The social enterprises that we support actually do.

At REDF, we agree that employment can be the best remedy for poverty and homelessness. Even though they are eager to work, many people find entering and staying in the work force can be extremely difficult because of major challenges such as homelessness, limited education, drug or alcohol dependency, criminal record, physical and/or mental health issues.

REDF creates job opportunities

In the San Francisco Bay Area, we help create jobs and job opportunities for those who face the greatest barriers to work, giving them a chance to thrive.

We provide a carefully selected portfolio of social purpose ventures with start-up capital and link them to business and philanthropic networks. We also share business advice through our experienced staff and MBA interns and fellows.

We help these enterprises balance their double bottom line – producing revenue by delivering valued goods and services, while also employing those who would otherwise face extremely limited job prospects.

We support and document model approaches that can be expanded and shared around the country. We disseminate practical tools to help others replicate these efforts.

REDF measures impact to help improve outcomes for social ventures and the people they employ

We measure the outcomes of our work to be sure that every dollar invested through REDF delivers high social and financial return.

Our social and financial metrics demonstrate that investments in social enterprises benefit the individual and the community.

REDF builds skills, leadership, and infrastructure in the business and social sectors

We share what we have learned with the broader communities of business, philanthropy, and government, as well as the nonprofits we fund, to strengthen the field and motivate greater investment.

We develop future business and nonprofit leaders through the Farber Interns and Fellows Program for MBA candidates and graduates.

A central part of REDF’s strategy is to increase the impact of social enterprises by strengthening their relationships with the business community. We create productive partnerships among business people, nonprofits, government, and philanthropists.

In every aspect of its work, REDF cultivates networks of people and institutions that create lasting solutions to joblessness.