Social Innovation Fund Investment Report

The Corporation for National & Community Service has released its first Social Innovation Fund Investment Report. To learn more about the impact of the Social Innovation Fund and the work of its grantees, including REDF, read the full report here.

Big Ideas for Jobs

REDF President, Carla I. Javits, publishes a report on how social enterprise impact can be scaled to employ thousands more Americans facing the greatest barriers to work. Read the report »

REDF on The Kresge Foundation Website

The Kresge Foundation (Troy, MI) is featuring REDF on its website. The Kresge Foundation made a 3-year,  $750,000 grant to REDF to expand its work in California toward a nationally replicable social enterprise model. Read more about this partnership. 

Carla Javits Featured Among Powerful Bay Area Philanthropists

San Francisco Magazine features REDF’s President among their list of "eleven women who exemplify the power - economic and otherwise - of social entrepreneurship, Bay Area style." Read the full article.

Be Counted! The Great Social Enterprise Census

Calling all social enterprises!  Please step up and be counted!  Pacific Community Ventures is leading an effort to count and gather information about all of the social enterprises in the US.  It only takes 60 seconds, so log on and be counted! Go to socialenterprisecensus.org.

REDF Chairman George Roberts WSJ Opinion Piece Highlights REDF

The Wall Street Journal (September 27, 2012) features an opinion piece by REDF Chairman George R. Roberts entitled "The Social Enterprise Approach to Job Creation".

REDF Early Stage Social Enterprise Academy

REDF, in partnership with Academies for Social Entrepreneurship (ASE), is launching the "REDF Early Stage Social Enterprise Academy." This is a twelve month program uniquely designed to help nonprofit organizations start social enterprises that employ members of their target population, while simultaneously diversifying their revenue sources.

Applications are due by September 10, 2012 and applicants will be notified of acceptance by September 27th.  Please see the ASE website for more details.

Connect with REDF

See photos of REDF’s successful 2012 Benefit + Social Enterprise Expo and find out how to connect with REDF.

REDF is 15!

It's hard to believe that since our founding in 1997 more than 6,500 people facing the greatest barriers to work have been employed in the thousands of social enterprise jobs that REDF and our nonprofit partners have created.

Read REDF's latest newsletter featuring a thought-provoking article on the nature of innovation from REDF's founding director, Jed Emerson. 

Read the SSIR article co-written by Carla Javits

Carla Javits (REDF) and Lisa Jackson (New Profit, Inc.) wrote an article in the Stanford Social Innovation Review about their experiences and observations as inaugural Social Innovation Fund grantees. Click here to read the full article.

REDF and Green Streets on the News!

ABC 7 Bay Area News recently ran a segment about how REDF is using funding from the Social Innovation Fund to support great social enterprises like Green Streets.
Click here to view.

REDF is Hiring!

REDF is currently hiring a Program and Recruitment Manager, and a Farber Fellow.  Check out our jobs page to view these and other great job descriptions.

Apply to Join Our Portfolio

REDF's 2011 Request for Qualifications is now open.  We are looking for strong organizations committed to building social enterprise to employ low-income California residents facing barriers to employment. Complete applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM Pacific Standard Time (PST) on Friday, July 15, 2011. Please visit www.redf.org/rfq for more information.

New Social Impact Report from REDF

We have published our 2010 Social Impact Report! Read about it on Carla's blog and download the summary and full report here.

Job Opportunity at REDF

REDF is looking for a Director of Fund Development and Marketing.  For more information download the full job description here.

REDF Launches New Portfolio

REDF is pleased to announce the selection of 6 organizations to join our Portfolio! We will work with these groups and others selected later this year to help at least 2,500 more Californians move into the workforce by 2015. See REDF's press release for more details. Click here to read Carla's thoughts on our new portfolio.

Read the Huffington Post article co-written by Carla

REDF President, Carla Javits, co-wrote an article in the Huffington Post! In the article, Jeffrey Hollender (co-founder of Seventh Generation) and Carla talk about the future of job creation and the importance of jobs and upward mobility for low-wage workers and those facing barriers to employment.

REDF in the San Francisco Business Times

REDF was featured as a ‘New Model’ of philanthropy in the San Francisco Business Times.  Click here to read the article (registration required).  

REDF's 2010 Benefit + Social Enterprise Expo was a great success!

Thanks to the generous support of corporate sponsors, Host Committee members, and many event guests, REDF raised $150,000 to support its job creation efforts in California. Click here to see the new REDF video debuted at the benefit, and click here to see the inspiring video tribute to eight individuals who have “stepped-up” into the workforce with support of a social enterprise job. Also be sure to check out the event pictures on Flickr.

Webchat Featuring Carla Javits

While attending the SoCap Conference, Carla participated in a live webchat hosted by the Nonprofit Finance Fund. Click here to see a transcript of their chat about the future of nonprofit financing.

Get a Sneak Preview of Our New Strategy

In her latest blog post, Carla introduces our new 5 year strategy. After reading her blog visit www.redf.org/takeaction to learn about how you can help create jobs, opportunity, and hope.

Tickets Now Available for REDF 2010 Benefit + Social Enterprise Expo!

Celebrate the launch of REDF’s California expansion to create jobs and pathways to employment for thousands more people with the greatest barriers to work. 6 to 10 pm, Thursday, September 30, 2010 at The Bently Reserve in San Francisco. Buy yours today!

Have you seen REDF’s Social Enterprise 101 Overview?

REDF’s presentation focuses on the basics of social enterprise, including defining the concept, learning how to start one, applying lessons REDF has learned and more.

Guest bloggers on Fuel for the Field

REDF’s Jason Trimiew and Cynthia Gair recently guest posted on Carla’s blog, Fuel for the Field. Jason’s post presented a picture of what nonprofit social enterprise looks like at scale, and Cynthia’s post explored finding the common ground for social enterprise and organized labor.

Catch up with REDF

REDF President Carla Javits tackles the issue of continued high unemployment numbers in California in her most recent blog post ‘Hope vs. Optimism.’ REDF’s summer newsletter highlights portfolio updates, a new cohort of Farber MBA Interns, our fall 2010 benefit and Carla’s article from a recent Federal Reserve publication.

Read and Rate Our New Publication on Employment Outcomes

Mathematica and REDF present evidence on the effectiveness of interventions that include work experience as a strategy to improve employment outcomes for populations with barriers to employment. The study reviewed 26 years of rigorous research, gathering information from 27 evaluations and produced some interesting findings.

Listen to a discussion with Jeffrey Hollender

REDF recently hosted an event with Seventh Generation Co-Founder and Chief Inspired Protagonist Jeffrey Hollender.  Listen to the podcast to hear him discuss new strategies for sustainability. 

Buckelew Programs joins our Portfolio

REDF welcomes the newest addition to our 2010 portfolio, Buckelew Programs! Buckelew serves individuals with mental illness in Marin, Sonoma and Napa. REDF and Buckelew will work together on starting a new social enterprise, as well as growing their existing enterprises.

New blog post on Fuel for the Field

In her latest blog post, Carla writes about building a tighter network among innovators who identify with ‘entrepreneurship’ and those more identified with ‘social enterprise’.  Read and comment with your thoughts on her post, "Working Wikily".

Carla Javits "with a Perspective"

REDF’s President, Carla Javits, spoke about social enterprise on a "Perspectives" segment on KQED. Click here to listen to the podcast.

Join the Responsibility Revolution!

Join REDF on April 27 for a thought-provoking evening with Jeffrey Hollender of Seventh Generation as he discusses his latest book, "The Responsibility Revolution - How the Next Generation of Businesses Will Win." Click here for details

Triple Your Impact!

   Environment

   Economy

   Employment for people overcoming life’s toughest challenges

Make a $75 online donation to REDF and receive a limited-edition Rickshaw Bagworks Medium Zero Messenger bag. Offered in four colors (featured on the bikerumor.com blog), these stylish and sustainably sourced bags are made locally in San Francisco and feature custom artwork screen printed by Ashbury Images, a REDF-supported social enterprise employing at-risk youth.

New podcast! San Francisco Conservation Corps, a REDF Portfolio member, interviewed on Alice 97.3

SFCC’s Executive Director, a Board member, and a Corpsmember were recently interviewed by San Francisco Bay Area radio station, Alice 97.3 on the impact their work makes on the environment, the community, and young people’s lives.

MBA Student, Interrupted

Fuel from the Field's first guest blogger and Haas School of Business student, Stephen McCann tells us how he spent his summer vacation – as a Farber Intern - and how it has influenced his thoughts about his career path.

Social Return on Investment (SROI) - A Call to Action

Read, rate, and share the latest article in the "Stepping Out of the Maze" series, SROI Act II: A Call to Action for Next Generation SROI.  In this article, REDF proposes significant improvements to existing SROI approaches.  

Social Return on Investment - A Call to Action

Read, rate, and share the latest article in the "Stepping Out of the Maze" series, Act II: A Call to Action for Next Generation SROI.  In this article, REDF proposes significant improvements to existing SROI approaches.  

REDF Benefit and Social Enterprise Expo a Success!

On October 1, REDF’s sold-out event drew more than 275 guests for a thought-provoking program and a high-energy showcase of social enterprise. The Stuart G. Moldaw 'Step-Up' Award honored the efforts of individuals who have overcome life’s toughest challenges. Click here to see the video celebrating these employees and employers who 'step-up' and make the transition from joblessness to work a success.

Read Carla's speech to the Goodwill Industries International Delegate Assembly

This summer Carla gave a speech to the Goodwill Industries Delegate Assembly in which she explained how Goodwill may consider building on their reputation to make an even greater impact for those faced with the most urgent and compelling problems. Visit our publications page to read the full transcript.

Check Out the Latest Post on Fuel for the Field

Read and comment on Carla's recent blog post, Learning From Goodwill’s Success.

Check Out the Latest Post on Fuel for the Field

Read and comment on Carla's recent blog post - Turning purchasing into possibility for the formerly incarcerated.

Come to a REDF Mixer!

New book on Social Entrepreneurship by Paul Light, REDF Advisor

Paul C. Light, Paulette Goddard Professor of Public Service at NYU and member of REDF’s Advisory Council, recently released a book called The Search for Social Entrepreneurship. A review in the Winter 2009 issue of Stanford Social Innovation Review says that he “uses his considerable talents to provide a rich discussion of the most important issues in the field of social entrepreneurship.”

Check Out Carla's Blog

Read and comment on Carla's latest blog post - How can the Social Innovation Fund best serve America?

Download REDF's Performance Dashboards Presentation

REDF’s David Derryck and Samra Haider presented performance dashboards to a packed room at the recent Social Enterprise Summit in New Orleans. Their interactive presentation covered the impact a social enterprise-specific dashboard can have on the financial, operational, and social performance of an enterprise.

REDF’s Spring eNewsletter and New Blog

In our latest newsletter, read and comment on Carla Javits’ take on climbing unemployment as well as REDF co-founder Jed Emerson’s thoughts on blended value and advice for the Obama administration. Carla has also started a blog that highlights the unique perspective of REDF and our partners. Check out her first post: When the stimulus coffers run dry, social enterprise will keep on…

REDF is Hosting a Session at the Social Enterprise Summit

REDF’s David Derryck and Samra Haider will be speaking about performance dashboards at the upcoming Social Enterprise Summit in New Orleans. Come and join their session to learn about the impact a social enterprise-specific dashboard can have on the financial, operational, and social performance of an enterprise.

Recycle Your E-Waste with WasteNot

St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County (SVdP), an organization in REDF’s portfolio, has launched WasteNot, a new social enterprise that offers e-waste recycling in the San Francisco Bay Area. By donating your old electronics, you can help provide jobs to individuals with barriers to employment. Visit SVdP’s website for details.

Javits to Speak at Center for Effective Philanthropy Conference

Carla Javits will be participating in a lunch plenary at the Center for Effective Philanthropy’s (CEP) “Aligning for Impact” conference this March in Los Angeles. She will be speaking along with Matthew Bishop whose recent book “Philanthrocapitalism” was a largely positive review of business influence on philanthropy, Michael Edwards, who wrote a piece critical of “philanthrocapitalism” that has generated significant on-line commentary, and Gara LaMarche, President of Atlantic Philanthropies. More information about the conference and the lunch plenary can be found on CEP’s website.

REDF is Hiring

REDF is currently looking to hire an Impact Assessment Manager. Click here to learn more about the position and to download the job description. To see other job opportunities from our portfolio groups and other organizations, please visit our jobs page.

Community Housing Partnership Honored with $200,000 Award

Bank of America recently announced the winners of their Neighborhood Excellence Initiative in San Francisco. Community Housing Partnership (CHP), a REDF Portfolio group, was named one of two “Neighborhood Builders” and was awarded an unrestricted grant in the amount of $200,000. Click here to learn more about CHP as well as other organizations in REDF’s portfolio.

Apply For REDF Farber Internships

REDF Farber Internships offer MBA students a unique opportunity to use their business and management skills within a social enterprise. To learn more about the 2009 Farber Internships and how to apply, please click here.

George Roberts honored by Bay Area Council

On October 14th, George Roberts was inducted into the Bay Area Council's Business Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame recognizes Bay Area business leaders "who have advanced Bay Area-based businesses to positions of national and international prominence and who have enriched the civic life of the Bay Area community." The San Francisco Chronicle mentioned his induction and his founding of REDF in a recent article.

A Solution to Philanthropy’s Funding Maze: Strategic Co-Funding

Read and rate REDF’s first article and its accompanying tool in our Out of Philanthropy's Funding Maze series. This first article explores Strategic Co-Funding, the adaptation of VC-style capital aggregation to foundation grantmaking.

REDF’s Current Approach to SROI

Carla Javits has written an update on REDF’s Current Approach to SROI that summarizes what we’ve learned about SROI, and lays out the next steps that REDF will be taking to build on this earlier work.

American Human Development Report

The first-ever American Human Development Report (AHDR), was released in July, 2008. The Report provides in-depth data from every Congressional District in the US and offers an objective set of tools for the social sector to use in assessing where to invest resources, and how to measure progress over time. Carla Javits served on the Report’s Advisory Council and REDF hosted a webinar with the Report’s co-author.

Carla interviewed on “A World of Possibilities”

Carla Javits was interviewed on A World of Possibilities' program titled “Foundations as Catalysts.”  She spoke about REDF’s work and shared a success story from one of the organizations we've worked with, Juma Ventures. The interview is available under the podcasts section.

Introducing REDF’s new website

Our new site contains many new features, resources, videos, and much more. Visitors can post publications and job listings, and access resources from REDF and other organizations in the field. Please take a few minutes and explore!

REDF in the Press

Carla Javits and REDF were featured in the San Francisco Business Times’ Nonprofit Profile.

A new Tool: Matchmaker

REDF has launched a new tool, Matchmaker, which contains criteria and a framework for screening potential grantees.