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A Parallel Universe
September 2007 In This Issue:
A Message From Carla Javits, REDF’s President, On the Parallel Universe That Exists in the Nonprofit Sector
 After 20 years in government and nonprofits, my first days at REDF suddenly jolted me into a parallel universe that was recognizable, but also distinctly unfamiliar. It reminded me of old Star Trek episodes when the starship Enterprise zipped through a “wormhole” in space, emerging millions of miles away in a region populated with familiar stars and planets, but also with novel life forms and changed physical laws. The “planets and stars” of one universe are the nonprofits and foundations within the traditional independent sector. Similar institutions exist in the parallel universe, but they are hybrids and adapted forms — social enterprises, venture philanthropists, investors, and social entrepreneurs. I’ve been searching for the significance of the distinctions, and what might be gained by amplifying the dialogue across these worlds to discuss more explicitly the contrasting approaches and lessons learned — and will be writing more about that in coming months. I welcome your thoughts and insights, which can be sent by replying to this newsletter email or by emailing me at parallels@redf.org.  At age 40, Artena had been homeless for three years and without a steady job for almost six years. She was ready to start rebuilding her life in San Francisco, where she was born and raised. After going to drug rehabilitation and starting her recovery, the next step was to rejoin the workforce and find stable employment. San Francisco Clean City Coalition (Clean City) is a community–based organization that focuses on cleaning, greening, and beautifying the city. Clean City works to keep San Francisco clean and green by building bridges between resources and the neighborhood groups, merchant associations and residents that need them. They offer transitional employment in sidewalk sweeping, graffiti removal and special event recycling. When Artena met Gia Grant, Clean City’s Executive Director, she remembers being nervous about whether she would be able to secure stable employment. That meeting, five years ago, was a key turning point for Artena. She had worked as a sidewalk sweeper and subsequently became the supervisor for the street cleaning team. After that, she enrolled in a training program to become an Employment Counselor. Upon receiving her certificate, she was promoted within Clean City’s training department. Three years ago, Artena became the Manager of the Clean City Partnership program and now leads over a hundred men and women through the program annually. She still credits Clean City for believing in her when she didn’t believe in herself.
Clean City’s training program (Clean City Partnership) and social enterprise (Clean City Services) provide employment opportunities and support services, such as the employment counselors who lead computer–based job search sessions each day. Over 90% of Clean City training graduates find jobs during the four months of the program. Other Clean City programs include Clean City Recyclers and the San Francisco Tool Lending Center. REDF and Clean City plan on working together to increase the effectiveness of their businesses and determine viable growth strategies. REDF’s core support includes unrestricted funding and business assistance to help strengthen and grow Clean City’s business. In addition, REDF will offer opportunities for Clean City to interact with the three other groups in our portfolio.  REDF is poised to recruit several professionals with MBAs, relevant consulting or small business experience, and an interest in poverty alleviation and/or social enterprise for one-year Farber Fellowships. If this interests you or someone you know, please visit our website for job descriptions which will be posted soon. In addition to our one-year Farber Fellow Program for MBA graduates, we offer a summer internship program to MBA students. This summer, four Farber MBA Interns worked at REDF and for our portfolio organizations. They all indicated that their internship offered them a rich experience. REDF organized 11 professional development, networking and social events during the summer to complement the interns’ hands–on experience. These included a round table discussion led by Professor Greg Dees of the Fuqua School at Duke; a Nonprofit Strategy session led by Daniel Stid from Bridgespan and a lunch with REDF Board Chair George Roberts, and Board members Stuart Davidson and Stuart Moldaw at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.(KKR). The interns’ projects on social return on investment, job opportunities in the green sector, marketing, and financial management will be essential to REDF’s portfolio organizations as they assess the viability of new enterprise ideas and optimize the performance of their current businesses. Two of the interns will be working remotely with REDF during the fall semester on disseminating their findings to a wider audience. With the beginning of the new school year this month, many students have started thinking about the upcoming summer between the first and second years in their MBA program. In anticipation of this, REDF will be posting Farber Intern job descriptions in January 2008. There will be an opportunity to learn more about the Farber Program coming soon. This summer’s interns will present on a panel about their Farber Intern experience at the Net Impact Conference, November 1–3 in Nashville. REDF staff will also be at the conference to discuss the benefits of the REDF Farber Internship Program in further detail. Social Enterprise Goals and Challenges Highlighted in Podcast with Community Housing Partnership (REDF Portfolio Organization) Columbia Law School Teaches REDF’s ‘If the Shoe Fits’ on Starting a Venture as a Nonprofit or For–Profit How Can Social Enterprise Managers Better Balance Their Financial Goals with Their Social Mission? An Article by REDF’s Esther Kim Explains. Carla Javits Appointed to California Housing Finance Agency Board Social Enterprise Reporter Interview with Carla REDF looks forward to participating in three upcoming conferences: Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO) 2008 National Conference Social Enterprise Alliance Accepting Proposals for 2008 Summit National Transitional Jobs Network 2008 Conference in Oakland, CA We are grateful for the support we receive from our generous donors. Individuals Foundations and Corporations Corporate Matching Gifts If our list is incomplete or your name is listed inaccurately, please accept our sincere apologies and contact Jason Trimiew at 415-561-6683. If you wish to join our list of generous supporters, please click here or contact the REDF development office at 415-561-6683 or jtrimiew@redf.org. |
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