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MBAs with a Mission
Spring 2004 In This Issue:
Kristen’s Corner
With recent winter storms still fresh in our memories, warm weather may seem like a long way away — but at REDF, we’re already thinking about summer. Hiring for our Farber Interns Program, which matches MBA students with summer job opportunities in the REDF Portfolio, is moving into high gear. This summer seven Farber Interns will apply their business skills to enterprise-specific projects, ranging from developing a merchandising plan to assessing the feasibility of a potential new business — take a look at this year’s job descriptions for more details. We’ll also make sure the interns have ample (and fun!) opportunities to get to know each other, the REDF Portfolio, and other San Francisco Bay Area organizations pursuing both business and social goals. Past Farber events have included a bus tour of REDF Portfolio enterprises, a San Francisco Giants game, a private reception hosted by one of REDF’s investors and the end-of-summer barbeque.
With generous support from the Phalarope Foundation and its trustee Stuart Davidson, the Farber Interns and Fellows Programs were created in 1997 to provide a unique opportunity for MBAs to utilize their management skills within one of our social mission-driven nonprofit enterprises. Thanks to Phalarope’s ongoing support, more than 60 Farber Interns and Fellows have worked with the REDF Portfolio since the program’s inception. Many have gone on to contribute their skills and talents to other social service work. Stanford MBA grad Anne Marie Burgoyne, for instance, was the 2002 Farber Fellow for REDF Portfolio member Community Gatepath and recently assumed the role of Executive Director at United Cerebral Palsy’s Oakland, CA location. “I believe in creating opportunities for bright, business-minded individuals to bring their talents to the nonprofit sector,” says Stuart. “With REDF’s focus on results and deep relationships with its portfolio organizations, I know my investment is in good hands.”
 A Community Gatepath Farber Intern (left) enjoys the bus tour of REDF Portfolio enterprises
Community Gatepath, a REDF Portfolio organization based in Burlingame, California, has been one beneficiary of the Farber program. Community Gatepath provides training, employment and other services for more than 1,000 individuals with developmental disabilities. Clients work in one of the agency’s three businesses: a landscaping service, a light assembly and production shop, and a group staffing service which places teams at external worksites (Safeway and Longs Drugs, for example)
Community Gatepath has hired two Farber Interns and a Farber Fellow in recent years, to work on projects such as developing the agency’s real estate strategy and weighing opportunities to expand its reach. “Each of the projects our Farbers undertook played a key part in Community Gatepath’s strategic planning process,” says Sheryl Young Hunt, Community Gatepath’s CEO. “The individuals we hired brought great energy and business talent to our agency, and through their skills and hard work we were able to explore new opportunities that otherwise might have taken a back seat to the day-to-day demands on our staff.” This summer’s Farber Intern at Community Gatepath will analyze new market opportunities for an enterprise, and research companies that seek to improve their track record of working with disabled populations.
Recent good news at REDF
Last month REDF received notification of the IRS’s approval of our independent tax status. For the first time in our history, REDF is now officially a free-standing, 501(c)(3) organization. We’re also pleased to announce that REDF has added a new member to our team! Barbara Pierce, a development consultant who has been working closely with REDF on our fundraising strategy, has agreed to join us on a long-term basis. We’re delighted that we will continue to benefit from her knowledge and experience — welcome, Barbara!
And finally, Kristen was included both as an Advisory Board member and a contributing writer for Fast Company’s January 2004 issue on social entrepreneurship. Read more on Fast Company’s website about some of the common social enterprise myths REDF has encountered in our work.
We wish you a happy and healthy end-of-winter season!
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