REDF works closely with its portfolio of nonprofit organizations to build and grow social enterprises. We do this by providing a package of grants and hands-on business assistance, tailored specifically for the needs of the social enterprise(s) being supported.

Types of assistance can include

• Unrestricted grants for general operating support of the social enterprise
• Restricted grants for specific infrastructure needs, e.g., capital, technology, financial systems
• REDF staff and/or consultants for business assistance needs, e.g., business planning, business development, operational analysis, industry expertise
• Human capital, including Farber Interns and/or Fellows, as well as assistance recruiting key enterprise positions
• Assistance with measurement of social outcomes and tracking of financial performance
• Networking and field-building opportunities

REDF’s approach is very hands-on. We build close relationships with our portfolio organizations and interact frequently in our work together. We believe that a social enterprise is just like any other business that requires careful nurturing, close monitoring, risk tolerance, and patient capital in order to be successful. The approach is similar to a venture capital investor seeking to support a startup or growing business, but our goal is to create jobs for people with barriers to employment, and the “return on investment” that we seek is to create successful long-term outcomes for as many people with barriers as possible.