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REDF invests in businesses that reveal and reinforce the talent of people breaking through barriers to employment. They focus specifically on employment social enterprises - businesses that create jobs and opportunities for individuals who face significant challenges in accessing traditional employment pathways.
The organization operates through a comprehensive approach that combines capital, capacity building, and community support to help their portfolio enterprises grow further and faster. Their mission centers on building a thriving and inclusive society where all people have the jobs and support they need to realize their full potential, guided by the vision of creating an economy that works for everyone.
REDF plays a critical role in the social enterprise ecosystem by not only providing direct investment and support to employment-focused businesses, but also by evaluating what works and sharing their learnings to drive broader policy and systems change. Their multi-faceted approach spans from early-stage accelerator programs to growth-stage investments and advocacy partnerships with government entities, positioning them as both an investor and a thought leader in advancing employment opportunities for underserved populations.
REDF invests in employment social enterprises - businesses specifically designed to create jobs and opportunities for people facing barriers to employment. Their approach encompasses multiple stages of business development, from early-stage enterprises through growth-stage companies, providing flexible loan capital where social entrepreneurs' lived expertise serves as collateral.
The organization appears to focus on supporting social entrepreneurs who have personal experience with the challenges their businesses address, operating primarily through structured programs including accelerator cohorts, multi-year growth portfolio investments, and an impact investing fund. They define impact through the lens of employment creation and workforce development, measuring success by how effectively their portfolio companies reveal and reinforce talent in underserved populations while building sustainable, scalable business models.

Photo credit: REDF
Comprehensive Support Model
Combines capital, capacity building, and community support to help enterprises grow further and faster.
Flexible Loan Capital
Roberts Impact Investing Fund provides flexible financing where lived expertise serves as collateral for social entrepreneurs.
Accelerator Program
Six-month cohort-based learning experience designed to springboard growth for early-stage enterprise leaders.
Regional Ecosystem Building
Cultivates place-based networks connecting social enterprises, employers, agencies, funders, and service partners.
Policy Advocacy
Engages in government partnerships and policy advocacy to advance the employment social enterprise field.
Investment stages
Locations