REDF: Venture Philanthropy and Social Enterprise Growth

REDF works with investment partners to close the gap between social enterprises and their capital needs. For 20 years, REDF has invested in and advised more than 100 social enterprises. These are double bottom-line businesses with a social mission: to create real jobs that target employment to people whose histories have left them out of the job market. The enterprises REDF has assisted have helped more than 16,000 men and women gain real experience on-the-job, while earning income. Employees of these businesses receive training to build the skills and abilities that employers demand and the necessary support to address issues like addiction, trauma, or limited education. Through this employment, these workers build the confidence, knowledge and networks to navigate the path toward greater economic mobility.

Building on the promising results of a large-scale evaluation of REDF’s portfolio, the Mathematica Jobs Study, REDF and its partners now aim to help 50,000 people move into the workforce by 2020.  To reach that goal, REDF is engaging multi-sector leaders in philanthropy, government, and business to exchange learning and ideas, and find effective ways to work together.

Please join us for this conversation with Carla Javits, President and CEO of REDF and a national leader in the social enterprise movement, where we will discuss effective practices and policies for social enterprise growth.

For some background on social enterprises and workforce development, Linda Dworak at Maryland Philanthropy Network suggests: Social Enterprise: Proceed, with Caution, a Pinkerton Paper by Steven L. Dawson.

This program is for Maryland Philanthropy Network members and invited guests.