Giving Compass' Take:

• My Social Good News announces a new Roberts Enterprise Development Fund and Citi Foundation initiative that looks to expand a social enterprise model for employment opportunities in the U.S.

• Could this inspire other employment programs to step up their game? How can we scale initiatives that show measurable success in getting people back to work?

Here are things we still don't understand about persistent poverty and employment.


REDF (The Roberts Enterprise Development Fund), a pioneering leader of the social enterprise movement, announced the single largest foundation grant in its 21-year history: a $2.5 million investment from the Citi Foundation to help more men and women overcome serious employment barriers, find jobs and build a better life.

Through this initiative, the Citi Foundation will enable REDF to further scale its work and provide additional capital and specialized advisory services to social enterprises — revenue generating businesses that provide training and jobs to people overcoming significant barriers to employment, including histories of homelessness, incarceration, addiction and limited education.

REDF’s track history and data validate that employment social enterprises are one of the best tools for helping individuals who are disconnected from the job market make the transition back into the competitive workforce to ultimately build stable futures and achieve greater economic mobility. The Citi Foundation’s investment will enable REDF to reach an additional 20 social enterprises across the United States over the next two years, ultimately helping over 6,000 young people and adults access paid work experience, on-the-job training and industry recognized credentials.

Read the full article about REDF and Citi Foundation expanding social enterprise model for employment by Api Podder at My Social Good News.