Giving Compass' Take:

•EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute is a social enterprise that was able to successfully pivot during COVID-19 to meet the needs of the community and keep individuals employed. 

• How can donors help organizations make strategic pivots during this time? 

• Read more on how funders can help nonprofits weather coronavirus. 

Since its opening in Cleveland, Ohio, in November 2013, EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute has been one of America’s most successful social enterprises, a nonprofit restaurant that gives formerly incarcerated adults a foundation in the culinary and hospitality industry while providing the network and support necessary for successful reentry.

Civil Society Fellow Matt Fieldman was part of the founding team for EDWINS, serving as its first Board President from 2011 through 2016, and now serving as the President of the EDWINS Second Chance Skills Center. Nearly all employees at the Restaurant, Butcher Shop and Bakery are alumni of the program, more than 145 restaurants in Northeast Ohio have hired our 375 graduates, and, most importantly, the recidivism rate of an EDWINS graduate is less than two percent – compared with 40-60% nationally.

EDWINS functions as a tuition-free education and support program – offering housing, case management, employment support, and much more – all under the umbrella of a thriving social enterprise that serves fine-dining French cuisine at its Cleveland restaurant. Students learn in a classroom setting by day and by night, obtain experiential training and refinement at EDWINS Restaurant.

Like all restaurants, EDWINS was forced to make difficult choices in light of COVID-19, but never wavered its commitment to its community. Rather than closing up completely, EDWINS pivoted, and shifted its focus from French fine-dining to offering family-style meals for four people for $40.

The pivot allows EDWINS to feed Cleveland and expand patrons beyond typical diners, as well as meet the needs of the current crisis.

Read the full article about meeting the needs of the community at The Aspen Institute.