In 2017, New Profit, John Legend’s FREEAMERICA, and Bank of America teamed up to take on this challenge and launch Unlocked Futures, an accelerator program with two key areas of focus: Backing entrepreneurs who have direct experience with the criminal justice system and changing the public mindset about renewal and the constructive role people who are formerly incarcerated can play in society. In its first year, Unlocked Futures has supported eight early-stage entrepreneurs with unrestricted funding and strategic support.

Teresa Hodge and Mission: Launch developed a working prototype for R3 Score -- a FinTech analysis tool and online marketplace de-risking individuals with records so they can access mainstream financial products and services -- and are poised to launch pilots with local banking partners in 2019.

Read more about Unlocked Futures and find lessons for donors.

Learn more about the Unlocked Futures Fund.