Redefine Alliance

10/21/2026

Redefining what talent looks like takes all of us.

At our June Community Retreat in Chicago, employment social enterprises, funders, and policy leaders came together to share how they’re creating opportunities and changing what people see as possible.

Watch the full retreat video and join the movement: https://bit.ly/3WmYduF

10/16/2026

CA RISE is back with a 2026-2027 cohort! 🎉 We’re welcoming 63 organizations from across California that are working to expand employment opportunities and build economic power statewide.

Through our continued partnership with California Office of the Small Business Advocate CalOSBA), $13.2 million will go directly to these employment social enterprises (ESEs). These businesses are creating jobs, helping workers develop skills, and strengthening local economies. This year’s cohort also includes a new Incubator Track, supporting nonprofits as they design and launch employment social enterprises rooted in their communities.

On October 13 and 14, grantees from across California gathered at Homeward Bound of Marin in Novato to kick off the cohort. Through workshops, peer learning, and a site visit to Planting Justice in El Sobrante, they explored ways to strengthen their businesses and expand opportunities for people facing barriers to work.

Together, these organizations are helping more people earn income, develop new skills, and build the economic power of their communities.

Thank you to all our partners and to Governor Gavin Newsom for continuing to champion CA RISE and recognizing employment social enterprises as a vital part of California’s economy.

Read the full announcement and meet the 2026 cohort: https://bit.ly/47tDK9Z

10/14/2026

What does it take to connect more people to quality jobs and economic power?

At SOCAP - Social Capital Markets, Redefine Alliance President and CEO Maria Kim moderated “A Solution that Scales: Building Pathways to Economic Power Through Regional Ecosystems.” She was joined by leaders from Redefine’s community: Brenda Palms of North Lawndale Employment Network, Laura Zumdahl of New Moms, Mark Loranger of Chrysalis, and Jacob Hannah of Coalfield Development Corporation.

Drawing on their work in Los Angeles, Illinois, and Central Appalachia, they shared how local partners are building inclusive employment ecosystems and what other communities can learn from their experience.

A key takeaway came when Brenda shared Bryan Stevenson’s words: “We’re all better than our worst mistakes.” Seeing the possibility in people can change how we build partnerships, from inclusive hiring to businesses carrying social enterprise products. When employers, nonprofits, businesses, funders, policymakers, and other stakeholders work together, they build the partnerships that make an economy that works for everyone possible.

Thank you to Brenda, Laura, Mark, and Jacob for sharing what they’re learning as they build ecosystems – and to everyone who joined the conversation!

10/13/2026

Ask Redefine Alliance President and CEO Maria Kim what economic power looks like, and she’ll likely tell you about JaShawn.

Today, JaShawn is the Executive Director of Chicago Survivors, helping families and communities heal after violence. Maria first met her years ago when JaShawn joined the employment social enterprise where Maria was working. Maria got to witness her contagious joy, warm leadership, and the way she continuously helped others see what was possible.

Employment social enterprises create jobs, training, and support for people facing barriers to work. Alongside her recovery community, the ESE gave JaShawn a place to put her strengths to work and build toward the future she wanted.

At SOCAP - Social Capital Markets Global, Maria shared JaShawn’s story in a Brief & Bold talk about ESEs and economic power: having the work, wealth, and well-being to build agency and shape your own future.

JaShawn’s story is one of millions. Learn how we’re backing businesses that create more pathways to economic power: redefinealliance.org.

10/12/2026

Economic power is having the work, wealth, and well-being needed to build agency and shape one’s future. And economic power can look different in every life.

At Redefine Alliance, we invest in businesses breaking barriers to employment, so that more people can build economic power.

Meet Ashley and Sinica. In this video, they share the barriers they’ve navigated, the support they found through employment social enterprises, and what it means to have more choice in their direction in life.

Watch their stories: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4aA7hil3iY

Learn more: https://redefinealliance.org/economic-power/

Economic Power hub Introducing the Economic Power Framework from Redefine Alliance — a way to understand and expand the conditions that allow individuals to build wealth and exercise control over their lives. Hub Contents Economic Power Get Started The Journey Exclusion Inclusion Stability Autonom...

10/07/2026

We’re looking for a Revenue and Grants Accountant to join our team!

Behind every grant and donation is work that helps businesses create more opportunities for people facing barriers to employment. In this role, you’ll help us keep that funding on track and work closely with teammates across Redefine Alliance.

If you have 2–4 years of accounting or financial planning experience, love getting the details right, and enjoy improving how things work, we’d love to hear from you.

Interested, or know someone who might be? Take a look at the role and apply: https://bit.ly/4jdkeWt

10/06/2026

Applications close October 8!

Illinois-based employment social enterprises and inclusive employers can apply for $10,000 to $15,000 in technical assistance funding to strengthen their readiness for government grants and contracts.

Up to 10 organizations will be selected to work with Redefine Alliance to:
➡️ Identify gaps in government contract readiness
➡️ Develop a targeted technical assistance project
➡️ Select a provider that meets their needs
➡️ Put that support into action

Ready to apply? Complete the readiness assessment (https://bit.ly/4yaKS6M) and submit your application by end of day on October 8, 2026.

Apply here: https://bit.ly/4zjqwIX

Know an Illinois organization that could benefit? Please share this opportunity with them.

09/30/2026

Meet Redefine Alliance’s inaugural Ambassadors! 🎉

The Ambassador program brings together professionals who are passionate about social impact and want to help grow the movement for an economy that works for everyone.

The members of our inaugural group are alums of Redefine’s Farber Fellowship, which has introduced graduate students to employment social enterprise for nearly three decades. These business leaders have remained committed to social impact in their careers, and we’re thrilled to keep collaborating with them in this movement.

As Ambassadors, they’ll use their voices, networks, and expertise to raise awareness of employment social enterprise, connect more people with Redefine’s work, and champion businesses breaking barriers.

We’re proud to introduce:
➡️ Mackenzie Norton
➡️Eliza Chory-Noyes
➡️Isra Syed Hussain
➡️Shirley Gao
➡️Ava Damri
➡️Namratha Dasalukunte Sridhar
➡️John Burgoyne
➡️Malcolm McVay

Thank you for stepping into this new role and helping us build what comes next!

09/29/2026

Illinois employment social enterprises and inclusive employers: Are you looking to grow through government funding or contracts?

Redefine Alliance is offering technical assistance grants of $10,000 to $15,000 to help up to 10 Illinois-based organizations strengthen their readiness to pursue and manage government opportunities.

Want to learn more? Join our virtual information session tomorrow, September 30: https://bit.ly/4xRgRYO

Selected organizations will work with Redefine to develop a technical assistance project, identify and select their preferred provider, and support project implementation.

Applications close October 8: https://bit.ly/4zjqwIX

09/29/2026

AI is changing frontline work — and it’s essential we help to shape that change.

Our recent report explores how employment social enterprises are already leading the way, helping to ensure that AI expands opportunity, strengthens businesses, and serves rather than sidelines historically overlooked talent.

Drawing on research and conversations with more than 20 ESE leaders, this report offers a practical look at the next phase of the future of work and what the field can do now.

Written by Redefiners Jeff Bergquist, Yodit Beyene, and Debbie Chou, with special thanks to Carla Javits, Manie Grewal, Nicole Masters, and the ESE leaders who informed the work.

Read the report now: https://redefinealliance.org/news/new-research-ai-frontline-workers-and-what-eses-are-showing-the-field/