Applications are open for REDF's 2026 Accelerator Cohort!
The REDF Accelerator is a 6-month, hands-on program comprising 100+ hours of applied learning. This program is designed to help leaders from employment social enterprises increase their revenue and impact while strengthening their employee support services. In 2026, two people from each enterprise will be invited to apply to work in collaboration alongside peers to learn and implement best practices.
Each accepted pair of leaders represents their enterprise as they work with the peer cohort on current challenges and network with coaches and consultants in the field.
During this highly interactive six-month program, your team will work alongside your peers to learn and put into practice the methods, skills, and tools needed to achieve big goals and reach key milestones. And there’s no fee to participate. You can learn more about our program here.
To hear what our past Accelerator cohort had to say, watch this video. Meet our previous Accelerator participants here. Find details on our application process and key links in our application toolkit
The Accelerator is accepting applications starting Monday, August 25, 2025, and applications close Friday, September 26, 2025. The Accelerator will run one cohort in 2026.
Funding
The benefits don’t end after those six months ― once your team has successfully completed the REDF Accelerator, your organization will receive a $20,000 unrestricted grant to implement some of the high-impact lessons learned during the Accelerator. Your organization will also become part of REDFs Community of 200+ leading employment social enterprises located around the country, gaining access to additional skill-building resources, capacity building from the REDF team, and the opportunity to continue to learn alongside your peers.
Program Expectations
Two leaders from each enterprise must commit to the following program expectations:
- Commit to attending all sessions and engage in peer collaboration.
- Willingness to collaborate with peers in the cohort
- Attendance & participation in programming during three cohort convenings (reference program dates in “How To Apply”).
- Participation in 2-5 hours of programming per week in-between cohort convenings. These hours consist of:
- Homework Assignments
- Peer Feedback Group Sessions
- Social Hours & Activities
- 1:1 Office Hours
- Leadership & Tactical Coaching
- Travel Logistics:
- REDF pays for lodging and most meals.
- ESE Leader pays for transportation.
- Travel stipends are available upon request. These stipends may not cover the full cost of travel.
Your team can view our detailed program attendance & participation policy here.
Program Dates
Below are the dates for the 2026 Accelerator Cohort programming. The dates below are potentially subject to change. The REDF team will communicate updates to all applicants as they are decided:
- Welcome Session: January 7, 2026 (virtual)
- Program Orientation: January 28, 2026 (virtual)
- 2026 Convening Dates: Running from February through June:
- Session 1: February 9 - 13, 2026 (in-person) - NOTE: Location will be shared soon.
- Session 2: April 6 - 10, 2026 (virtual)
- Session 3: June 1-5, 2026 (San Francisco, CA)
If you have questions, reach out to the REDF team at connect@redf.org.
Program Outcomes
- Change Management Plan – An implementation plan to apply learnings from the program directly into your social enterprise and inclusive of strategies and prototypes to increase their enterprise’s financial sustainability, grow the number of people employed, and strengthen their programmatic supports.
- A Community of Peers – You’ll leave with an incredible network of peers in the social enterprise ecosystem, such as: A cohort of 20 ESE Leaders from across the US, REDF’s network of over 200 social enterprises is located in 30 states and DC, and introductions to industry experts.
- Program Grant – $20,000 unrestricted grant to begin applying curriculum learnings.
Eligibility Criteria & Selection Timeline
In the 2026 cohort, two leaders from each enterprise are invited to apply to participate in the Accelerator. Leadership teams and enterprises must meet our eligibility criteria to be considered.
The Accelerator is accepting applications starting Monday, August 25, 2025, and applications close Friday, September 26, 2025 at 11:59 pm PST.
Application Process Key Dates:
- Applications Open for 2026 Cohort: August 25, 2025
- Applications Close for 2026 Cohort: September 26, 2025
- Interview Week: October 20 - 24, 2025
- Notification of 2026 Cohort: November 3 - 14, 2025
For more details on our application process, view the Application Toolkit here. If you have questions, reach out to our team at connect@redf.org.
Helpful Resources
Find details on our application process and key links in our application toolkit
You can learn more about our eligibility criteria here
You can view our REDF Accelerator Informational Webinar here
You can view the detailed attendance and participation policy here
COVID-19 Policy here
- Email us at connect@redf.org for any questions regarding eligibility
REDF Accelerator Application
Applications are open for REDF's 2026 Accelerator Cohort!
The REDF Accelerator is a 6-month, hands-on program comprising 100+ hours of applied learning. This program is designed to help leaders from employment social enterprises increase their revenue and impact while strengthening their employee support services. In 2026, two people from each enterprise will be invited to apply to work in collaboration alongside peers to learn and implement best practices.
Each accepted pair of leaders represents their enterprise as they work with the peer cohort on current challenges and network with coaches and consultants in the field.
During this highly interactive six-month program, your team will work alongside your peers to learn and put into practice the methods, skills, and tools needed to achieve big goals and reach key milestones. And there’s no fee to participate. You can learn more about our program here.
To hear what our past Accelerator cohort had to say, watch this video. Meet our previous Accelerator participants here. Find details on our application process and key links in our application toolkit
The Accelerator is accepting applications starting Monday, August 25, 2025, and applications close Friday, September 26, 2025. The Accelerator will run one cohort in 2026.
Funding
The benefits don’t end after those six months ― once your team has successfully completed the REDF Accelerator, your organization will receive a $20,000 unrestricted grant to implement some of the high-impact lessons learned during the Accelerator. Your organization will also become part of REDFs Community of 200+ leading employment social enterprises located around the country, gaining access to additional skill-building resources, capacity building from the REDF team, and the opportunity to continue to learn alongside your peers.
Program Expectations
Two leaders from each enterprise must commit to the following program expectations:
- Commit to attending all sessions and engage in peer collaboration.
- Willingness to collaborate with peers in the cohort
- Attendance & participation in programming during three cohort convenings (reference program dates in “How To Apply”).
- Participation in 2-5 hours of programming per week in-between cohort convenings. These hours consist of:
- Homework Assignments
- Peer Feedback Group Sessions
- Social Hours & Activities
- 1:1 Office Hours
- Leadership & Tactical Coaching
- Travel Logistics:
- REDF pays for lodging and most meals.
- ESE Leader pays for transportation.
- Travel stipends are available upon request. These stipends may not cover the full cost of travel.
Your team can view our detailed program attendance & participation policy here.
Program Dates
Below are the dates for the 2026 Accelerator Cohort programming. The dates below are potentially subject to change. The REDF team will communicate updates to all applicants as they are decided:
- Welcome Session: January 7, 2026 (virtual)
- Program Orientation: January 28, 2026 (virtual)
- 2026 Convening Dates: Running from February through June:
- Session 1: February 9 - 13, 2026 (in-person) - NOTE: Location will be shared soon.
- Session 2: April 6 - 10, 2026 (virtual)
- Session 3: June 1-5, 2026 (San Francisco, CA)
If you have questions, reach out to the REDF team at connect@redf.org.
Program Outcomes
- Change Management Plan – An implementation plan to apply learnings from the program directly into your social enterprise and inclusive of strategies and prototypes to increase their enterprise’s financial sustainability, grow the number of people employed, and strengthen their programmatic supports.
- A Community of Peers – You’ll leave with an incredible network of peers in the social enterprise ecosystem, such as: A cohort of 20 ESE Leaders from across the US, REDF’s network of over 200 social enterprises is located in 30 states and DC, and introductions to industry experts.
- Program Grant – $20,000 unrestricted grant to begin applying curriculum learnings.
Eligibility Criteria & Selection Timeline
In the 2026 cohort, two leaders from each enterprise are invited to apply to participate in the Accelerator. Leadership teams and enterprises must meet our eligibility criteria to be considered.
The Accelerator is accepting applications starting Monday, August 25, 2025, and applications close Friday, September 26, 2025 at 11:59 pm PST.
Application Process Key Dates:
- Applications Open for 2026 Cohort: August 25, 2025
- Applications Close for 2026 Cohort: September 26, 2025
- Interview Week: October 20 - 24, 2025
- Notification of 2026 Cohort: November 3 - 14, 2025
For more details on our application process, view the Application Toolkit here. If you have questions, reach out to our team at connect@redf.org.
Helpful Resources
Find details on our application process and key links in our application toolkit
You can learn more about our eligibility criteria here
You can view our REDF Accelerator Informational Webinar here
You can view the detailed attendance and participation policy here
COVID-19 Policy here
- Email us at connect@redf.org for any questions regarding eligibility