A first-of-its-kind, $42M investment in employment social enterprises.
In partnership with the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (with Redefine Alliance serving as program lead), the California Regional Initiative for Social Enterprise (CA RISE) delivers capital and customized technical assistance to businesses across the state that employ, train, and support talented Californians overcoming barriers to employment.
Together, these capital and capacity investments are growing the sector — and accelerate economic inclusion and mobility across California.
CA RISE 2026-2027
CA RISE Applications Are Closed
Thank you to all the organizations that applied to join the 2026 CA RISE cohort. Applications are now closed and are being reviewed by the CA RISE team.
All applicants will be contacted directly regarding the outcome of their application. Award announcements are anticipated in September 2026.
2026-2027 Program Details
Incubator
Incubator track is designed for 501(c)3 nonprofits that want to start an ESE
Core
Core track is designed for ESEs that have not yet been part of CA RISE
Growth
Growth track is designed for ESE alumni of CA RISE with strategic plans to grow
The Inaugural CA RISE Cohort (2024-2025)
Partners
Local public partners, training providers, and private sector employers that expand opportunities for people who are typically not served through traditional workforce systems.
Evaluation
Access to capital
ESEs selected for CA RISE through a competitive grant process receive a one-time grant to support investments related to the sustainable growth of their business, increased economic mobility among their participant employees, or, in some cases, both. (Grant award amounts are determined by the ESE’s operating budget.)
Grantees also obtain assistance in enrolling in additional government programs (e.g. SNAP Employment and Training) to explore other sources of potential funds.
Tailored capacity building
Grantees have access to:
- cohort-based training on two learning tracks: sustainable growth and economic mobility
- cohort-based and one-to-one customized technical assistance
- a suite of tools and learning modules on Workshop, a virtual capacity building toolbox to help build, grow, and sustain high-impact employment social enterprises
Advisory services
Enterprises are assigned a relationship manager — aka a primary contact and trusted partner. The relationship manager’s goal is to be the glue and guiding light over the course of this grant. They will help grantees brainstorm how to strengthen their business and employment models and help navigate Redefine Alliance resources.
Deepened connections
In line with our commitment to advance the employment social enterprise sector at large, Redefine Alliance connects grantees with public partners, training providers, private sector employers, and each other to build a more integrated system that supports Californians in search of a new beginning.
CA RISE Case Studies
Over the course of the program, CA RISE grantee organizations built new business lines, grew their capacity, and hired additional people with barriers to employment. Read more about the journeys of these grantee organizations.
Kevin McCartyAssembly Member, D-Sacramento
Tara Lynn GrayFormer Director, CalOSBA
Get updates on CA RISE
Sign up here to receive CA RISE program updates via email.
