The Kitchen at Billings Forge

Our Vision
- Our VisionAn economy that works. for everyone.
- Who We BackWe partner with social entrepreneurs to amplify the success of their businesses and the people they employ.
- How We Do ItWe help our enterprises grow further, faster through a combination of capital, capacity building, and community support.
- ImpactOur partnership accelerates the growth and impact of the enterprises we back.
Our Work
- Our WorkWe invest in businesses that reveal and reinforce the talent of people breaking through barriers to employment.
- National Field BuildingWe invest in businesses across the country that reveal and reinforce the talents of people breaking through barriers to employment
  - AcceleratorA six-month cohort-based learning experience for leaders of early-stage enterprises to springboard growth.
  - GrantmakingCatalytic investments for employment social enterprises at key inflection points
  - Impact Investing FundFlexible loan capital for employment social entrepreneurs whose lived expertise is their collateral.
  - Gov. Partnerships & PolicyAdvocacy and public sector partnerships to advance the field.
  - CommunityCurated space and resources to help our social enterprise partners connect, grow, and lead.
  - Farber FellowshipGrad students bring cutting-edge skills and passion to help employment social enterprises reach their full potential.
- Regional EcosystemsWe’re cultivating place-based networks of social enterprises, inclusive employers, public agencies, funders, and social service partners
  - Los AngelesAn established ecosystem, focused on transformative scale
  - IllinoisA fast-expanding ecosystem, focused on policy achievement
  - AppalachiaAn emerging ecosystem, focused on seeding capacity & coordination
Investments
About
- AboutWe envision a thriving and inclusive society where all people have the jobs and the support they need to realize their full potential.
- Mission & CultureIt’s not just what we do, it’s how we do it that matters.
- Our PeopleWe’re a motley crew of leaders and learners dedicated to building an economy that works. For everyone.
- CareersKnowing your work is improving lives is not the only benefit of the job. View opportunities to join our team.
- SupportersOur generous funders and individual donors make this work possible.
- HistorySince 1997, Redefine Alliance has been using business as a force for good.
- FinancialsRedefine Alliance achieves the highest levels of accountability and transparency.
News & Research
- News & ResearchLearn the latest about the incredible work happening throughout our Redefine Alliance community
- Economic PowerExplore our research around economic power, and learn some concrete steps that employers and communities can take to help people build autonomy in their own lives.
- InsightsWe evaluate what works and share our learnings to spark action for policy and systems change.
- WorkshopWorkshop is an open, free virtual capacity building toolbox to help you build, grow, and sustain high-impact employment social enterprises.
- PressCheck out features & interviews on ESEs and inclusive employers from news outlets around the country

The Kitchen is two cafes, a catering business, and cooking classes, managed by Billings Forge Community Works as a business with a social purpose. They provide job training in culinary and customer service skills for residents of Hartford. Redefine Alliance supported their café expansion, enabling them to employ and train more individuals.

Website

Milestones

2017-2018: Project Grant Recipient*
2019: Accelerator Fellow
Althea Bates

*Past Redefine Alliance program offering

Populations Served

Industries

Food Preparation & Serving

Location

Connecticut