Rubicon National Social Innovations (RNSI) is a laboratory for scaling social enterprise. We believe that for social enterprise to have a significant impact on poverty and jobs in America, it must be re-imagined on a much greater scale. Our goal is to develop nationally-scaled social purpose businesses which rely on market forces to achieve financial sustainability while maximizing social returns for working poor and disenfranchised communities.
RNSI is an initiative of Rubicon Programs, an award-winning leader in the social enterprise field with over 20 years experience building effective social purpose businesses including Rubicon Bakery and Rubicon Landscape Services. Both of these enterprises train and employ a workforce largely comprised of target population clients.
Check out our BLOG for more about what we're doing and thinking.
Click here for a Spring update from Rubicon's President, Rick Aubry.
Target Population Served
We are exploring enterprises that will benefit the working poor and/or disenfranchised communities including exincarcerated individuals, people who have experienced homelessness, substance abuse challenges, behavioral health issues, or challenges transitioning from public welfare to work.
We are interested in enterprises that achieve a significant social impact by either a) creating a large number of job opportunities for the target population or b) providing solutions to hardships faced by these target populations.
Strategy
Near-Term (12-24 months)
- Demonstrate by example that a nationally-scaled social enterprise can successfully achieve a significant impact on
- individuals living in poverty without long term subsidies. We will launch at least one new venture and/or scale an existing venture that satisfies the social and financial criteria.
Long-Term (2+years):
- Foster the development of a portfolio of scalable, high impact, sustainable social enterprises by serving as an incubator and/or social venture capital firm for the business concepts of others.
RNSI’s Competitive Advantage
- Rubicon Experience – Demonstrated success and knowledge base as practitioners of renowned social enterprises.
- Human and Financial Capital – Committed funds for dedicated professional staff of serial entrepreneurs and financial resources to focus on bringing a nationally-scaled business concept to life.
- Network – Strong connections with capital providers, social entrepreneurial leaders, and potential partners in nonprofit and private sectors.
- Big, Bold Thinking – Most social enterprises start in order to serve a local market need and are community based. Our national scaling strategy focuses us on bold solutions with national corporate and workforce partnerships that address many communities, creating scale and scope economies.
Strategic Partners
RNSI is in the process of developing a national network of nonprofit, corporate and public partners throughout the U.S. to support business growth and delivery of social services in their local areas.
Funding Partners
Our Team
Rick Aubry, President (read his bio)
Jonathan Harrison, Director (read his bio)
Kari Ness Riedel, Director (read her bio)
Shaine Helsloot, Project Coordinator (read her bio)
