EMPOWERING Good Work.
What is ESE?
An employment social enterprise (ESE) is two things at once: a vibrant business and a community impact organization.
Social enterprises offer real training, real work and real opportunity for folks in our community who are navigating barriers to employment.
To borrow language from our friends at REDF, ESE’s “exist to create jobs and economic mobility for overlooked talent… These companies produce and sell high-quality products and services, then reinvest their profits into their employees and communities.”
BUILDING TRAINING + WORK OPPORTUNITIES IN DENVER.
The Denver ECOSYSTEM
The Mile High City is home to some amazing operations. Get to know a few here and explore all of them in the Directory.
WHy Employment social enterprise?
We envision a Denver where employment social enterprises are a visible, trusted part of the city’s economic fabric.
In this future, mission-driven businesses operate across industries, creating hundreds (or thousands!) of paid pathways each year for people rebuilding their lives and stepping into stability.
Employers, hospitals, municipalities, universities, and local companies actively partner with ESEs, knowing they deliver both quality services and meaningful community impact.
Funders invest confidently in the ecosystem, seeing measurable returns not only in employment outcomes, but in stronger families, safer neighborhoods, and a more resilient local economy.
Leaders of these organizations feel supported, connected, and equipped to grow, rather than isolated or resource-constrained.
Most importantly, more people across our city have access to dignified work, supportive community, and the opportunity to build lasting momentum.
When employment social enterprises thrive, they don’t just change individual lives, they help shape a healthier, more inclusive future for Denver itself.
ESE’S create access to employment.
A good job is essential for sustaining a healthy and happy life. Meaningful work creates connection, offers purpose and provides the resources necessary to live a whole life.
The Denver Collective
Denver is home to a vibrant and growing network of employment social enterprises. The Denver ESE Collective exists to connect, support, and elevate this ecosystem, helping organizations grow stronger and expanding access to employment opportunities across the region.