At Kitchen of Purpose in Arlington, Virginia, food is more than nourishment—it’s a pathway to opportunity. Every year, the nonprofit trains dozens of students for careers in the culinary industry and helps aspiring entrepreneurs launch catering businesses and restaurants. Through its food assistance program, it also delivers thousands of healthy meals to individuals and families who need them most.

In 2019, the organization found a rare opportunity: a 5,000-square-foot space with room for two industrial kitchens, classrooms, offices, and a café. It had everything needed to grow their programs and serve more people. But turning that raw space into a fully equipped training center required significant investment—and traditional financing wasn’t designed for a nonprofit blending workforce development with social impact.

RDF saw the potential and stepped in with a key piece of financing that helped bring Kitchen of Purpose’s new home to life.

Then, just months after construction began, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Catering orders disappeared, the café closed, and revenue dried up. What should have been a period of growth quickly became a fight for survival. Donations slowed, and by the end of the first year, the organization was in a deep financial hole. Year two was spent trying to regain stability. By the time a new CEO came on board in 2023, Kitchen of Purpose was facing a $1 million deficit.

With a plan in place to cut expenses and balance the budget, leadership sought a bridge loan to weather the toughest months. Once again, banks said no.

But RDF took a different approach. We understood the progress the organization had made and the strength of its vision. Instead of walking away, we worked with them—adjusting the terms of the original loan to allow interest-only payments for six months.

“RDF took the time to listen,” said Kitchen of Purpose CEO Brian MacNair. “They gave us the breathing room we needed to focus on our mission.”

That mission continues today: training 70 to 80 culinary students each year in everything from emulsions to butchering poultry and seafood—preparing them for jobs in restaurants, hotels, and cafeterias. Their food lab supports entrepreneurs ready to launch their own food ventures. And their food assistance program has delivered more than 20,000 healthy meals to neighbors in need.

At Kitchen of Purpose, it’s never been just about cooking. It’s about equipping people with the tools to build a better life. With support from RDF, they have the space—and the stability—to keep making that happen.