Join Our Network

About Us

Workforce Matters is a national network of grantmakers that draws on expert and practitioner knowledge and works together to strengthen workforce development philanthropy such that it empowers workers, learners, and job seekers to realize their full potential; dismantle inequities based on race, gender, ability, and other individual characteristics; and advances equitable education and employment outcomes for youth and adults.

Membership

Workforce Matters offers three types of membership: Field Partners, Basic Members and Supporting Members.

Learn more about eligibility, benefits, and how to sign up below!

Field Partner (free) Basic Member (free) Supporting Member (paid)

Field Partner (free)

Eligibility

Field partners include staff of nonprofits or government agencies, consultants, policy/advocacy makers, or anyone who is interested in learning about workforce development trends and innovation

Benefits

Bi-weekly newsletters

Participate in selected learning opportunities free of charge

Sign up to join as a Field Partner

Basic Member (free)

Eligibility

Staff, philanthropic advisor or consultant to a private, independent, family, or corporate foundation; a corporate giving program; a community foundation or other grantmaking public charity; a funder collaborative; a giving circle; or a United Way

Benefits

Be a part of the only national network of workforce funders
Bi-weekly newsletters
Informational Webinars
Learning Labs at basic member rate
Site Visits at basic member rate
Member Networking events including conference
Participate in Working Groups

Sign up to join as a Basic Member

Supporting Member (paid)

Eligibility

Institutional foundations or other philanthropic organizations that give at least $25,000 annually to workforce development programs and efforts.

Eligible philanthropic organizations include: private, independent, family, or corporate foundation; a corporate giving program; a community foundation or other grantmaking public charity; a funder collaborative; a giving circle; or a United Way

Benefits

Be a part of the only national network of workforce funders
Bi-weekly newsletters
Informational Webinars
Free access to Learning Labs
Discounted rate for Site visits
Participate in Working Groups
Member Networking events and conference with priority registration at free or discounted rate
Free access to Candid’s Foundation Maps
Leadership Opportunities (write a guest blog, event speaker, join the steering committee)
Recognition in WFM external communications
Member Directory
Access to resources
Unlimited number of staff have access to membership

Sign up to be a Supporting Member

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can participate in Workforce Matters programming?

Unless otherwise noted, to allow for candid discussions and open information sharing, many of our events and learning opportunities are reserved for workforce grantmakers who work for a qualifying philanthropy:

Private, Independent, and Family Foundations
Corporate Foundations and Corporate Responsibility/Giving Programs
Community Foundations
Health Conversion Foundations
Public Charities whose primary activity is grantmaking
Operating Foundations whose primary activity is grantmaking
Venture Philanthropy
Donor Advised Funds
Funder Collaboratives or Networks
Pooled Funds where some joint decision-making by donors is offered
United Ways that serve the community as a grantmaker

Consultants or advisors who are currently contracted by a qualifying philanthropy, may qualify to participate as a representative of that institution.

The following do not qualify but can sign up for our newsletter or public programs.

Fundraising or development staff. Eligible participants must oversee or manage an organization’s giving programs.
Staff from institutions whose primary function is not philanthropic, including those that regrant funds.
Staff from grantmaking institutions that only make grants to their members or affiliates.

If you have questions about whether you can participate in our programming, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

How can I get involved?

The best way to get involved with Workforce Matters is to subscribe to our newsletter so you will be notified of upcoming learning and networking opportunities. We also regularly update our Events Calendar on the website!

Our programming varies from month-to-month, but typically includes offerings such as:

Informational webinars
Funder-to-funder discussions
LearningLabs and other communities of practice
Learning tours
Member networking events

We also share content about best practices, innovative approaches, and new research through our bi-monthly newsletter, blog, video archive, and original publications.

Have an idea for a learning or networking discussion or a blog post? Please let us know!

Please click here if you’d like to share an announcement via the Workforce Matters newsletter.

How can I become a Supporting Member?

Supporting Member Organizations provide financial support for Workforce Matters. Recommended giving levels are sliding-scale based on member organizations’ annual grantmaking:

Supporting Membership Rates - Approved May 2025

Annual Total Grantmaking	2025 Membership Dues	2026 Membership Dues
Under 2M	$1,500	$1,650
2M - 5M	$3,000	$3,300
5M - 10M	$5,000	$5,500
10M - 15M	$10,000	$11,000
15M- 25M	$20,000	$22,000
25M+	$25,000+	$27,500+

Meet our Supporting Members.

Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a Supporting Member.

How are members of the Workforce Matters Steering Committee selected?

The Workforce Matters Steering Committee provides oversight for and establishes the priorities and strategic direction of the Workforce Matters network. To be eligible to serve on our Steering Committee, you must be a qualifying grantmaker and work for a Supporting Member organization. Nominations (and self-nominations) for new members are accepted October-November of each calendar year. New members are elected by representatives of our Supporting Member organizations. Steering Committee members serve two-year terms, from January-December. Meet our Steering Committee.