Workforce Matters brings funders together to learn, connect, and collaborate in pursuit of a more equitable workforce development field. Our mission, vision, and values guide how we support our members, partner with the field, and turn shared priorities into collective action.
Our Mission and Vision
Mission
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; dismantles inequities based on race, gender, ability, and other individual characteristics; and advances equitable education and employment outcomes for youth and adults.
Vision
We envision a workforce development field where funders work effectively with all workforce ecosystem stakeholders to amplify worker and learner agency and advance race-conscious and equitable workforce programs and practices, workforce policy, and employer practices in order to close disparities and improve outcomes for every worker in support of a vibrant economy.
What We Value
- Equity – Workforce Matters seeks to further equity in all facets of our network, including in our leadership, strategies, and goals, such that we promote programs and policies that improve educational and employment outcomes and close disparities for youth and adults, with special attention to groups impacted by policies, practices, and narratives that act as barriers to advancement.
- Collaboration – Workforce Matters works collaboratively with its members, field partners, and other networks and leaders to advance equitable access to quality education, training and employment.
- Learning – Workforce Matters is committed to creating a space where our members can thoughtfully test ideas, be honest about failures, hear from experts, practitioners, and voices of people with lived experience, embrace learning, and integrate new ideas as part of a continuous growth process.
How We Put Our Values Into Action
- We connect – We build relationships among national, regional, and community funders representing a range of organizations, geographies, perspectives, and experiences.
- We learn – We create opportunities for members to explore emerging workforce research, policy, and practice, particularly approaches that reduce disparities and advance equity.
- We collaborate – We help funders identify shared priorities, develop collaborative approaches to grantmaking, and extend the impact of their individual efforts.
- We amplify – We partner with practitioners, field leaders, affinity groups, and people with lived experience to elevate expertise, respond to the field’s needs, and help shape stronger philanthropic practice.
Our Work in Action
Our mission and values come to life through a growing community of funders who exchange knowledge, build relationships, invest together, and respond to what the workforce field needs most.
Our membership network includes:
- 32 supporting members
- 411 organizational grantmaking members
- 1,085 individual grantmaking members
See Workforce Matters’ 2025 year in review below:
