Past Events

Recap: Worker-Centered Strategies Affinity Group

Between May and August 2026, Workforce Matters convened funders from private philanthropy, regional foundations, and corporate philanthropy for the Worker-Centered Strategies Affinity Group – a four-session learning journey designed to explore the meaning of worker-centered strategies and what it could mean to support them more intentionally through our grantmaking, communications, Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Webinar Recap: Self-Determination and Innovation: Keys to Transformative Workforce Development in Native Communities

What does it mean to put self-determination and innovation into practice in workforce programs built by and for Native nations and communities? On June 30, Workforce Matters hosted the second webinar in our 2026 Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations and Communities (WGNNC) series, and asked practitioners whose organizations are doing Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Webinar Recap: Centering Tribal Sovereignty in Workforce Systems

What does it look like when Tribal Nations don’t just participate in workforce systems, but lead them? On April 28, Workforce Matters hosted a conversation through the Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations and Communities Initiative featuring two compelling examples from Indian Country where collective governance, data sovereignty, and strategic philanthropy Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Recap: Postsecondary + Workforce Funders Affinity Group Meeting #2

Central to philanthropy at the intersection of workforce development and postsecondary education, community colleges serve first-generation learners, adult workers seeking to upskill, and young people navigating the transition from high school to career. In the second meeting of Workforce Matters’ Postsecondary + Workforce Funders Affinity Group, we invited researchers John Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Economic Inclusion Funders Roundtable — Session One Recap

Improving access to high-quality jobs: lessons from Encuentro’s immigrant workforce model How do we improve immigrant workers’ access to quality jobs? The answer — according to workers themselves — is far more layered than workforce development programs and funders typically acknowledge. We had the opportunity to explore this question during Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Webinar Recap: What Philanthropy Needs to Know About Apprenticeship Right Now

Interest in apprenticeship is growing across the United States—from policymakers and employers to education leaders and workforce practitioners. Yet the country’s apprenticeship system remains far smaller than those in other advanced economies. Workforce Matters members and guests explored these challenges and opportunities on our March 5 webinar, “Apprenticeship: What Funders Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

2026 Skills Summit Reflections

On February 5-6, Workforce Matters co-directors and many of our Steering Committee members attended the National Skills Coalition’s annual Skills Summit. It was a good way to set the tone for our annual leadership retreat.  We are still reflecting on a few key themes that emerged over the course of Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Further Together Highlights | Building A Resilient Future: Aligning Climate Adaptation with Workforce Innovation

Building A Resilient Future: Aligning Climate Adaptation with Workforce Innovation During our Further Together conference this fall, we convened a powerhouse plenary conversation to discuss the intersection of climate adaptation and workforce development innovation. Moderated by Jenny LaForest of the Holloway Family Foundation, we heard from Saket Soni of Resilience Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Workforce 101: An Overview of Public Workforce System Funding and Infrastructure

Workforce Matters created and released Workforce 101 in May 2025. Developed by Nancy Snyder Consulting and delivered by Nancy Snyder and Katie Spiker of the National Skills Coalition, this webinar and slide deck provided a detailed overview of the publicly-funded workforce development system with insights specifically tailored toward philanthropic interests.  Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago