Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations and Communities Update

Our collective knowledge about the Indigenous peoples of the U.S. often remains veiled in mystery—a result of deliberate efforts of the colonial project to erase Native voices and narratives. We must continue to educate ourselves as we work toward building a more equitable and just society.  In Indian Country, workforce development Read more…

Recap: Community Colleges Webinar on Innovative Financing Strategies

On Thursday, September 21, 2023, Workforce Matters hosted our second virtual learning and discussion series on community colleges and workforce development. Featuring the New Jersey Pay it Forward Program, the conversation explored how innovative workforce financing – whether designed to provide last-dollar funding, or invested to stretch or amplify impact Read more…

Reflections on Workforce Development Month September 2023 

The recognition of Workforce Development Month began in 2005. Now, almost 20 years later, organizations across the field continue to recognize the contributions of the workforce development field to our economy and society at large.  As a philanthropy-serving organization uniquely focused on workforce development through our support of workforce grantmakers, Read more…

Recap: Affirmative Action Briefing and Discussion for Workforce Grantmakers

On August 28, 2023, Workforce Matters hosted a briefing for workforce grantmakers on the implications of the Supreme Court’s decisions in SFFA v. Harvard and SFFA v. UNC. Our conversation with Art Coleman, Managing Partner at EducationCounsel; Dr. Alex Camerdelle, Vice President at Atlanta Wealth Building Initiative; and Sally Chen, Read more…

Announcing Fall Peer Learning Strategy Sessions

We hear you! Workforce Matters members have told us they want more opportunities to learn from and with each other on various topics and strategies related to workforce grantmaking. So, this fall, we’ve redesigned our Learning Lab series to address this interest, and we’re excited to launch our new “Peer Read more…

The State of Economic Well-Being for Vulnerable Young People: Trending Challenges & Opportunities in Youth Employment & Workforce Development

On Thursday, July 20th the Youth Transition Funders Group (YFTG) held a webinar titled “The State of Economic Well-Being for Vulnerable Young People: Trending Challenges & Opportunities in Youth Employment & Workforce Development”. The second installment of a 3-part learning series, the insightful 90-minute webinar featured senior representatives from education, labor, research, Read more…

Statement on the Supreme Court’s Ruling on Affirmative Action

From Co-Directors Loh-Sze Leung and Clair Minson: The Supreme Court’s rulings that struck down race-based admissions at Harvard and at the University of North Carolina set back decades of progress toward greater diversity and inclusion in higher education.  Affirmative action programs and policies have long been a critical tool for Read more…

RECAP: Promoting Inclusion for People Disabilities in the Workforce Helps All Workers

On May 10, 2023, during Mental Health Awareness Month, Workforce Matters held a webinar with the Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) at the U.S. Department of Labor. The webinar featured Assistant Secretary Taryn M. Williams, Anupa Iyer Geevarghese, Chief of Staff, and Robert Trombley, Senior Advisor to the Assistant Read more…

Elevating the Youth Fields Workforce: A Conversation With Deborah Moroney and Ann Stone

In 2021, the Wallace Foundation partnered with the American Institutes for Research to launch the Youth Fields Workforce Study, which includes a national survey called the Power of Us Workforce Survey and case stories, to learn more about youth-serving professionals and volunteers.  In this Q&A, Deborah Moroney, a vice president Read more…