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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

Rewriting Who Belongs — Narrative, Disability, Youth, and the Role of Funders

Last October, Tameshia Bridges Mansfield, Keely Cat-Wells (Making Space), Tamiera “TC” Nash (Louisiana Opportunity Youth Alliance), and Tracy Van Slyke (Pop Culture Collaborative) joined Further Together for a powerful panel on narrative. Together, they explored how cultural stories shape how we see work, workers, and workforce systems—and how those stories Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Setting the Stage: Why Narrative Matters in Workforce Development

Last October at Further Together, one of the most thought-provoking conversations focused on something often invisible in workforce development, but deeply powerful: narrative. Moderated by Tameshia Bridges Mansfield, the panel featured Keely Cat-Wells (Making Space), Tamiera “TC” Nash (Louisiana Opportunity Youth Alliance), and Tracy Van Slyke (Pop Culture Collaborative). Together, Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Northern New Mexico Youth Fund: A Model for Youth-Led, Public-Philanthropic Collaboration

The Northern New Mexico Youth Fund is a new participatory, youth-led public-private partnership created by the Northern New Mexico Pathways to Opportunity Strategy Table to strengthen initiatives that support young people ages 13-29 in the region to thrive at school, work, and home.  As part of our effort to showcase Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Current Workforce Needs in Native Nations and Communities: Notes From the Field

Earlier this year, Workforce Matters fielded a feedback survey and hosted two listening sessions in partnership with the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). Over 100 individuals participated, including grant partners in our Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations and Communities initiative, Native-led nonprofits, Tribal programs, 477 programs, WIOA Section 166 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

Workforce development is about more than jobs and skills: A conversation with Narbada Chhetri

Earlier this year, Workforce Matters made a second round of investments through our Fund for Workforce Equity. In this round, we supported seven organizations working to engage workers and learners most impacted by racial, ethnic, and gender disparities in designing and implementing workforce development programs and policies.  In recognition of Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Investing in Fair Chance Hiring: Key Research Areas to Explore 

Authors: Matthew Bruce, Executive Director, Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance, and Steph Dolan, Program Director, Corporate Coalition of Chicago  What do Martha Stewart, Donald Trump and Robert Downey Jr. all have in common?   All have criminal records. While these individuals have gone on to varying degrees of fame and success, many Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Facing Federal Funding Uncertainty: Updates and Next Steps for Workforce Matters Members 

As our members are aware, the Trump Administration’s actions this week around federal funding assistance have caused no small amount of disruption and confusion across the country. A funding freeze communicated via a memo from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on January 27 had the potential to impact Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago