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Workforce Development in Native Nations and Communities: Closing Philanthropy’s Knowledge and Action Gap

At this spring’s “Further Together” conference, Workforce Matters held a lunch plenary session titled “Supporting Self-Determination & Workforce Development in Native Nations and Indian Country.”  Moderated by Natasha Hale (Navajo), the panel featured Native workforce development practitioners Kelly Drummer (Oglala Lakota), President, MIGIZI Communications, Ryan Howard (Bishop Paiute), Executive Director, Read more…

By Workforce Matters, ago

Learnings from Further Together: Disability Justice in the Workplace – Empowering Voices, Advancing Inclusion

In this week’s post from Further Together, we’re sharing takeaways and resources from our breakout session on “Disability Justice in the Workplace – Empowering Voices, Advancing Inclusion.” The session featured panelists Kevin Webb of Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation and Luticha Andre Doucette of Catalyst Consulting Associates, with moderator Elaine Katz Read more…

By Workforce Matters, ago

Learnings from Further Together: New Opportunities to Advance Equity in Apprenticeship

The week of May 5-11, 2024 is  National Youth Apprenticeship Week, during which public and private sector partners across the country recognize and highlight the benefits and value of Registered Apprenticeship program opportunities for youth ages 16–24.  We thought it a fitting time to share some takeaways and resources from Read more…

By Workforce Matters, ago

Learnings from Further Together: Advancing Fair & Second Chance Hiring Initiatives

Panelists pictured left to right: Dr. Lauren N. King (W.K.Kellogg Foundation), Tina Gagliano Mandell (Discover Financial Services), Dr. Lucretia Murphy (Jobs for the Future), Steph Dolan (Corporate Coalition), Alyssa Berman Cutler (University of Chicago), Matthew Bruce (Chicagoland Workforce Funders Alliance) In April 2008, Congress passed the Second Chance Act[1], the Read more…

By Workforce Matters, ago
Cover image of the report - Supporting Native Workforce Development - A Guide for Funders

New Resource: Supporting Native Workforce Development – A Guide for Funders

Workforce Matters is excited to announce our newest resource – “Supporting Native Workforce Development – A Guide for Funders.” Developed with the support of our Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations and Communities initiative and advisory committee, the guide helps funders understand how they can: Learn more and download the guide.

By Workforce Matters, ago

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…

By Workforce Matters, ago

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…

By Workforce Matters, ago

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…

By Workforce Matters, ago

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…

By Workforce Matters, ago

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…

By Workforce Matters, ago