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…

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.

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…