member insights

What We Learned Together: Insights from a Year of Peer Learning at Workforce Matters

Reflecting on Our 2025 Peer Learning Strategy Series Throughout 2025, Workforce Matters hosted a four-part Peer Learning Strategy Series designed to help funders navigate emerging challenges and opportunities across the workforce development landscape. Each session brought together experts, funders, and practitioners to share insights, exchange strategies, and spark collaboration. Here’s Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Research Insights on Worker-Centered Strategies, Inclusive Systems, and Future Workforce Trends (Pt. 1)

At our Further Together conference last month, we hosted our second research reception highlighting new, innovative or impactful research about education and workforce development.  Twelve different workforce-oriented research projects were selected to participate in this year’s research reception, all organized around the conference’s primary themes:  Advancing Worker-Centered Workforce Development Programming Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Supporting Member Highlight: Holloway Family Foundation

Attributed to: Jenny LaForest, Executive Director, Holloway Family Foundation About Holloway Family Foundation   Jenny LaForest, Executive Director, Holloway Family Foundation The Holloway Family Foundation is a lean-staffed private foundation based in Colleyville, Texas. Its three focus areas include workforce development, youth mentorship, and creative expression for children from under resourced Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Supporting Member Highlight: Fairfield County’s Community Foundation

Attributed to: Liz Hoagland, Senior Director, Education and Workforce Development, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation About Fairfield County’s Community Foundation   Liz Hoagland, Senior Director, Education and Workforce Development, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation Fairfield County’s Community Foundation works closely with local organizations, nonprofits, businesses, government, and philanthropists to address challenges and Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Supporting Member Highlight: The Allstate Foundation

-Attributed to: Monique Tinglin, Manager, The Allstate Foundation Social Impact & Strategic Programs About The Allstate Foundation Monique Tinglin, Manager, The Allstate Foundation Social Impact & Strategic Programs The Allstate Foundation works to help communities thrive. Our focus areas are empowering youth through service, disrupting the cycle of relationship abuse, Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Field Partner Survey Feedback: You spoke and we listened!

This spring, Workforce Matters partnered with Listen4Good to launch our second survey of field partners, including Fund for Workforce Equity applicants and grantees, in order to collect and respond to field partner feedback.  Who responded We received complete surveys from 118 individuals representing a range of community-based organizations, community colleges, Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Supporting Member Highlight: Ascendium Education Group

About Ascendium Ascendium Education Group’s philanthropy is grounded in our commitment to ensuring all learners have a path to upward mobility, and the recognition that good jobs increasingly require some kind of postsecondary education or specialized workforce training. As a national funder, our investments aim to transform postsecondary education and 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