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

Research Insights on Worker-Centered Strategies, Inclusive Systems, and Future Workforce Trends (Pt. 2)

  Two weeks ago we highlighted six of the research posters that were shared at our Further Together conference. This week, we’re highlighting the final six posters. Take some time to review these research posters and if you’re so inspired, reach out to the researchers and presenters to learn more! 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

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

Championing Workforce Inclusion: Investing in Opportunities for Workers and Learners with Disabilities

In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month this October, Workforce Matters asked two of our members, Elaine Katz from the Kessler Foundation and Tuquan Harrison from the James Irvine Foundation, to briefly share about their work to invest in and advance opportunities for workers and learners with disabilities.  People Read more

By Workforce Matters, ago

Celebrating Workforce Development Month

As a philanthropy-serving organization uniquely focused on workforce development through our support of workforce grantmakers, Workforce Matters cares deeply about the field of workforce development, workers, learners, and all those who work daily to find innovative solutions to workforce challenges. We envision a workforce development field where funders work effectively with all 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.