Our contribution deadline is rapidly approaching! Learn more about The Fund for Workforce Equity, let us know if you're interested in potentially contributing, and encourage your nonprofit partners to join our email list for further information on funding opportunities later this spring.
Apply Now: Workforce Matters Spring Learning Lab Starts April 7
This spring, Workforce Matters will launch a new peer-to-peer learning lab facilitated by Clair Watson Minson of Sandra Grace LLC. This four session series will provide space for grantmakers to learn about and apply the framework of targeted universalism to addressing structural inequities through workforce development. Participation in the lab will be paired with individual coaching sessions. Space is limited to 16 participants. Apply by March 18 to be considered.
Learning lab participation is reserved for workforce development grantmakers from qualifying philanthropies. Learn more.
New on our Blog: Ensuring Quality Learning Experiences in Workforce Development
In our latest Guest Post, Robin Boggs, Workforce Matters Steering Committee Member and Managing Director of US Corporate Citizenship at Accenture, and Tessa Forshaw of the Next Level Lab at Harvard University lift up the importance of ensuring quality learning experiences for workforce program participants and preview Next Level Lab's Distinguished Speaker Series, which provides an opportunity for funders to learn about emerging and urgent workforce development issues from scholars engaged in work related to cognitive science, neuroscience, the learning sciences, and innovative learning design and technology.
USDOL Quarterly Updates Call
Wednesday, March 23 1:30 pm ET
Interested in exploring how federal policies, programs, and funding opportunities are shaping the workforce development landscape? Join Workforce Matters for the next installment of our Quarterly Updates series. In our one-hour discussion with representatives of the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration, you'll learn more about federal workforce initiatives and have an opportunity to ask questions or share feedback.
This event is reserved for workforce development grantmakers from qualifying philanthropies. Learn more.
Office Hours
Looking for an intro to Workforce Matters? Join us for our monthly Office Hours, where you'll have an opportunity to share information about your interests, learn more about our programs, and connect with other workforce grantmakers who are also seeking out learning and partnership opportunities. Our next Office Hours will be Friday, March 11th at 12:00 pm eastern.
on our calendars
Community Colleges and CTE: Reengaging and Preparing Learners for the Post-Pandemic Economy
Feb 28 1:00 pm ET | New America’s Center on Education & Labor | Online
Practitioner Talks: A Conversation with Saru Jayaraman on Ending Subminimum Wages
March 2 3:30 pm ET | WorkRise | Online
Industry Certifications Landscape Study
Mar 3 1:00 pm ET | Workcred, the Corporation for a Skilled Workforce, and the Program on Skills, Credentials & Workforce Policy at George Washington University | Online
Learn More + Register
High-Quality Early Care and Education: Cost, Affordability, and Racial Equity
Mar 3 3:00 pm ET | Federal Reserve System | Online
Learn More + Register
Trust-Based Philanthropy in 4D Learning Series
Mar 3, Mar 31, and May 5 | 1:00 ET
The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project, in partnership with Environmental Grantmakers Association, Blue Sky Funders Forum, and Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders
Expanding the Evidence Base on Workforce Training for Economic Mobility
Mar 9 2:30 pm ET | WorkRise | Online
Building Capacity of CDFIs to Support Entrepreneurs of Color
Mar 10 9:30 am ET | Asset Funders Network | Online
Funder Briefing with Guests from the U. S. Department of Labor: Federal Grant Opportunities
Mar 14 12:00 pm ET | NFG's Funders for a Just Economy | Online
new information + resources
Report to the President: White House Task Force on Worker Organizing and Empowerment
The White House
Read the Report
Dim Job Outlook for People Released From Prison During Great Recession
US Census Bureau
Read the Analysis
U.S. Startups Create Jobs at Higher Rates, Older Large Firms Employ Most Workers
US Census Bureau
Read the Analysis
Characteristics and Well-Being of Adults with Nonstandard Work Arrangements
Urban Institute
Google Creates $100 Million Fund for Skills Training Program
The New York Times
Read the Article
In Medieval Europe, a Pandemic Changed Work Forever. Can It Happen Again?
The New York Times
Read the Article
Skills-Based Hiring Is on the Rise
Harvard Business Review
Read the Article
The Emerging Degree Reset
Burning Glass Institute
Read the Report
announcements
The WES Mariam Assefa Fund seeks a consultant to support their team in developing and launching a capacity-building program that provides additional funding to our current grantee and investee partners so they can advance their Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) priorities and fosters a community to share knowledge and resources, build capacity, and collectively drive lasting change in the U.S. Please direct any questions to Lauren Crain and Lei Ma at lcrain@wes.org and lma@wes.org. Proposals should be sent by end of day March 7, 2022.
View the RFP
WorkRise recently announced a new request for proposals (RFP) soliciting pilot projects that test and evaluate public- and private-sector interventions to strengthen economic security and mobility for low-wage workers in the US labor market.
Learn More
Connecticut’s effort to bolster statewide workforce initiatives recently received a major commitment by the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA), which awarded a total of $1M in grant funding at their January meeting. This is the third year, since 2019, that CHEFA has committed $1M in funding to
support workforce development through its statewide Targeted Grant Program.
Learn More
The United Way of Metropolitan Dallas is hiring a Director of Career Pathways who will oversee portfolio of Career Pathways grants and serve as site director for Pathways to Work, United Way’s signature career pathways program in partnership with the National Fund for Workforce Solutions and JPMorgan Chase.
Learn More
Nominate an outstanding worker justice leader for the 2022 Discount Foundation Legacy Award for a chance to receive a $20,000 stipend. Created in partnership with Jobs With Justice Education Fund and the Neighborhood Funders Group’s Funders for a Just Economy, the Discount Foundation Legacy Award was launched in 2015 to commemorate and carry on the legacy of the Foundation’s decades-long history of supporting leading edge organizing in the worker justice arena. Nominations are due online by March 7.
Learn More
save the date
Mark your calendars for these upcoming events sponsored by our workforce development and philanthropy colleagues:
2022 Annual Budget and Tax Briefing
April 6, 13, 20, and 27th | Economic Opportunity Funders
May 10-12 2022 | Houston, TX | Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees
June 7-8 2022 | New Orleans, LA | Jobs for the Future
June 14-16 2022 | Wilmington, NC | Neighborhood Funders Group
AFN Biennial National Conference 2022
September 13-15 2022 | Oakland, CA | Asset Funders Network
