Workforce Matters Program Areas, Affinity Groups, and Funder-to-Funder Conversations

Based on member feedback on interest and priorities, Workforce Matters convenes a number of affinity groups and funder-to-funder conversations that explore various topics throughout the year. Read more about our current efforts below and how to sign up to participate or receive more information. If you have an idea for an affinity group or funder-to-funder conversation, please email us! Please note that unless otherwise specified, participation in affinity groups and funder-to-funder conversations is reserved for workforce grantmakers who work for a qualifying philanthropy.

Advancing Equitable Career Pathways *NEW*

Join us as we launch this new affinity group of funders looking to participate in learning and peer exchange around advancing equity through career pathways investments with a particular emphasis on connecting to employment and advancement opportunities and exploring occupational segregation.

Community Colleges

Do you invest at the intersection of community colleges and workforce development? Connect with peers to exchange strategies, investments, and lessons learned. Sign up to learn more about this group and be notified of future opportunities to get involved.

Corporate Funders 

Connect with peers in corporate grantmaking roles that invest in workforce development. Network, share ideas, and build relationships. Sign up to learn more about this group and be notified of future opportunities to get involved.

Equitable Workforce Grantmaking Practices *NEW*

Workforce Matters released the Racial Equity Framework for Workforce Development in 2021. Join a peer conversation and planning process to uncover what’s changed, what hasn’t, and where we can continue to push ourselves to implement more equitable grantmaking practices.

Workforce Development for the Care Economy *NEW*

Learn about Native-led workforce development initiatives and priorities, connect with other funders that are investing in these efforts, and increase your support for this work.

Workforce Grantmaking in Native Nations and Communities

Learn about Native-led workforce development initiatives and priorities, connect with other funders that are investing in these efforts, and increase your support for this work. Learn more about this work here.

Workforce Policy

Workforce Matters convenes a quarterly conversation to connect workforce grantmakers with policymakers, experts, and/or advocates who are involved in matters of workforce policy. Sign up to learn more about these conversations and be notified of future opportunities to get involved.

Worker Rights and Workforce Development *NEW*

How are worker rights and workforce development connected? How can funders better support partnerships between worker centers, other worker rights organizations, and workforce development programs? Can these partnerships play a role in helping to ensure that current federal investments in job creation and industrial policy are more worker-centered? Join us for an exploration of these questions.