Reminder: Fund for Workforce Equity 2022 Contributions Deadline Approaching

Our 03/31 contribution deadline is rapidly approaching! Learn more about The Fund for Workforce Equitylet 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.
Contributors to date include: Annie E. Casey Foundation, Cognizant Foundation, Siemens Foundation, Solon E. Summerfield Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, WES Mariam Assefa Fund, and Supporting Members of Workforce Matters. Thank you for your support!

Spring 2022 Budget and Policy Programming

We have a full slate of learning opportunities scheduled for this spring!

2022 Budget and Tax Briefing Series

As in years past, we're pleased to be co-sponsoring the annual Budget and Tax Briefing Series organized by our colleagues at Economic Opportunity Funders:

Part One: Federal Policy, Budget, and Revenue Outlook

Wednesday, April 6th 3:00 pm ET
Featuring Robb Gray, Director of Policy-Advocacy at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation; Sharon Parrott, President, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities; and Taifa Smith Butler, President, Demos.
Part Two: State Policy, Budget, and Revenue Outlook:A Focus on the South

Wednesday, April 13th 3:00 pm ET
Featuring Ethan Frey, Program Officer, Civic Engagement & Government, Ford Foundation; John Simpkins, President, MDC; Robyn Hyden, Executive Director, Alabama Arise; and  Zelalem Adefris, Vice President of Policy & Advocacy, Catalyst Miami.

Learn More + Register

USDOL Quarterly Updates Call

THIS CALL HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED – NEW DATE PENDING

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.

Save the Date!
Spring 2022 Workforce Policy Update

Mark your calendars for our annual Workforce Policy Update call Tuesday, May 24th at 12:00 pm ET with representatives of Advance CTE, the Association of Community College Trustees, and the National Association of Workforce Boards. Stay tuned for additional information and a registration link.

These events are reserved for workforce development grantmakers from qualifying philanthropies. Learn more.

Register Now for Our April Funder-to-Funder Discussion on Community Colleges

Join Workforce Matters Tuesday, April 12th at 2:00 pm eastern for a peer-to-peer conversation among grantmakers investing in community colleges. During this one-hour, informal Zoom meeting, you'll have an opportunity to network with colleagues, ask questions, and exchange information about your work. We'll be joined by Jennifer Zeisler of the ECMC Foundation and Susan Dundon of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation, who will share insights from their grantmaking.

Register to Participate

This program is being offered in partnership with our colleagues at Grantmakers for Education.

This event is reserved for grantmakers from qualifying philanthropies. Learn more.

ICYMI: Youth Workforce Grantmaking Funder-to-Funder Discussion Recap

The events of the past two years have redoubled the urgency that many philanthropies and grantmakers already felt around our national failure to effectively and equitably meet the education and employment needs of the 40+ million Americans aged 14 to 24. In the latest post to our blog, Workforce Matters Co-Director Sarah Oldmixon shares some of the key themes and noteworthy take-aways from our February 24th conversation with grantmakers investing in youth workforce development.

Read the Blog Post

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, April 8th at 12:00 pm eastern.

Sign me up!

on our calendars 

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

Learn More + Register

Language Used in the Credentialing Space: Big Concepts, Many Terms, Multiple Perspectives, Different Voices

Mar 16 1:00 pm ET | Non-Degree Credentials Research Network | Online
Learn More + Register

Worker Power and the National Labor Relations Act

Mar 16 2:00 pm ET | Aspen Institute | Online
Learn More + Register

State of Our Workforce: March 2022

Mar 22 11:00 am ET | National Fund for Workforce Solutions | Online

Learn More + Register

Green Steel Deal: A Transformative Trade Policy for Our Economy & Environment

Mar 22 12:00 pm ET | Roosevelt Institute | Online
Learn More + Register

Overlooked: Foundation Support of AAPI & Native Communities Sorely Lacking

Mar 22 2:00 pm ET | Center for Effective Philanthropy | Online
Learn More + Register

Implementing the Digital Equity Act: What Workforce and Education Advocates Need to Know about Digital Inclusion

Mar 22 3:00 pm ET | National Skills Coalition | Online
Learn More + Register

2022 Network Strategy Session

Mar 28-30 | NFG's Funders for a Just Economy | Online
Learn More + Register

Policies that Support a Thriving Small Business Ecosystem 

Mar 29 1:00 pm ET | Asset Funders Network | Online
Learn More + Register

new information + resources 

Workforce Development’s Role in Building the Infrastructure Labor Force

Center for American Progress in Governing
Read the OpEd

A Look at the Impact of COVID-19 for People with Disabilities and Employment

Kessler Foundation + Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire
Read the Update

What Is the Gender Wage Gap in Your State?

US Census Bureau
Read the Blog Post

The Great Collide: Children’s Mental Health & the Workforce

On Our Sleeves
Read the Report

 

announcements 

Millions of professionals and volunteers work with young people every day, yet we have little information about these individuals. Part of a larger Youth Fields Study commissioned and funded by The Wallace FoundationThe Power of Us Workforce Survey seeks to know and understand this essential workforce. Through the survey, youth-serving professionals and volunteers can contribute to a national effort to explore, define, and elevate their profession.
Learn More

The Hawaii Community Foundation, Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Harold K.L. Castle Foundation and HMSA have launched the Hawaii Workforce Funders Collaborative and are seeking a full-time executive director.
Learn More

The Governor of Maine’s Energy Office is hiring a Clean Energy Partnership Program Manager. This position will provide program management of federal funds of more than $6.5 million, to support workforce development, business development and innovation in the clean energy industry in Maine.
Learn More

The US Department of Labor recently announced a grant program to strengthen, modernize, expand and diversify its Registered Apprenticeship Program to enable more workers to earn while they learn and find reliable pathways to the middle class. The "Apprenticeship Building America" program will make $113 million in grant funding available, including up to $50 million to support equity partnerships and pre-apprenticeship activities to increase enrollment in Registered Apprenticeship Programs.
Learn More

The Federal Transit Administration at the US Department of Transportation recently released two Notices of Funding Opportunities: $1.1B for the Low or No Emission Grant Program; and $372 million for the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program. This is the first set of dedicated funding for workforce development under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Transit agencies that are applying to transition to zero emission fleets can request up to 5% of the grant value to retrain their workers.
Learn More

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. Applications are due April 8th.

Save the Date!

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