Established in 1992, Economic Opportunity Funders (EOF), is a network of national, regional, and local level funders working to advance economic equity and opportunity in the United States. We believe in building an economy that works for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, immigration status, education, income, religion, gender identity, disability or age. We support a strong public sector and policies that create a healthy, fair and just economy where opportunity and prosperity are broadly shared.
Following the strong interest generated at our March Ideas Showcase —and the significant implications of HR1 for benefits access—EOF is hosting a series of activities on public benefits transformation. Read our six-month Showcase updates and register for our Quick takes!
Join our new space for EOF members to share, learn, and strategize about state investments in the safety net, work supports, and revenue. Register for our first session on November 18!
Join us March 18-19, 2027 in Arlington VA to explore the federal budget and tax outlook, state and local responses to federal policy changes, and opportunities to strengthen public programs and advance economic equity. Registration and agenda details coming soon. For now, please save the date!
This country is built on the idea of opportunity for all, regardless of where you come from or what you look like. However, our economy is out of balance, with persistent income inequality across race and gender and more than 40 million people living in poverty and many more unable to afford the basics or care for their families. Too often systems and structures create barriers instead of opportunities and prevent people from fulfilling their potential, sharing in economic gains or fully contributing to our economy.
We need to protect and improve programs and policies that ensure all people have access to food, housing, education, employment, health care and other basic needs so they can move out of poverty and have a chance at a better future.
Work is a shared American value, central to individual well-being, sense of purpose, and ability to provide for loved ones. Millions of Americans, especially women and people of color, are working in jobs with low pay, unpredictable schedules, few if any benefits, and limited opportunities for advancement or growth.
Strong supports are needed in this rapidly changing economy to help create jobs, boost wages, modernize benefits, and ensure safe, healthy, and fair conditions at work.
Government services, structures and systems are an essential foundation for a healthy economy where opportunity and prosperity are broadly and equitably shared. Public budgets and the revenue systems that support them are some of the most important policy instruments of our government. They reflect our values and priorities through decisions on how to tax residents and businesses and spend these collective resources.
Supporting adequate public resources to meet the needs of struggling families, workers and communities is essential to ensure we build an economy that works for everyone.
EOF brings funders to deepen their understanding of the cross cutting issues of poverty and economic opportunity, support for low-wage workers, and adequate public resources.
EOF staff make connections among funders pursuing similar objectives or working in similar regions through strategic outreach efforts.
EOF supports the coordination and alignment of investments through funder networks and pooled funds.
EOF regularly partners with other philanthropy-infrastructure organizations to highlight the intersectionality of our work, improve our reach and impact, and reduce duplication of efforts.
Join us on October 26 for a timely discussion on how philanthropic investments can bolster safety nets and advance policy solutions that prioritize care in our communities.
Join us on November 4 for a funder strategy session and networking hour to exchange experiences and advice on funding unrestricted cash for parents.
Join us on November 18 for an informal EOF member discussion on election outcomes and implications for state grantmaking
Join us December 1 for a Quick Take on what the elections outcomes mean for public benefits and how the Benefit Futures Studio is identifying and supporting the leaders, ideas, and experiments needed to reimagine America’s benefits system.
Join us on December 3 for a 30-minute Quick Take on what the Public Benefits Innovation Fund is learning from two open calls that generated hundreds of proposals for novel uses of emerging technologies to address persistent challenges in public benefits delivery.
Voluntary grants and dues help finance meetings, events, and staff support. We are grateful for the generous support of our Supporting Members!
