Benefits Futures Studio Quick Take
Join us October 15 for a 30-minute Quick Take on how the Benefit Futures Studio is identifying and supporting the leaders, ideas, and experiments needed to reimagine America’s benefits system for the future.
Welcome to Economic Opportunity Funders (EOF)
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.
Public Benefits Transformation Series
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 three funder discussions!
State Investments Funder Strategy Exchange
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!
Law & Social Policy Legacy Award
Know an organization advancing low-wage workers’ rights through law and social policy? Nominate them for a $10,000 award! Nominations are due October 5, 2026.
Focus Areas
More than 450 funders representing 275 philanthropic institutions participate in EOF.
Poverty and Opportunity
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.
Protecting and Supporting Workers
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.
Tax and Budget Policies
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.
What We Do
Platform for funders to share information, exchange ideas and best practice, and collaborate around identified areas of interest.
Convene
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.
CONNECT
EOF staff make connections among funders pursuing similar objectives or working in similar regions through strategic outreach efforts.
CATALYZE
EOF supports the coordination and alignment of investments through funder networks and pooled funds.
COLLABORATE
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.
Upcoming Events
Public Benefits Innovation Fund Quick Take
Join us October 29 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.
EOF State Investments Funder Strategy Exchange Session I: Supporting State Government Transitions
Join us on November 18 for a post-election virtual exchange to share evolving strategies for state policy and advocacy investments, consider the implications of state government transitions, and identify opportunities for greater alignment.
EOF 2026 Funder Learning Series Session 5: Increasing Philanthropic Investment in Rural Prosperity Through Policy & Systems Change
Join us October 22 to learn about efforts strengthen the systems, organizations, and networks needed to advance meaningful change for rural communities.
Supporting Members
Voluntary grants and dues help finance meetings, events, and staff support. We are grateful for the generous support of our Supporting Members!
Join Us
Our network is free to join and much of our programming is made available at no cost. Join EOF and get connected!
- Participate in funder briefings and webinars.
- Share information, ideas, strategies and best practices.
- Collaborate with other funders on aligned areas of interest.
- Leverage philanthropic investments and advance effective grantmaking practices.
“Building relationships with funders outside of early childhood and health—the people I typically partner with—has been really rewarding. I learn so much from my peers and the convenings; it opens my aperture of how I think about the issues we care about.“
Dr. Katie BeckmannThe David and Lucile Packard Foundation 
"I have attended lots of EOF offerings – learning from organizations on the frontlines, connecting with funders that support partners’ work, and keeping me updated on issues. I have broadened my network and increased my knowledge. It has been great to explore and grapple with issues and challenges together and collaborate.”
Denise Castillo Dell IsolaIrving Harris Foundation 
"As someone who is newer in philanthropy, the EOF network and meetings have been a valuable space to broaden my understanding of economic equity – from a deeper dive into tax policy and the implications for economic equity to learning about other funders and their approaches to grantmaking related to economic equity. I always leave learning sessions and in-person meetings feeling more excited about the work and with a greater sense of community and understanding amongst my fellow funders."
Eesha BhaveCharles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies 
"Through EOF we have access to resources, a peer network interested in building economic opportunity, and all the collective wisdom. I’ve also appreciated the Funder Learning Series, which helps us evaluate opportunities through a variety of lenses. It’s a really comprehensive resource."
Roger PerezGitLab Foundation 