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.
Economic Opportunity Funders and the Tax Equity Funders Network hosted the 2026 Budget and Tax Briefing on March 26-27, 2026, in Arlington, VA. Recaps + Resources now available!
Join us for 50-minute, interactive Zoom discussions from May-October to workshop challenges and align efforts. These sessions are member-led and unrecorded to ensure an honest, private space for exchange.
We are thrilled to announce the Workers Defense Project as the 2026 recipient of our Law & Social Policy Legacy Award.
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 July 8 for a hands-on workshop for funders — featuring live demos, guided practice, and structured reflection — on how to integrate AI into your real workflows with clarity, judgment, and intention.
Join us August 12 to learn how human-centered design is transforming public benefits access, featuring insights from The Kresge Foundation and Civilla.
Voluntary grants and dues help finance meetings, events, and staff support. We are grateful for the generous support of our Supporting Members!
