Mission

Established in 1992, Economic Opportunity Funders (EOF), is a network of national, state, 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.

Members

More than 350 funders representing almost 200 foundations participate in EOF.

Our network is free to join and much of our programming is made available at no cost.

Learn more about joining the EOF network.

Focus Areas

Poverty and Opportunity

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

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 and affect the lives of all Americans.

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

CONVENE

EOF brings funders together through in-person meetings and webinars 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 keeps informed of areas of interest and giving among members and make connections among funders pursuing similar objectives or working in similar regions through outreach and mapping efforts.

CATALYZE

EOF supports the coordination and alignment of investments through funder networks and pooled funds.

COLLABORATE

EOF regularly partners with other funder affinity groups on programming to highlight the intersectionality of our work, improve our reach, impact, and effectiveness and to reduce duplication of efforts.

How We Work

Meetings & Webinars

EOF hosts an Annual Budget and Tax Briefing to provide funders with a solid understanding of budget and tax policy within our current political and economic climate. Additional programs are scheduled to address emerging topics of interest.

View EOF Events

Pooled Funds

EOF provides a table around which multiple funders can align support for key ideas and grantees. EOF, together with the Tax Equity Funders Network, administers the EITC Pooled Fund to help build support for the creation and expansion of federal and state tax credits.

Law & Social Policy Legacy Award

Launched in 2021, the Law & Social Policy Legacy Award recognizes organizations defending and advocating for low-wage workers’ rights. A $10,000 award will be given by EOF with support from the Public Welfare Foundation annually until 2030 as a part of their legacy investment into the Workers’ Rights field.

Funder Networks

Time-limited working groups offer funders the opportunity for information sharing and learning as well as the coordination and alignment of investments among identified areas of interest.

View EOF Funder Networks

Partnerships

EOF regularly collaborates with other funder networks to lift up the intersectionality across our work. This includes sharing information about partner events or co-sponsoring activities on topics of mutual interest.

Outreach + Connection Making

EOF staff keep informed of areas of interest and giving among members and make connections among funders pursuing similar objectives or working in similar regions.

Publications

View recent EOF reports and publications below. Visit our Publications Page to see a full list of EOF publications.

Blue background with white text Economic Opportunity Funders 2023 Annual Report and light blue swirl favicon

EOF 2023 Annual Report

January 24, 2024

Read about our activities and accomplishments in our 2023 annual report.

2023 Fall Funder Series: A vision for economic democracy.

Building Worker and Community Power for an Equitable Economy

December 13, 2023

During this Q&A, a panel of experts share insights on innovative solutions being implemented across the country to counter decades of declining power and engagement among workers and citizens.

Rightsizing Corporate Power for an Equitable Economy

December 4, 2023

During this Q&A, a panel of experts discuss how consolidation in corporate power impacts our everyday lives and examine a range of promising interventions that can help foster a private sector that works in tandem with a thriving public sector to serve the public good.

The Role of Public Options in an Equitable Economy

November 14, 2023

During this Q&A, a panel of experts shared their insights on efforts to expand and reframe how we define public options and ensure that those goods and services are community-owned and accountable.

A Snapshot of the Care Narrative Change Landscape

October 26, 2023

Read our new report and view a searchable table of organizations supporting narrative change strategies and tactics.

Economic Democracy: A Framework for a More Equitable Future

September 25, 2023

This brief aims to provide a shared understanding of the framework of economic democracy and act as a foundation for further conversation.

About EOF

Mission

Members