Our Work

EOF (formerly known as GIST) serves as a forum for gathering and sharing information about effective grantmaking strategies and the work of grantees, supports efforts to address urgent needs in a coordinated and strategic fashion, and makes connections among funders pursuing similar objectives or working in similar regions.

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

EOF holds two in-person meetings a year, including an Annual Budget and Tax Briefing. Meetings include a mix of presentations and discussions with leading national thinkers, practitioners, and advocates as well as funder updates and strategy sessions.

Webinars

Virtual meetings are scheduled as needed to raise awareness of emerging issues and enhance connection and information sharing among members between in-person events.

Mapping

Since 2011, EOF has been engaged in geographic mapping efforts to help illustrate to funders where investments are being made in policy, advocacy and communications work in the states, and to help foster cross-funder dialog and collaboration.

Outreach

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.

Funder Networks

Private listservs and working groups offer members the opportunity for information sharing and learning as well as the coordination and alignment of investments among identified areas of interest.

Pooled Funds

EOF provides a table around which multiple funders can align support for key ideas and grantees. Sometimes these funds are pooled with EOF while other funders work collaboratively but deploy their own funds directly. EOF currently administers a pooled fund to increase public support for state EITCs.

Partnerships

EOF activities and events engage new funders as well as other funder affinity groups in poverty alleviation, economic opportunity, worker supports, and tax and budget issues and lifts the intersectionality across our work.

Publications

EITC Pooled Fund 2022 Year-In-Review

This year-end report provides an overview of the EITC Pooled Fund awards and lessons learned in 2022.

EOF 2022 Annual Report

Read about our activities and accomplishments in our 2022 annual report.

EITC Pooled Fund 2021 Year-in-Review

This year-end report provides an overview of the EITC Pooled Fund awards and lessons learned in 2021.

EOF 2021 Annual Report

Read about our activities and accomplishments in our 2021 annual report.

Why Care About Care?

AFN and EOF have released a brief, webinar and video designed to deepen funder’s understanding of the intersectional/intergenerational issues related to the care economy and lift up key public policies while providing innovative strategies and opportunities for greater funder collaboration to build an equitable care infrastructure.

EOF 2020 Annual Report

Read about our activities and accomplishments in our 2020 annual report.

State EITC Campaign Fund 2019 Year-in-Review

Read about work accomplished and lessons learned in the 2019 EITC Campaign Fund Year-in-Review report!

State EITC Rapid Response Fund 2019 Year-in-Review

Read about work accomplished and lessons learned in the 2019 EITC Rapid Response Fund Year-in-Review report!

EOF 2019 Annual Report

Read about our activities and accomplishments in our 2019 annual report.

EOF 2018 Annual Report

Read about our 2018 activities and accomplishments in our annual report.

State EITC Campaign Fund 2018 Year-in-Review

2018 EITC Campaign Fund annual summary and lessons learned.

EITC Rapid Response Fund 2018 Year-in-Review

Read about work accomplished and lessons learned in the 2018 EITC Rapid Response Fund Year-in-Review report!

2017 Annual Report

Read about our 2017 activities and accomplishments in our annual report and executive summary.

What Can Philanthropy Do? Coming Together for Children in Immigrant Families in a Changing Policy Landscape

GCIR, EOF, and ECFC developed this series of recommendations for ways funders can address the specific and unique challenges faced by immigrant families. Suggested strategies include capacity building, policy advocacy, narrative and strategic communications, and research.