“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.”
“Engaging with the EOF network allows us to connect with diverse policy communities beyond worker rights, bringing new voices and perspectives into the policy process.”
“New Economy Initiative is an ecosystem of support so anyone with an entrepreneurial dream can pursue it, despite not having access to family or generational wealth.”
“I have the privilege of serving on the EOF Steering Committee and have attended EOF’s Annual Budget and Tax Briefing for the last two decades. What I have learned through EOF has prepared me and my organization for this moment, as the CARE Fund supports the care movement to fight for a tax system where everyone pays their fair share and where spending meets the needs of families and communities. Whether we are focused on care, housing, children, jobs or democracy – this discussion is crucial if we want to build an economy that works for all.”
“EOF is helpful because I learn about new work, and it strengthens my understanding of what is on the horizon. For example, at the most recent budget and tax meeting, we talked a lot about the 2025 tax debates. This will be an opportunity to change our Nation’s tax code to put more money in the pockets of families with low incomes.”
“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.”
“Because our work focuses on DC and the Metro area, I don’t always know what’s happening outside of the region. Listening to the experts at EOF is so helpful. We get clearer about what’s coming down the pike, what we need to think about, and how things implemented in other areas might work here. It helps to improve our processes.”
“Whenever I participate, I always come away with new insights on how to approach my work. Everything EOF does is well thought out and intentional about helping philanthropic professionals think about issues in new, different, and practical ways, through the lens of experience and other experts. It always feels productive.”
“There’s so much learning that happens by engaging in EOF. Hearing about exciting innovations in states and communities, opportunities to leverage impact, how it might relate to our work, and having surprising conversations with people sparks unexpected ideas. They are meetings I always look forward to.”
“EOF gives an opportunity to see where you might be re-inventing the wheel. A place for exploring how people are working in different and aligned ways that you didn’t know about. It gives access to learning and sharing, to community, and empathy for the challenges we all face.”
“EOF connects us to each other and to the broader national conversation. It helps us understand what’s happening in federal policy. It’s a source of learning, awareness-building, and opportunities to collaborate. Being part of networks like these helps us add our voice and connect to broader efforts and bring the lessons and experiences in Chicago into those conversations.”
“The EOF network has been invaluable to me as someone new to philanthropy. EOF is a great place to learn from other funders and get a sense of the philanthropic landscape. It’s been a source of inspiration and connection for me.”
“EOF is a tool for addressing challenges across philanthropy. It’s a force multiplier. It provides a space for collaborating and aligning with other funders. It leverages impact.”
“We’re a health funder. At EOF, we benefit from the exposure to, and understanding of, economic issues, and ways of moving forward on an economic front. Being a member helps us push forward on our thinking and understanding and helps us to figure out how we can be additive to this work. The thought partnership makes us all better. It helps us advance our shared strategies in really positive ways.”
“EOF helps us stay abreast of economic issues, so it’s the value of all the information shared—from state, local and federal policies, to finding out what peers working at different levels are doing, to the national trends and ideas we can adapt for our region. It’s all integral to the daily lives of communities of color and to the vision and mission of the foundation.”
“Being part of a broad network like EOF allows our team to learn as funders and collaborate with other partners. It gives us opportunities to be thought partners in advancing this important work to create an economy that works for all.”
“Being a place-based funder, EOF brings a national perspective to my work. It broadens my aperture of what’s trending—those macro issues that impact Philadelphia. It helps me be more thoughtful and connects me with smart organizations funding transformative work.”
“I am grateful to have the EOF community. It’s where I get a sense of what other funders are doing and who operates in my world.”
“EOF helps me network and get a clearer sense of what’s happening nationally. It provides access to information about how other funders are responding to this moment in history and what our national landscape looks like.”
“Through EOF, I get to keep up-to-date and to see how funders are responding. It really is very valuable.”
“EOF has been an incredibly valuable network to be a part of. EOF is responsive to what’s happening in the moment—it’s topical and relevant and provides a rich forum for meeting and working with colleagues in the field.”
“EOF is a roll up your sleeves and make something happen space. It’s the funder place where I get to wonk out on tax code and safety net issues. It gives me the platform and head space to bridge policy and movement building.”
As a program director relatively new to philanthropy, being involved in EOF briefings, webinars, and virtual working groups has been invaluable to my learning process about policy issues and philanthropic approaches being implemented in other communities across the country.
“EOF is a genuinely safe space. A space for candid conversations among peers and for honing skills. Through it, we have access to the most current research and analysis and the opportunity for dialogue, learning and camaraderie.”
Many organizations provide information about federal, state, and local policies and programs. Economic Opportunity Funders provides a unique forum for philanthropy to better understand its critical role in informing these policies, stimulating innovation, and undertaking research and evaluation to support the populations and issues we care about.
Impressive – both the range of activities and the clarity of the reporting. Might be a good benchmark for ‘best practices’ in affinity groups. I especially applaud their efforts to work collaboratively with other philanthropy networks and organizations.
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