By Alexis Roberts, The Families and Workers Fund, October 5, 2021
Families and Workers Fund (FWF) today announced the launch of a five-year collaborative philanthropy dedicated to building a more equitable economy that uplifts all. Recognizing that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a once-in-a-generation opening to improve the lives of workers and their families, FWF will work to deploy funding and build partnerships to help repair and reimagine the systems that fuel economic security, opportunity and mobility. The Fund seeks to advance jobs that sustain and uplift people and also invest in the development of a more inclusive, effective public benefits system, with a focus on unemployment insurance. It will be co-chaired by Darren Walker, President, Ford Foundation and Eric Braverman, Chief Executive Officer, Schmidt Futures.
COVID-19 highlighted the struggles and inequities that have long plagued the United States. Prior to the pandemic, more than 40% of families could not afford the basics, from groceries to rent and child care. During the pandemic, layoffs fell hardest on those earning the least, with nearly half of the lowest-paid workers losing their jobs. Many have been locked out of the country’s recovery and prosperity, unable to access much-needed and deserved support to help their families weather a crisis. The social safety net and the economy can and should work for all people, especially those historically excluded from opportunity, including low-income communities, Black, indigenous, Latinx, other people of color (BIPOC), young people, immigrant families, women, caregivers, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ people.
“The pandemic exposed what we’ve known for too long: our economy isn’t working for working people,” said Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation. “But from one of the most painful, tragic chapters in American history, a watershed moment for recovery has emerged. We are proud to support the Families and Workers Fund, which is positioned to reimagine an equitable, worker-centered economy, with sustainable jobs and 21st century benefits as the engine.”
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