Washington, D.C. (October 31, 2016) – The National Fund for Workforce Solutions has launched as an independent 501(c)(3) with an office in Washington D.C. and the guidance of exemplary business, philanthropic and workforce leaders. The National Fund was created in 2007, with support from the major national foundations and the U.S. Department of Labor, to strengthen and expand high-impact industry partnerships across the country. For almost a decade, Jobs for the Future incubated the National Fund and provided critical support to its development, growth, and success.

The National Fund’s expanded mission will be to drive practices, policies, and investments that enable workers to succeed in good jobs, provide employers with a skilled workforce, and build more prosperous communities. The organization will build upon its past successes working with more than 30 regional funder collaboratives and 85 active industry partnerships, which have generated $285 million in local investments, served more than 78,000 workers, and supported 2,300 employers.

These regional successes are the heart of the National Fund’s network and mission, with major accomplishments including:

• Raising public and business support for high-quality training and education for job seekers and workers;
• Improving workforce, business and education systems by organizing employers, aligning educational curriculum with high-demand skills, and designing industry-responsive career-centers;
• Elevating private and public attention around workforce, labor, poverty and prosperity issues;
• Designing career pathways in high-growth industries and serving target populations including young adults and the formerly incarcerated.

“We are excited to start this next chapter as an independent organization,” said Fred Dedrick, President and CEO, National Fund for Workforce Solutions. “As a network of 32 communities and hundreds of business, philanthropic and workforce leaders we look forward to building upon our accomplishments and making the case that good jobs are essential to a region’s inclusive prosperity and economic success.”

To learn more about the new National Fund, visit:  http://www.nationalfund.org/.

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About National Fund for Workforce Solutions

The National Fund for Workforce Solutions is a national network promoting economic opportunity and prosperous communities through investment and innovation.  Based in Washington D.C., the National Fund partners with philanthropy, employers, workers, public and private community organizations, and more than 30 regional collaboratives to invest in skills, improve systems, and generate good jobs. The National Fund supports civic and business leaders in promoting evidence-based practices and policies that build shared prosperity. Learn more about the National Fund and its local partners at www.NationalFund.org.