The Ford Foundation and W.K. Kellogg Foundation, both CMF members, in partnership with several other funders, recently announced the launch of the Families and Workers Fund.
The Ford Foundation and W.K. Kellogg Foundation, both CMF members, in partnership with several other funders, recently announced the launch of the Families and Workers Fund.
The fund is dedicated to serving the workers, families and communities most devastated by the economic and health crises resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The foundations shared that with an initial commitment of $7.1 million and a goal to raise $20 million, the fund will provide flexible funding to organizations working to prevent workers and families from sinking more deeply into poverty during the initial months of the pandemic and to support policy and advocacy efforts that center workers and families in long-term economic recovery.
The fund will:
Facilitate direct cash grants and loans to individuals, with a focus on those who are most likely to be left out of the government’s emergency policy response—especially workers and families who are reeling from layoffs, temporary business and school shutdowns and caretaking duties.
Advance economic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, designed with and for vulnerable workers, families and communities by providing grants to policy and advocacy organizations, worker groups, community nonprofits, and others advancing and implementing policies and business practices that stabilize working people during the acute phase of this crisis (e.g., paid sick days and unemployment insurance).
“Through this fund, we will address not only the immediate needs of workers and families during this crisis but we will support long-term policy change that puts them at the center of the economic response,” Sarita Gupta, director of the Ford Foundation’s Future of Work(ers) program said.
The foundations shared: “COVID-19 is highlighting the deep structural defects in our economy. Low-wage workers have long faced low pay, shrinking benefits, and limited on-the-job opportunity, yet this crisis emphasizes how critical their work is to our survival and the functioning of our society. This fund will support community nonprofits, frontline groups and worker organizations to help struggling workers understand and access benefits—especially new, emergency provisions organizations have long fought for.”
To date CMF has captured more than 30 urgent relief funds on our COVID-19 Resource Central webpage created by or in partnership with CMF members. Are you aware of a relief and response fund led by or supported by Michigan philanthropy not listed? If so, contact CMF.
Want more?
Learn more about the Families and Workers Fund.
