Exploring opportunities to drive private and philanthropic investment in the U.S. care economy in ways that build and grow the power of care workers.

COVID-19 has made it clear that the U.S. economy is not designed to support caregivers or providers. Thousands of care providers nationwide shuttered their operations through the crisis, with parents and other caregivers struggling to stay in the workforce given a rise in care demand. Today, care workers – over 90% of whom are women (and majority women of color) – too often contend with informal, insecure, or underpaid working conditions. 

The need and opportunity to invest in gender equity is greater than ever. Powerful community activists and pathbreaking funders are already leading the way, breaking down barriers and investing boldly to transform patriarchy. The Generation Equality Forum this year marked a global call to action and a pivotal moment for feminist movements around the world.  

 As feminist funders, there are unique and ground-breaking opportunities to drive private and philanthropic investment in the U.S. care economy in ways that build and grow the power of care workers. Efforts to reform and support the care economy are thus underway, with multiple calls for private, philanthropic, and public investment in care. The session will curate perspectives from a diverse, accomplished team of experts working to (i) advance worker power in the care economy as well as analogous sectors, as well as (ii) those seeking to attract additional investment from public, private, and philanthropic sources into the care economy to strengthen the power of the workforce.