Readout of White House Convenings of Philanthropies on Place-Based Economic Development, Workforce Development, and Career Pathways

On Tuesday, August 6, senior Biden-Harris Administration officials convened philanthropic organizations and stakeholders who are key collaborators in the Administration’s historic Investing in America agenda, which is mobilizing historic private sector investment across the country. National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard, Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden, Director of Policy for the First Lady Mala Adiga, Assistant Secretary of Education Amy Loyd, and Assistant Secretary of Labor José Javier Rodríguez discussed the importance of philanthropic organizations to advancing place-based programs in communities across the United States and unveiled the Administration’s seven priorities for expanding career pathways and high-quality job training programs.

The Biden-Harris Administration’s place-based economic agenda is supporting economic comebacks in communities too often left out of economic opportunities. For example, a recent piece from the Brookings Institution finds the Recompete Pilot Program may jump-start economic renewal in the Rust Bult and rural regions. Senior Administration officials and philanthropic organizations to discussed ways to support communities that stand to benefit from the Biden-Harris economic agenda. Panelists discussed flagship place-based economic development policies, the impact on hardworking families across distressed areas, and the role philanthropy can play in advancing the initial progress made. For example, under the Administration’s Rural Partners Network program, four public-private partnerships were announced at the event with the TLL Temple Foundation, Winthrop-Rockefeller Foundation, Appalachia Funders Network, and the Delta Philanthropy Forum to create new economic opportunities in rural areas by addressing barriers to accessing federal programs.

Participants also discussed concrete voluntary actions that would expand high-quality career pathways and workforce development efforts that ensure every American has access to good-paying jobs. As the Biden-Harris Investing in America agenda creates millions of new jobs in industries of the future, the Administration has made record investments in Registered Apprenticeships, free community colleges programs, and career and technical education programs. First Lady Jill Biden has led efforts to spotlight these programs, including launching Workforce Hubs across the country to expand pathways to good-paying jobs. Participants discussed ways that interested philanthropic organizations can advance the Administration’s seven priorities for high-impact workforce development strategies for students and workers.

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