Founded in 1920, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) has, over four decades, become the leading proponent and the national “voice for community colleges.” Today, the association represents almost 1,200 two-year, associate degree–granting institutions and more than 12 million students. AACC supports and promotes its member colleges through policy initiatives, innovative programs, research and information and strategic outreach to business and industry and the national news media. The American Association of University Women.
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. AAUW was founded in 1881 and has a nationwide network of more than 100,000 members and donors, 1,000 branches, and 500 college/university institutional partners.
Founded in 1926, the Association for Career and Technical Education is the largest national education association dedicated to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE is committed to enhancing the job performance and satisfaction of its members; to increasing public awareness and appreciation for career and technical programs; and to assuring growth in local, state and federal funding for these programs by communicating and working with legislators and government leaders.
The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) is a non-profit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern over 1,200 community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States. These community professionals, business officials, public policy leaders, and leading citizens offer their time and talent to serve on the governing boards of our country’s most innovative higher education institutions—community, junior, and technical colleges—and make decisions that affect more than 1,200 colleges and over 11 million students annually.
The Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs (AFOP) has been an advocate for migrant and seasonal farmworkers in the United States since 1971. The thread that binds the Association is the concept that training and education can provide the launching pad to a better and more stable life for the workers who plant, tend, and harvest the crops that Americans consume at their tables.
Since 1969, the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) has been a trusted resource, a creative architect for systems change, and one of the country’s most effective voices for low income people. Through careful research and analysis and effective advocacy, CLASP develops and promotes new ideas, mobilizes others, and directly assists governments and advocates to put in place successful strategies that deliver results that matter to people across America.
The Coalition for Workforce Solutions (CWS) is a national coalition uniting organizations that provide support for the nation’s workforce development system. CWS members include workforce development providers, vendors, consultants and service organizations. CWS members operate and serve One-Stop Career Centers, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families initiatives, career and technical education programs, and technology and learning services.
The Community Action Partnership is the nonprofit, national membership organization representing the interests of the 1,100 Community Action Agencies (CAAs) across the country that annually help 20 million low-income Americans achieve economic security. In order to help CAAs meet ever-changing community needs, the Partnership sponsors an annual convention, publishes a quarterly magazine, provides training and technical assistance opportunities, and a distributes weekly electronic newsletter.
Corporation for a Skilled Workforce (CSW) catalyzes nationwide transformative change in education, economic, and workforce development through research and action. CSW is dedicated to reimagining work and learning as a means to increasing economic opportunity and sustainable prosperity for vulnerable people, companies, and communities.
The non-profit Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) advocates and innovates on behalf of adult learners to increase access to education and economic security; provides adults with career guidance and helps them earn college credit for what they already know; equips colleges and universities to attract, retain, and graduate more adult students; provides employers with smart strategies for employee development; and builds workforce organizations’ capacity to connect worker skills to employer demands.
The Council for Advancement of Adult Literacy (CAAL) is a national public charity dedicated to developing adult education, ESL, and workforce skills in America. CAAL operates a varied program of cutting-edge research, state and federal policy and issue analysis, symposia, planning, publications, and leadership development activities. It strives to bring about change that will inform understanding, dialogue, and action at all levels—with the overall goal of moving individual Americans and the nation toward a better future. A key CAAL initiative of the past few years is the work of the National Commission on Adult Literacy.
Easter Seals has been helping individuals with disabilities and special needs, and their families, live better lives for nearly 90 years. Easter Seals offers help, hope and answers to more than a million children and adults living with autism and other disabilities or special needs and their families each year. Services and support are provided through a network of more than 550 sites in the U.S. and through Ability First Australia.
Goodwill Industries International enhances the dignity and quality of life of individuals, families and communities by eliminating barriers to opportunity and helping people in need reach their fullest potential through the power of work. Their network of 165 independent, community-based Goodwills in the United States and Canada offers customized job training, employment placement and other services to people who have disabilities, lack education or job experience, or face employment challenges.
The Insight Center for Community Economic Development is a national research, consulting, and legal organization dedicated to building economic health in vulnerable communities. They develop and promote innovative solutions that help people and communities become, and remain, economically secure.
Founded in 1939, today’s International Association of Jewish Vocational Services (IAJVS) is a non-sectarian nonprofit network of 30 national and international human service agencies in major metropolitan areas in the United States, Canada, and Israel. Their member agencies provide a vast array of services that have a direct effect on the lives of hundreds of thousands of people each year, including career management, skills training, rehabilitation programs, health services, and home and community-based services. IAJVS is the collective voice for our members. They represent the network nationally and internationally, and promote the important work of their local member agencies here and abroad.
Jobs for the Future (JFF) identifies, develops, and promotes education and workforce strategies that expand opportunity for youth and adults who are struggling to advance in America today. In more than 200 communities across 43 states, JFF improves the pathways leading from high school to college to family-sustaining careers. By 2020, JFF, working with their partners, is committed to doubling the number of low-income youth and adults who attain postsecondary credentials.
Legal Momentum is the nation’s oldest legal defense and education fund dedicated to advancing the rights of women and girls. Founded in 1970 as the NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund, Legal Momentum has been at the forefront of litigation, policy development, and public education on issues related to women’s equality and personal and economic security for the past 41 years.
The National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE) is a non-profit organization that serves a consortium of state and local education agencies working to increase access and success of special population students in education and workforce development programs that lead to high skill, high wage careers. In 2002, NAPE formed the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity Education Foundation to support the work of NAPE. The Foundation’s mission is to expand career options and the economic potential of America’s workforce by collaborating with stakeholders to build the capacity of teachers, administrators, parents, and employers. It accomplishes this by: conducting research in education and workforce development trends and policies; collecting, developing, and disseminating best practices and resources; working to eliminate bias and stereotyping in education; developing materials and programs to promote nontraditional careers; improving the ability of schools to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student population; building the professional capacity of teachers to close achievement gaps; and facilitating system change in schools and organizational entities.
The National Association of State Directors of Career and Technical Education Consortium (NASDCTEc) was established in 1920 to represent the state and territory heads of secondary, postsecondary and adult career technical education (CTE) across the nation. NASDCTEc, through leadership, advocacy and partnerships, aims to support an innovative CTE system that prepares individuals to succeed in education and their careers, and poises the United States to flourish in a global, dynamic economy.
The National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) provides advocacy, education, peer exchanges and research for the nation’s regional development organizations. The association and its members promote regional strategies, partnerships and solutions to strengthen the economic competitiveness and quality of life across America’s local communities.
The National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB) represents business-led Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs) that coordinate and leverage workforce strategies with education and economic development stakeholders within their local communities, to ensure that state and local workforce development and job training programs meet the needs of employers. NAWB works closely with policy makers in Washington, DC to inform national strategy as it relates to WIBs and our partners in education, economic development, labor and business.
The National Association of Workforce Development Professionals represents professionals at all levels across the broad workforce development industry. It’s primary mission is to serve as the voice of the professional and improve the skills of the practitioner through high quality professional development.
As an affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE) provides a national forum for administrators and faculty in workforce education and basic skills, as well as representatives of business, labor, military, and government, to affect and direct the future role of two-year and other post-secondary institutions in workforce education and economic development. NCWE provides the link between policy and workforce education and economic development by providing support, research, and critical information to members on current and future trends and policies.
The National Council of La Raza (NCLR)—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. Through its network of nearly 300 affiliated community-based organizations, NCLR reaches millions of Hispanics each year in 41 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. To achieve its mission, NCLR conducts applied research, policy analysis, and advocacy, providing a Latino perspective in five key areas—assets/investments, civil rights/immigration, education, employment and economic status, and health.
The National Council on Aging is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCOA is a national voice for millions of older adults—especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged—and the community organizations that serve them. It brings together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults. NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently, and remain active in their communities.
The National Fund for Workforce Solutions is an award-winning initiative dedicated to helping low-wage workers get the skills they need to obtain good careers and ensure employers have the high-quality human capital in today’s dynamic global economy. Involving more than 300 funders who have raised over $130 million, the National Fund serves the needs of workers and employers by developing and nurturing a national network of regional funding collaboratives that invest in and organize employer-led, sectoral workforce partnerships.
The National League of Cities (NLC) is dedicated to helping city leaders build better communities. Working in partnership with the 49 state municipal leagues, NLC serves as a resource to and an advocate for the more than 19,000 cities, villages and towns it represents. More than 1,600 municipalities of all sizes pay dues directly to NLC and actively participate as leaders and voting members in the organization.
The National Network for Youth has been serving the youth of America for more than 30 years by championing the needs of runaway, homeless, and other disconnected youth. Our members are community-based organizations along with their neighborhood youth, adults, associations, and regional and state networks of youth workers. The National Network is committed to ensuring that opportunities for growth and development be available to youth who face greater odds due to abuse and neglect, homelessness, lack of resources, community prejudice, differing abilities, and other life challenges.
National Skills Coalition (NSC) is a broad-based coalition working toward a vision of an America that grows its economy by investing in its people so that every worker and every industry has the skills to compete and prosper. We engage in organizing, advocacy, and communications to advance state and federal policies that support these goals – policies that are based on the on-the-ground expertise of our members.
In 2000, the National Transitional Jobs Network (NTJN) formed in response to changes in federal welfare legislation to support effective employment solutions for people who have difficulty entering and succeeding in work. Today, the NTJN is the singular national clearinghouse for resources, tools, and expertise for building Transitional Jobs programs and is the national voice for stakeholders working to help the hardest to employ get and keep jobs.
National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC) improves the effectiveness of organizations that seek to help youth become productive citizens. NYEC envisions a nation in which every young person is assured the full range of educational, developmental, vocational, economic and social opportunities, supports, and services s/he may need to become a productive and self-sufficient worker, taxpayer, parent, and citizen. NYEC offers a range of initiatives, resources and activities that fall into one of four areas of core business: track, craft, and influence policy; set and promote quality standards; provide and support professional development; and build and increase the capacity of organizations and programs.
ProLiteracy is the oldest and largest nonprofit organization dedicated to championing the power of literacy to improve the lives of adults and their families, communities, and societies. It works with adult new readers and learners and with local and national organizations to help adults gain the reading, writing, math, computer, and English skills they need to be successful. ProLiteracy advocates on behalf of adult learners and the programs that serve them, provides training and professional development, and publishes materials used in adult literacy and basic education instruction. ProLiteracy has 1,100 member programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and works with 52 nongovernmental organizations in 30 developing countries.
The Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law provides national leadership in identifying, developing, and supporting creative and collaborative approaches to achieve social and economic justice for low-income people and communities. The Shriver Center engages in direct advocacy campaigns in Illinois and around the country to improve policies and programs on specific issues, and also engages in broader advocacy on general issues of justice, opportunity, and human rights.
The Susquahanna Group is a Washington, DC based consulting firm. It helps nonprofit organizations develop and implement winning legislative strategies, particularly in the areas of national service, education, youth development, and youth employment. Founding Partner Gene Sofer has had a long career in public policy in Washington, serving in senior positions on Capitol Hill and in the Executive branch. He is a graduate of New York University and received his PhD in History from UCLA.
Established in 1985, The Corps Network is the voice of the nation’s 151 Service and Conservation Corps. Currently operating in every state and the District of Columbia, Corps annually enroll more than 30,000 young men and women in service every year. Corps annually mobilize approximately 289,000 community volunteers who, in conjunction with Corpsmembers, generate 13.5 million hours of service every year. Today’s Corps, inheritors of the legacy of FDR’s Civilian Conservation Corps, enable Corpsmembers to improve community and the environment through programs including Civic Justice Corps, Public Lands Corps, Clean Energy Service Corps, and Corps Respond. By serving their nation, Corpsmembers gain abilities that last a lifetime, including work readiness, educational advancement, civic engagement, and the ability to make responsible choices.
Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW) works nationally and in its home community of Washington, DC to build pathways to economic independence for America’s families, women, and girls. WOW has a distinctive history in changing the landscape of women and work. For more than 40 years, WOW has helped women learn to earn with programs emphasizing literacy, technical and nontraditional skills, the welfare-to-work transition, career development, and retirement security.
Workforce Learning Strategies (WLS) is a partnership dedicated to helping policymakers and labor, community and business leaders develop strategies to ensure decent work and income for individuals and a productive workforce for employers. Formed in 1999, WLS has provided research, evaluation, policy development, and technical assistance to a wide variety of public and private organizations.
The Workforce Strategies Initiative (WSI), a project of the Washington, DC-based Aspen Institute, seeks to identify and advance strategies that help low-income Americans gain ground in today’s labor market. WSI’s projects have been designed to evaluate and advance sectoral employment development approaches to connecting low-income workers to both employment and advancement opportunities within targeted industry sectors. WSI also offers tools and training to help local workforce leaders develop the range of skills needed to operate successful sector initiatives.
Young Invincibles (YI) began in the summer of 2009, started by young people who believed that young people’s voices were not being heard in the debate over health care reform. Since that time, YI has grown into a national youth organization, working to expand opportunity for 18- to 34-year-olds and making sure that their perspective is heard wherever decisions about our collective future are being made. YI does this through cutting-edge policy research and analysis, sharing the stories of young Americans, campaigns designed to educate, inform and mobilize our generation and advocacy intended to change the status quo.
a diverse coalition of national organizations helping people raise their skills, to compete in today’s rapidly restructuring economy.