The Talent Finance initiative explores new ways to invest in talent development that keep pace with innovation and advance economic opportunity, inclusion, and competitiveness. In the 21st century economy, jobs—and the skills required to fill those jobs—change rapidly. The Foundation has launched this initiative to catalyze business-led solutions to one of the biggest workforce challenges in America today.

As businesses and workers adjust to rapidly changing work environments, employers are focusing on improving diversity to strengthen their workforce. In addition, new economic and workplace challenges may exacerbate barriers to employment — particularly for those who experience barriers to education, employment, and advancement — otherwise known as opportunity populations. Organizations that serve opportunity populations are looking for new ways to connect those who experience barriers to employment to meaningful career pathways and advancement. Strengthening relationships between businesses and opportunity population-serving organizations (OPSOs) is important, but major systemic challenges to sustained partnership often exist.