Benefits Access & Equity Initiative

For the one-fourth of the U.S. population who live at or near the poverty line—and the many more people who will experience destabilizing events such as losing a job—public benefits offer crucial lifelines to economic security. Government programs like unemployment insurance, Medicaid, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) all dramatically reduce poverty and boost outcomes across generations. But right now, $80 billion in public benefits go unused each year. Outdated technology, government capacity challenges, and racial and social inequities all make it harder for eligible people to access and maintain critical benefits. They also challenge government’s ability to deliver these benefits efficiently and effectively.

At the Families and Workers Fund, we’re committed to building a more equitable economy that uplifts all, and we believe that philanthropy has a vital role to play in strengthening our social safety net. Since 2020, our grantmaking has helped partners on the frontlines deliver more than $142 million in public benefits, and we’ve seen firsthand the transformative potential of innovations and practices already taking root. By pooling resources and working together with partners in and outside of government, we know that we can dramatically improve the lives of millions of people.

The Benefits Access and Equity Initiative is a five-year, $45+ million philanthropic effort to significantly improve access to and delivery of poverty-reducing benefits across the U.S. Through pooled philanthropic investments, the Initiative will activate and grow a network of innovative nonprofit, tech, and government agency partners working across the many benefits that kids, families, and workers rely on to weather challenging times and stay healthy and financially secure.

To deliver on our goals, grantmaking will prioritize the 60% of people experiencing the greatest barriers to access and delivery, including families living on low incomes, Black and Brown people, immigrants, rural communities, women, LGBTQ+ people, and people with criminal court involvement.

We have a once-in-a-generation chance to repair and reimagine the systems that protect economic security for all – but we can only get there through collective action. 

If you’re a funder working on tech, poverty, children and family issues, hunger and nutrition, economic opportunity, or any related mission, we invite you to join us! And if you’re a state government leader seeking partners to supercharge your vision—or a nonprofit leading benefits access work—we want to hear from you and will have more updates soon.