Economic Mobility

Economic mobility refers to the ability of people to improve their economic status, have power and autonomy over their lives, and be engaged in and valued by their community.

In order for individuals and families to achieve economic mobility, the communities they live in need to provide equitable access to high-quality education and jobs. Increased wages, adequate working hours and reasonable working conditions can help advance economic well-being and provide increased access to opportunities such as buying a house, paying for a college education or investing in a business. 

Because of the complex social, economic and political issues that have affected economic mobility over several decades, solutions that help individuals and families achieve this “American Dream” require a multi-faceted, cross-sector approach designed to impact change at the systems level.  

Now, we’re building on our previous work on  family economic security and family asset building to explore how community foundations can use the five competencies of community leadership to help families move beyond economic security and toward upward economic mobility.

Economic Mobility Work

In November 2023, CFLeads was pleased to receive funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for our continued economic mobility work.

Building on the remarkable success of the pilot Economic Mobility Action Network, CFLeads will continue supporting community foundations that serve as local coalition builders through their economic mobility work. Read more about our continued economic mobility work in the press release below:

Community foundations currently working on economic mobility or interested in learning more can engage in several offerings with CFLeads including webinars, regional convenings, and the second iteration of the Economic Mobility Action Network. View previous offerings and blogs anytime by visiting our Resources page.