Fund for Our Economic Future Assessment:  FutureWorks is partnering with the Fund for Our Economic Future to assess the effectiveness of its strategies and structure for advancing the economic competitiveness of Northeast Ohio.  Working closely with Fund staff and members as a learning partner, we are helping the Fund determine whether it is achieving its stated goals, as well as whether it is using the most effective approach in achieving those goals.  Fund members will use the lessons learned to inform the strategies for the next phase of their work. More information on the Fund for Our Economic Future can be found on its website: http://www.futurefundneo.org/

America Works Initiative:  FutureWorks is managing this Walmart Foundation initiative to develop more effective and systemic approaches to putting people back to work.  Each of the seven grantees is using their Walmart funding to leverage larger-scale changes in their workforce development systems that directly support efforts to grow the economy in their region.  This initiative builds on the U.S. Department of Labor’s WIRED initiative, and includes several former WIRED sites.  More information on the America Works Initiative

Central Wisconsin Economic Snapshot:  FutureWorks is helping the Workforce Central Funders Collaborative identify existing economic development assets in the region and develop a plan for how to better leverage those assets to grow new jobs.  The project is a response to concern in the region that it’s not enough to simply prepare people for existing jobs.  There also needs to be a concerted and strategic effort to create new jobs.  The project is also being funded by the local chamber of commerce, Mid-State Technical College, and the North Central Workforce Development Board.  More information on the Workforce Central Funders Collaborative can be found at its website: http://www.cfswc.org/page10004361.cfm.

Complete College America:  FutureWorks is supporting the national roll-out of Complete College America's effort to significantly increase the number of Americans with a college degree or credential.  Started in 2009, CCA has brought its ideas and convening power to 24 states. Now as a national movement, FutureWorks is working on behalf of CCA to assist more than a dozen states to implement new policy and models that increase attainment rates and close attainment gaps for traditionally underrepresented populations.  More on Complete College America's efforts can be found at its website: http://www.completecollege.org/.

Talent Dividend Network:  FutureWorks, in partnership with CEO for Cities, is leading the National Talent Dividend Network -- a learning network of cross-sector leadership teams in 23 major U.S. cities focused on achieving postsecondary attainment gains.  The program builds on the Talent Dividend initiative launched in 2008-2009 by CEOs for Cities - it demonstrates that a one-percentage point increase in postsecondary attainment has concrete economic pay-offs in economic prosperity.  FutureWorks is organizing national meetings and other activities to support the work of 23 cities, helping them learn from and support each other.  The meetings serve as an opportunity to facilitate best practice among cities, provide guidance from national experts, track progress and data-driven change through a sophisticated set of metrics, and encourage more effective state and federal policy.  More on the Talent Dividend can be found on its website: http://www.ceosforcities.org/work/talentdividendtour#More.