Funder Community

The GMA Funder Community promises a great experience in breaking out of traditional giving models. We aim to tap into the potential we see in groups of individual funders with overlapping missions and goals.

Funder Community, next launch January, 2025

17/25 Fund for Young Adults

Purpose: Unlocking economic self-sufficiency for 17-to-25-year-olds

People ages 17 to 25 The 17/25 Fund for Young Adults will dig into innovative and effective strategies to support young adults in Greater Boston and Gateway Cities through their transitional years. This age group has received proportionately little philanthropic investment and requires resources, supportive relationships, and opportunities to reach their potential.

The number of people between the ages of 16 and 24 who are neither working nor in school surged during the pandemic and now stands at over 6,000 in Greater Boston alone. ‘Disconnection’ rates are considerably higher in other major cities. Despite considerable progress in increasing accessibility, college and career pathways are still not working for everyone, particularly not for young adults with inadequate support systems.

Guaranteed Income in Workforce Development Programs for Young Adults

Research indicates that alternative pathways, such as those offered through employment and training programs, can significantly improve outcomes for young adults. However, obstacles to success in workforce development programs remain; financial insecurity tops the list. Is a guaranteed income a critical component for successful completion?

Charlestown homes and the Zakim Bridge in Boston — Photo by Harrison Haines on Pexels.com

Pilot programs across the country continue to demonstrate the power of direct cash assistance for a sustained period at pivotal points in people’s lives. In 2023-24, the 17/25 Fund dug into guaranteed income specifically for young adults. Read about participating funders’ decision to award $80,600 for each of two organizations here.

The next round of the 17/25 Fund, launching in January 2025, will explore how guaranteed income can power success for young people participating in workforce development programs – and help them achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Fund Participation

GMA’s six-month pooled giving and comprehensive learning experience is now accepting grants from donors eager to identify and fund community-driven solutions to a large-scale problem affecting young adults across the country.

Starting in January 2025, the 17/25 Fund will explore the impact of guaranteed income on young adults in workforce development programs. Following three 1.25-hour learning sessions with experts, participants will hear from prospective grantees and then decide together how to allocate the Fund’s dollars.

The participant-directed Fund is a project under the fiscal sponsorship of Philanthropy Massachusetts. Participation is open to private foundations, corporate giving programs, donor-advised fund accounts, and individual donors.

Contact GMA Senior Program Officer Rachel Rifkin by phone 617-391-3097 or email rrifkin@gmafoundations.com to learn more about the GMA Funder Community.

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