THE NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE
ON ENDING POVERTY IN AMERICA
A National Community Funder Coalition
Poverty touches us all and underlies nearly all of the issues we seek to improve through philanthropy, from education to healthcare and housing. Yet our investments have fallen short—poverty rates are rising, not falling. It’s time for bold, coordinated action to bring about scaled and lasting impact.
The National Roundtable is a bold new effort to reimagine and reenergize the fight to end poverty in America. We’re a coalition of leaders from national and community-based philanthropy, research, and advocacy across 40 states who are working across sectors to build a more equitable country. We’re led by a Planning Group of over 20 community funders from across America who share a commitment to accelerating the end of poverty and are developing a plan for how we can take action together.
We know we can end poverty in America — and together, we’re building the momentum that will make it happen.
The Fall National Roundtable on Ending Poverty in America
The Fall Virtual National Roundtable on Ending Poverty in America:
From Ideas to Action
🎤 Co-hosted by Robert Wood Johnson, Annie E. Casey, and Goodnation Foundations
🗓️ November 6, 2025
⏰ 1:00-3:00pm ET on Zoom
The 2nd Virtual National Roundtable on Ending Poverty will feature Matthew Desmond, sociologist and author of Poverty, by America, and Heather McGhee, policy expert and author of The Sum of Us, and more than a dozen leading poverty experts committed to advancing concrete solutions and building the coalition needed to achieve them.
This isn't just another webinar—it's a chance to move beyond talking about poverty to actually coordinating our efforts in ways that can create lasting change for the common good. We're bringing together thought leaders, cutting-edge poverty researchers, and local officials alongside foundation leaders who do this work every day.
In addition to Pulitzer Prize winner Matthew Desmond on thinking bigger and New York Times bestseller Heather McGhee on the solidarity dividend, our incredible lineup of experts will cover:
A new way to measure economic security: We're going beyond traditional poverty measures to look at what it actually takes for all families in America to be economically secure.
How we build power and change policy: Practical examples from funders who are already doing this work, including how they're approaching federal policy advocacy and what's working at the local level.
A coalition model that makes participation easy: We're unveiling a practical model for collaborative action that supports local funders to achieve the solutions that will work in their community.
Our new blueprint: The metric that quantifies the percentage of Americans whose incomes cover essential living costs (housing, childcare, healthcare, food, transportation, broadband, taxes), adjusted for geography.
Mayors championing federal policy at the local level: In an era with national partisan gridlock and seemingly intractable problems, Mayors are emerging as political leaders who have to deliver — even without the resources or formal authority to do so.
So much more: Our lineup of speakers grows every day, and we can’t wait for you to join us.
If you are a national or community-based funder focused on ending poverty, we invite you to join us for this important conversation.
OTHER KEY MOMENTS
Ending Poverty in America: A Virtual National Roundtable, co-hosted by the Robert Wood Johnson, Annie E. Casey, and Goodnation Foundations, was held on June 4, 2025, and convened nearly 200 leaders from philanthropy, research, and advocacy across 40 states to address the urgent question: not whether, but how to end poverty in America.
The event was anchored by the National Philanthropy Survey on Ending Poverty, which drew responses from over 100 funders, including national philanthropies, community foundations, health conversion foundations, and other place-based funders, representing at least $1 billion in annual grantmaking devoted to anti-poverty efforts.
The roundtable, shaped by survey findings, featured discussions on federal policy solutions, systemic barriers, and the future role of philanthropy in ending poverty in America. We discussed how key federal policies, particularly tax, housing and labor, can establish an economic foundation for families in all our communities. In addition to looking at the hard data, we heard stories of hope and opportunity, and we explored the power of community funders working together to achieve a shared vision of economic security.
A National Roundtable
Ending Poverty in America: A Virtual National Roundtable was held (via Zoom) on June 4, 2025, and convened nearly 200 leaders from philanthropy, research, and advocacy across 40 states to address the urgent question: not whether, but how to end poverty in America together.
Passionate Speakers & Experts
The event was anchored by the National Philanthropy Survey on Ending Poverty, which drew responses from over 100 national and place-based funders, representing at least $1 billion in annual grantmaking devoted to anti-poverty efforts.
The roundtable, shaped by survey findings, featured panels on federal policy solutions, systemic barriers, and the future role of philanthropy in ending poverty in America.
The Main Takeaway
The roundtable highlighted both the scale of philanthropic commitment and the persistent challenges of fragmentation and lack of collaboration.
However, the event was marked by a surge of energy and a call to collective action, with participants emphasizing the need for bolder collaboration, evidence-based policy advocacy, and centering the voices of those most affected by poverty.
LEARN MORE & JOIN US
We invite funders focused on fighting poverty in their community to learn more and get involved. Sign up for roundtable updates and invitations to upcoming events here.
For more information about the roundtable, please contact Emily Ball, Senior Philanthropy Advisor, at emily@goodnation.io.