ENDING POVERTY IN AMERICA
A National Donor 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.
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.
COMING UP: SAVE THE DATE!
The 2nd Virtual National Roundtable on Ending Poverty
🎤 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, author of Poverty, by America, and a lineup of other leading poverty experts and funders, all committed to advancing concrete solutions and building the coalition needed to achieve them. Additional speaker details and registration coming soon.
If you are a national or community-based funder focused on ending poverty, we invite you to join us for this important conversation. To receive an invitation or to learn more about how you can get involved, please email Rob Hansen at rhansen@goodnation.io.
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.