Our Impact Framework

JobsFirst is building a movement by design—an intentional, structured effort to unlock pathways to economic mobility for young adults by centering local expertise and equipping communities with the infrastructure, tools, and shared frameworks to build, refine, and scale solutions that last. We align work, education, and community so that local insight transforms into economic mobility.

Young Adults on the Path to Economic Mobility

This milestone represents more than just a number; it is the result of bringing systems in sync to replace fragmentation with forward motion across the country.

How We Measure Impact

Every part of the ecosystem matters—from the partnerships incubating solutions in neighborhoods to the systems strengthening cities and regions.

Impact Framework graphic, showing a rippling structure of how Solutions leads to Partners, leads to Systems, leading to Place.
Group of young peoples gathered in a foyer of a government building.

Our Track Record of Systemic Return

We have proven the scalability and durability of this framework across complex ecosystems.

people supported toward economic mobility through workforce training, education, and employment.

in public and private capital directed toward sustainable career pathways through policy, practice, and systems change.

fewer young adults out of school and out of work in New York City since 2006.

Our Strategic Priorities

JobsFirst pursues five strategic priorities to drive population-level improvement and accelerate workforce ecosystems in the communities served.

Build New Local Infrastructure

Establish Local Drivers and funder collaboratives in 5 communities across the country.

Centralize JobsFirst’s Coordination

Empower capabilities and talent to support locally led, AI-informed impact.

Leverage AI to Accelerate Impact

Equip partners with insights to design solutions for an AI-exposed labor market.

Deepen Innovation

Invest in JobsFirst NYC’s 20 years of impact through practitioner-developed solutions.

Fundraise for Scale

Raising the growth capital needed to realize the national vision.

Framework in Motion

See how JobsFirst is removing barriers to economic mobility by aligning work, education, and community systems.

  • JobsFirst. Built in NYC. Scaling Nationwide.

    JobsFirst. Built in NYC. Scaling Nationwide.


    NYC Workforce Organization JobsFirst Launches National Expansion with Philanthropic Backing JobsFirst NYC recently announced the launch of its national expansion, JobsFirst, during its Strategic Plan Partnership Briefing in New York City, joined by leaders from the…

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    Read More: JobsFirst. Built in NYC. Scaling Nationwide.
  • JobsFirst NYC 2025 Annual Report

    JobsFirst NYC 2025 Annual Report


    During Fiscal Year 2025, JobsFirst NYC operated at the intersection of local resilience and global transformation. As the nation navigated a volatile labor market shaped by the rapid ascent of artificial intelligence and shifting economic demands,…

    Read More: JobsFirst NYC 2025 Annual Report
  • Pathways Beyond Graduation: Reimagining the High School Equivalency Experience

    Pathways Beyond Graduation: Reimagining the High School Equivalency Experience


    On June 18, students from across New York City gathered at Brooklyn Borough Hall to be honored for reaching a milestone in their journeys toward new careers. Held at Brooklyn Borough Hall’s former Brooklyn Supreme Courtroom,…

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    Read More: Pathways Beyond Graduation: Reimagining the High School Equivalency Experience

JobsFirst builds the infrastructure for systems change by aligning work, education, and community around shared goals for young adults. Local Drivers hold the coordination process in their cities and regions. JobsFirst provides the shared framework, proven tools, and cross-site learning that make sustained systems change possible.

JobsFirst’s systems change work has supported more than 31,600 people toward economic mobility through workforce training, education, and employment. More than $212 million in public and private capital has been directed toward sustainable career pathways. Across New York City, 100,000 fewer young adults are out of school and out of work since 2006.

JobsFirst measures systems change across four dimensions: individual outcomes for young adults, partner organizational capacity, systemwide improvements to practice and policy, and population-level changes across cities and regions. Every part of the ecosystem matters: from partnerships incubating solutions in neighborhoods to systems strengthening entire regions.

JobsFirst pursues five strategic priorities to drive systems change: building new local infrastructure, centralizing coordination, leveraging AI to accelerate impact, deepening innovation through JobsFirst NYC’s 20 years of practice, and raising the growth capital needed to realize the national vision.

JobsFirst provides investors a clear, proven framework for systems change backed by two decades of practice. More than 50,000 young adults are on clearer paths to economic mobility. Every dollar invested flows through coordinated infrastructure designed to produce outcomes that are visible, measurable, and repeatable.