Learning and Action Cohorts.

Learning and Action Cohorts unite EFN funder members in a collective journey, providing short- and long-term learning experiences and peer support with space to evolve from learning to impactful coordinated actions. Focusing on specific areas championed by an EFN funder member(s,) these teams seek to deepen understanding around a central topic, share resources and promising practices, identify issue experts who may add value to discussions, and coordinate joint activities.  

EFN Cohorts are encouraged to share progress and insights through diverse channels within the network and the philanthropic sector at large, contributing to a dynamic flow of knowledge and experiences that may inform actions within the group, the broader network, or the home organizations of EFN funder members.

As a catalyst for cooperative action within the network, cohorts aim to create fertile ground for opportunities that advance equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems in ways that surpass individual capacities, propelling EFN into an active network for impact.

Below is an overview of some of EFN’s 2025 programmatic focus areas. In addition, EFN will create space to explore storytelling, policy and advocacy work, and learning opportunities to support funder members in their advancement of effective, equity centered practices in the field of entrepreneurship funding. If you are a funder that is interested in joining an existing Cohort, or if you have an idea for a future Cohort, please reach out using the button below.

Legal Efforts Supporting Discrimination Remedies

Questions swirl around the dos and don'ts of grantmaking designed to remedy institutional discrimination. Join your peers to:

  • Better understand key public and private cases challenging equity-centered grantmaking.

  • Explore both short- and long-term legal strategies at play.

  • Explore opportunities to collaborate on building capacity to design and defend legally sound and replicable models for supporting equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems and entrepreneurs.

Sharing Data and Resources

What might it make possible if, as a network of entrepreneurship funders, we shared and leveraged our data to enhance our impact? Come together with your peers to collaboratively:

  • Share what data points you are already gathering and how.

  • Identify your new and continuing questions.

  • Consider the benefits and potential of better sharing data with grantees.

  • Build knowledge around resources, strategic insights, strengths, gaps, opportunities and much more.

Access to Capital

Access to capital remains one of the greatest identified needs for entrepreneurs of all types. What opportunities exist for EFN funders - individually or collaboratively - to help close gaps? Come together with your peers to:

  • Share strategies implemented both regionally and nationally.

  • Explore opportunities to strategically coordinate funding on promising initiatives.

  • Enhance knowledge of available alternative lending products and the needs of entrepreneurs and providers in the sector.

  • Inspire other foundations to engage in supporting capital access and mission-driven lending activities.

Youth Engagement

Imagine if every adult entrepreneur had been exposed to entrepreneurship education when they were young. How could this change the entrepreneurial landscape, and what could a roadmap look like to get there? Join your peers in EFN’s Youth Engagement Community of Practice, to collaboratively:

  • Explore the lifelong benefits of cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset early-on, and the positive impacts on community health and vitality.

  • Share knowledge to strengthen the case for support and discover intersectionality with other strategic funding areas.

  • Identify opportunities to present the case and showcase promising work with the broader philanthropic sector.

  • Explore opportunities for coordinated funding and grantee support.