About Us

Our country has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to advance equity as we invest in infrastructure that is more just and climate resilient. Partnership between government, philanthropy, and other sectors is critical to the success of these investments.

Launched in 2022, the What Works Plus (WW+) Collaborative coordinates across philanthropy, non-profits, and government to advance equity and climate resilience by addressing gaps in the implementation of federal infrastructure, climate and economic development funding. The collaborative focuses on supporting learning and partnerships that result in better outcomes for communities, workers, and entrepreneurs across three main areas: 1) government capacity building, 2) local economies, 3) community engagement. 


WW+ is hosted and staffed by Freedman Consulting, LLC, which provides strategic consulting services to foundations and nonprofit organizations.

How We Work

What Works Plus serves three main functions:

  1. Philanthropic Coordinator and Knowledge Builder: WW+ coordinates funders and fills knowledge gaps to inform strategic philanthropic grantmaking decisions.

  2. Cross-Sectoral Connector: WW+ facilitates meaningful information-sharing and opportunities for coordination between government, philanthropy, and more.

  3. Implementation Support Gap-Filler: WW+ identifies and supports initiatives to address gaps in implementation, primarily by collaborating on the design and launch of high-value, targeted initiatives.

Read more about the legislation that drives our work

  • In late 2021, Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act), which will invest $550 Billion in new funding for water, transportation, broadband, energy, and other projects across the United States and drive the creation of good-paying union jobs.

  • The Inflation Reduction Act will invest $369 Billion through the tax code in climate solutions to reduce pollution, improve clean transit, increase affordability of clean energy, and strengthen communities’ resilience to climate change, among other investments.

  • In August 2022, Congress passed the CHIPS and Science Act which will invest $280 billion in boosting American semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing; an integral part of the strategy to revitalize well-paying domestic jobs in the manufacturing and scientific innovation industries.

  • The 2021 American Rescue Plan (ARPA) provided relief to Americans affected by the economic harms of COVID-19. The ARPA invested in individuals and families through stimulus payments, tax credits, and unemployment benefits; and in local communities through business grants, local government investment, and public-transit funding.