Two major U.S. organizations have joined forces to help employers better support the nation’s more than 100 million caregivers balancing work and family responsibilities.
The SHRM Foundation and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation announced a new national partnership aimed at improving awareness, training, and workplace policies to ensure caregivers can find and retain meaningful employment.
The initiative, launched at the Supporting Caregivers in the Workforce Summit in Washington, D.C., focuses on six areas: awareness building, training and support, recruitment and retention, thought leadership, coalition building, and continued assistance for military and veteran caregivers.
Employers urged to take action
“Every career intersects with care,” said Wendi Safstrom, president of the SHRM Foundation. “Every worker either has been, is, or will be in the position of caring for a friend or loved one. Employers have both an opportunity and a responsibility to build workplaces where caregivers are seen, supported, and set up for success.”
Safstrom said the partnership unites the organizations’ missions “rooted in compassion and purpose to ensure that working caregivers have the support they need to stay, contribute, and thrive.”
Research highlights career impact
The initiative builds on SHRM research published in April 2025 that found more than 40 per cent of working caregivers said their responsibilities hindered their career advancement.
The studies — Care and Careers: Navigating Caregiving and Work Responsibilities and The Caregiving Imperative: Organizational Solutions for Supporting Caregivers and Elevating Business Performance — found that employers offering structured caregiver support saw stronger results in engagement, recruitment, and retention.
Focus on military and veteran caregivers
Steve Schwab, CEO of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, said military and veteran caregivers often face challenges similar to those confronting millions of other working Americans.
“At the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, we’ve seen how the right support can make all the difference,” he said. “Together with the SHRM Foundation, we’re bringing those lessons to every workplace — recognizing caregivers as essential talent and aligning policies to match.”
Summit brings together leaders
The Oct. 30 summit brought together government, business, and nonprofit leaders to discuss caregiving challenges and policy solutions. It included panels on government initiatives, organizational best practices, and the economic impact of caregiving.
To continue the conversation, the SHRM Foundation and SHRM will host a public webinar on Nov. 12 featuring Safstrom, Emily M. Dickens, SHRM’s chief of staff and head of government affairs, and Schwab. The event will explore research findings and offer guidance for HR professionals on supporting working caregivers.
