McElhattan Foundation is committed to ending death on the job by 2050 through its Ending Death on the Job (EDOJ) Program. The Foundation advances worker health and safety by funding and partnering with nonprofit organizations, researchers, and innovators—grounded in a rigorous, evidence‑based understanding of why workplace fatalities occur. Research is the cornerstone of this approach, ensuring philanthropic investments are targeted, data‑driven, and focused on the highest‑risk hazards.
The EDOJ Program is guided by two core strategies: (1) doubling down on interventions proven to reduce fatalities, and (2) accelerating innovative solutions that eliminate the need for workers to perform dangerous tasks. Before grantmaking begins, the Foundation analyzes fatality trends, hazard‑specific risks, and systemic prevention gaps to identify where philanthropic capital can have the greatest impact.
To support this research‑first strategy, the Foundation has launched several initiatives, including the Safety Analysis and Guidance Engine (SAGE)—an AI‑enabled research platform that helps synthesize fragmented U.S. workplace fatality data. McElhattan Foundation also launched the Zero2050 Challenge in March 2026—an annual, hazard‑focused initiative designed to accelerate solutions where risk is highest.
This session explores the potential of research‑driven philanthropic model to complement regulation, industry action, and innovation to more effectively prevent workplace fatalities and drive measurable progress toward zero deaths. After learning about the Foundation’s current projects, participants will engage in an interactive discussion with Foundation staff to share their insights on workplace safety and offer real-world perspectives and feedback that will help shape the Foundation’s investment priorities.