Frances Baylor

About Frances Baylor

I am a philanthropic strategist and community development leader who has dedicated my career to advancing economic mobility at the community, state, and national levels. With an MBA and MSW, I bring a unique blend of business and social impact expertise to build cross-sector partnerships that deliver real outcomes for families and communities.Currently, I lead the Central Texas chapter of the Asset Funders Network, where I convene 13 foundations and financial institutions to align investments in housing, child care, and career advancement initiatives. My work has sparked new public-private partnerships with local governments, seeded innovative housing and workforce solutions, and shaped the content strategy for national conferences that engage thousands of leaders in the economic mobility field.Previously, I served as Vice President of Partnerships & Field Engagement at Prosperity Now, where I created learning and engagement opportunities for a national network of practitioners and advocates, led a 15-person department, and developed programming for the Prosperity Summit — the nation’s premier gathering on financial security.I thrive at the intersection of strategy and collaboration — bringing funders, government, nonprofits, and the private sector together to create equitable systems, unlock capital, and strengthen communities.

Experience

1. Senior Director

   Asset Funders Network

   Nov 2022 — Present · Austin, TX, US

   Convene and facilitate a regional collaborative of 13 foundations and financial institutions, guiding shared investments into housing, child care, and career advancement initiatives.• Raised philanthropic funds and launched a partnership between United Way, Austin Mayor’s Office, and Workforce Solutions Capital Area, resulting in passage of a $75M annual countywide fund for child care and OST programs.• Seeded a public-private partnership between HousingWorks Austin and the cities of Taylor and Kyle, TX to advance housing solutions as local economies expand.• Developed content strategy for 2024 AFN National Conference and currently leading management of 2026 National Grantmaker Conference.• Managing a landscape scan of Central Texas career pipelines to inform philanthropic strategy for young adults and at-risk populations.

Education

• Purdue University

  BA, Psychology, Sociology

• University of Houston, C.T. Bauer College of Business

  MBA

  2009 — 2011

• University of Houston, Graduate College of Social Work

  MSW

  2008 — 2011