Best Workforce Grants in New York

Highmark Corporate Giving is dedicated to enhancing community health and economic resilience across its service areas. With a focus on equitable access to healthcare and support for local organizations, Highmark aims to reduce health disparities and promote well-being. Their initiatives, such as the Bright Blue Futures program, provide funding to impactful community projects, supporting a diverse range of organizations that align with their mission of fostering healthier, more vibrant communities.

The New York Peer Specialist Independent Practice Association (IPA) aims to enhance collaboration and professional development for the peer specialist workforce in New York. Funded by the New York State Office of Mental Health, the IPA will support organizations in identifying shared goals, staying informed on industry trends, and fostering strong relationships. An annual award of $485,000 is available for five years, with an additional $100,000 in the first year for startup costs.

The Norfolk Southern Corporate Giving: Thriving Communities Grant Program supports initiatives that promote sustainability, workforce development, and community resilience across a 22-state network. With grants ranging from $1,000 to $50,000, the program aims to foster economic development and ensure equal access to basic necessities. Eligible organizations include tax-exempt nonprofits, government entities, and public schools, emphasizing diversity and inclusion in their community-focused efforts.

The Community Reinvestment Program Grants aim to support communities in New York State that have been adversely affected by past drug policies. Grants will fund essential services for young people aged 0-24, including mental health, workforce development, and housing initiatives. This program is financed through 40% of cannabis tax revenue, directed towards fostering equity and resource allocation in historically underserved areas. Nonprofit organizations can apply for funding to enhance community well-being and opportunities.

The KeyBank Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations focused on enhancing communities through education, workforce development, and affordable housing. Founded in 1969, the Foundation prioritizes diversity, financial capability, and sustainability. Their grants aim to empower individuals for success by improving access to resources, fostering economic inclusion, and creating safe environments. By partnering with community organizations, KeyBank Foundation seeks to make a measurable impact and ensure lasting positive change for families and small businesses.

The Norfolk Southern In-Kind Donation Grant supports organizations seeking physical donations of materials that align with their focus areas, including safety, sustainability, workforce development, and thriving communities. This grant is available year-round, with no application deadline. Recipients must be located within Norfolk Southern territory and are encouraged to apply for resources that will enhance their community projects and initiatives, fostering growth and resilience.

The Programmatic Support - Education Pillar Award by Honda aims to enhance workforce readiness in the manufacturing sector. It supports nonprofit organizations and schools focused on hands-on programs in design, software/data analytics, and AI/machine learning. Eligible applicants must be US-based and have 501(c)(3) status. The initiative prioritizes projects that train individuals for manufacturing roles, develop technical skills, and introduce automation to prepare for evolving industry demands, ultimately fostering economic prosperity in local communities.

About Regions

Regions Financial Corporation is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation's largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas.

Regions Foundation

Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact the communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank.

Matching Gifts Program

Full-time associates and recent retirees (up to 5 years after retirement) of Regions and its affiliated companies can request a Regions Matching Gift to eligible organizations. The recipient organization must be a 501(c) or 170(c) organization located in the Regions footprint (except for accredited educational institutions, which may be located anywhere in the United States) and has a primary mission that clearly fits one of these categories:

• Economic and community development: Supporting economic prosperity through affordable housing, job creation, small-business development, homebuyer education and retention, neighborhood revitalization and stabilization, food security/hunger relief.
• Education and workforce readiness: Supporting career prosperity through student competency and skill building, college and career readiness, educational access and success, credential building and employment and educator training and resources.
• Financial wellness: Supporting financial prosperity through K-12 and college financial education, adult and workforce financial empowerment.
• Arts and culture: Organizations that promote visual or performing arts, historic or science museums, zoos, botanical gardens, libraries, parks or public radio and television.
• Service members and Veterans: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting U.S. military service members and veterans.
• Individuals with disabilities: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting individuals with disabilities.

Regions Matching Gifts for Full-Time Associates

Regions supports organizations important to our associates through the Regions Matching Gifts Program. This program, which is open for use for all full-time Regions associates, affiliate associates and recent retirees, allows you to make an even greater difference to your favorite charities by doubling your tax-deductible contributions to these organizations. 

About Regions

Regions Financial Corporation is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation's largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management and mortgage products and services. Regions serves customers across the South, Midwest and Texas.

Regions Foundation

Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact the communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank.

Matching Gifts Program

Full-time associates and recent retirees (up to 5 years after retirement) of Regions and its affiliated companies can request a Regions Matching Gift to eligible organizations. The recipient organization must be a 501(c) or 170(c) organization located in the Regions footprint (except for accredited educational institutions, which may be located anywhere in the United States) and has a primary mission that clearly fits one of these categories:

• Economic and community development: Supporting economic prosperity through affordable housing, job creation, small-business development, homebuyer education and retention, neighborhood revitalization and stabilization, food security/hunger relief.
• Education and workforce readiness: Supporting career prosperity through student competency and skill building, college and career readiness, educational access and success, credential building and employment and educator training and resources.
• Financial wellness: Supporting financial prosperity through K-12 and college financial education, adult and workforce financial empowerment.
• Arts and culture: Organizations that promote visual or performing arts, historic or science museums, zoos, botanical gardens, libraries, parks or public radio and television.
• Service members and Veterans: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting U.S. military service members and veterans.
• Individuals with disabilities: Organizations that have a primary mission of supporting individuals with disabilities.

Regions Matching Gifts for Recent Retirees

Retirees of Regions and its affiliated companies are eligible for the Matching Gift Program for up to 5 years after retirement (the gift date must be within the first 5 years of retirement). Regions will match donations of $25 or more, up to a total of $1,000 per year per retiree.

The Regions Community Affairs team will contact the organization on your behalf to verify the gift and review eligibility.

The Workforce Development Capital Grant Program provides up to $35 million in funding to enhance workforce training capabilities in New York. This initiative supports training providers aiming to modernize facilities and purchase necessary equipment to deliver industry-recognized credentials. With awards ranging from $100,000 to $3 million, the program focuses on responsiveness to industry needs, increasing workforce participation, and improving training for underserved populations.

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation's Basic Needs Grant Program aims to address the essential needs of New Yorkers facing challenges such as food insecurity, inadequate housing, and economic instability. This initiative supports organizations that provide access to social services, promote economic mobility, and ensure stable housing and nutrition for underserved communities. Grants of $75,000 or more are available for programs that align with the foundation's mission of fostering health and well-being in New York State.

RBC Foundation – USA aims to enhance community quality of life by supporting non-profit organizations that promote diversity and positive change. In 2023, it awarded over $2.8 million in grants, prioritizing youth programs for ages 15-29, arts access for diverse populations, and mental well-being initiatives. The foundation encourages sustainable projects that foster economic independence, providing critical support for education, mental health, and cultural enrichment, thereby making a significant impact across various communities.

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation supports healthcare initiatives aimed at vulnerable populations in New York State through the General Fund & Eight Populations Grant Program. This program addresses unmet healthcare needs by funding projects that benefit immigrants, low-income individuals, older adults, and others. Grants typically start at $75,000, promoting direct services while ensuring adherence to the ethical principles of the Roman Catholic Faith.

The Energy Efficiency and Clean Technology Training program by NYSERDA aims to enhance New York's clean energy workforce through technical training and job placement services. Proposals are invited to build training infrastructure that meets industry demands, focusing on equity and inclusivity. Special consideration will be given to projects led by certified Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOBs). Concept Papers are due by November 18, 2025.

The Edward & Ellen Roche Relief Foundation Grants support nonprofits that assist disadvantaged women and children in New York City. Established in 1953, the foundation prioritizes funding for programs that promote the well-being and self-sufficiency of low-income women and their families, particularly those that focus on job training and placement for unemployed or underemployed women. This targeted approach aims to empower vulnerable populations and foster economic independence.

New York State Department of Labor

DOL’s mission is to provide outstanding services to our customers - the workers and businesses that call New York home. We help New Yorkers find the careers they will love by connecting them to employment, training, and up-skilling opportunities. We build and support New York’s businesses, helping them find qualified workers and keeping them informed about tools and incentives to make their businesses thrive. We empower and protect New York’s workers by supporting the unemployed and by ensuring all workers have a safe workplace where they receive a fair wage.

New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) Office of Just Energy Transition (OJET) Growing the Clean Energy Workforce – Electric Vehicles (GCEW-EV)

Description 

The Growing the Clean Energy Workforce – Electric Vehicles (GCEW-EV) Request for Applications (RFA) will provide funding to eligible organizations to expand or create training or pre-apprenticeship programs in EV (light, medium, & heavy-duty) repair and maintenance, EV charging station repair and maintenance, and/or EV fleet maintenance, and provide wraparound services to participants in these programs.

Projects must expand or create training or pre-apprenticeship programs in:

• EV and fleet repair and maintenance; and/or
• EV charging station repair and maintenance.

For this program, there is a minimum requirement that 35% of enrolled program participants must be individuals residing in Disadvantaged Communities (DACs), as defined by the Climate Justice Working Group (CJWG), to be eligible for funding. Applicants will be required to submit the DAC Attestation Form (Attachment DAC) stating that this requirement will be met.

Tuition and other fees may not be charged to the individuals served under this funding opportunity.

Scholarship Rule and Application

Mission/Purpose:

Through this scholarship program, The Women’s Council of Realtors Tri-County NY Network aims to raise the level of knowledge, professionalism and leadership of REALTORS® in the communities we serve.

The Pay for Performance Operating Grant Program by Empire State Development aims to support innovative workforce development initiatives in New York State. This grant facilitates funding for new or expanded programs focused on in-demand skills training, allowing applicants to cover various operational costs like curricula development and technology. The program emphasizes sustainable and impactful solutions that foster job creation and economic growth while addressing the needs of local industries and trainees.

New York State Office of Cannabis Management

The New York State Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) was established upon passage of the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA) in March 2021 to implement a regulatory framework for medical and adult-use cannabis and hemp in the state of New York. This includes, but is not limited to production, licensing, packaging, marketing and the sale of cannabis.

Community Grants Reinvestment Fund

Purpose

The Community Grants Reinvestment Fund (“CGRF”) was established under New York’s Cannabis Law to reinvest in communities disproportionately affected by past federal and state drug policies. Decades of criminalization, disproportionate enforcement, and incarceration have left lasting impacts on the social, economic, and health outcomes of individuals, families, and communities across the state.

Through the Community Reinvestment Program, the Office of Cannabis Management (“OCM”) and the Cannabis Advisory Board (“CAB”) aim to promote restorative justice, strengthen community institutions, and invest in organizations that have supported resilience and healing despite the challenges of past drug laws.

For the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year grant cycle, the CAB will award grants to 501(c)(3) communitybased organizations serving youth, defined as individuals aged 0–24, in communities disproportionally affected by prior drug policies. This year’s funding focuses on five (5) program areas:

• Mental Health
• Harm Reduction
• Substance Use Disorder
• Housing
• Workforce Development

The goal is to create equitable, positive, and lasting impacts by investing in community-based programs that offer youth-focused initiatives and wraparound services tailored to local needs in communities disproportionally harmed by prior federal and state drug policies.

Funding 

The applicant pool for the Community Grants Reinvestment Fund will be bifurcated into two tiers: Tier 1 Organizations and Tier 2 Organizations. Tier 1 and Tier 2 Organizations will be determined by the applicant organization’s total expenditures as reflected on their most current IRS tax filing.

• Tier 1: Organizations with total expenditures between $50,000 and $2,499,999.99.
• Tier 2: Organizations with total expenditures equal to or greater than $2,500,000. 

Tier 2 Organizations

For Tier 2 Organizations, award amounts will be $200,000. Tier 2 Applicants must submit a budget request exactly equal to $200,000. 

Clean Energy Career Pathways Training (PON 6121)

NYSERDA is seeking proposals for Clean Energy Career Pathways projects. These projects must include clean energy technical training as well as career preparation, wraparound services, and job placement support to prepare new workers for entry-level clean energy careers. Projects funded under this solicitation are intended to build or expand training infrastructure and capacity to build an equitable and inclusive pipeline of skilled talent for New York’s clean energy labor market. All training funded under this solicitation must be industry-driven and meet a demonstrated business need.

Total funding for this solicitation is $30 million, with up to $1.5 million per project. Additional funds may be added to this solicitation, if available, at NYSERDA’s discretion.

Funding is available for training that advances skills in the following clean energy technology areas: energy efficiency and building electrification; renewable energy; energy storage; smart grid; and electric vehicle charging stations (installation, operation and maintenance). 

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and support to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. A public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has been advancing energy solutions and working to protect the environment since 1975.

Clean Energy Communities Technical Support Contractor: Cohort Track

Description

NYSERDA seeks a Contractor or Contractor team (referenced collectively as “Contractor”) that will support the Clean Energy Communities (CEC) Cohort Track, a proposed offering within the CEC program focused on local government peer learning cohorts. The CEC Cohort Track collectively engages small groups of local government representatives to delve into a transformative decarbonization topic. Participants will learn and troubleshoot together as they develop individual plans for implementing that decarbonization topic within their communities.

The Contractor will assist NYSERDA in designing and implementing strategies for the CEC Cohort Track. Key responsibilities include:

• Development and delivery of training curriculum and peer learning sessions
• Creation and implementation of mechanisms to incorporate ongoing participant feedback into cohort structure
• Development of case studies and assistance in promoting findings to non-participating local governments
• Assistance in program participants’ planning and implementation

NYSERDA anticipates facilitating at least five cohorts of approximately 10-15 program participants each, with at least one cohort starting each year between 2026 and 2029. Each cohort is anticipated to engage for a duration of 24 months. Cohort topics are intended to have broad impact, whether by transforming municipal operations or procedures, ensuring ongoing emissions reductions activities, promoting community-scale decarbonization, or otherwise setting in motion systematic decarbonization of governmental and/or private building stock.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) offers objective information and analysis, innovative programs, technical expertise, and support to help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, use renewable energy, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. A public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has been advancing energy solutions and working to protect the environment since 1975.

Clean Energy Career Awareness Program: Teaching Resources & Educator Training

Description

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) requests proposals from firms that will help advance a Clean Energy Career Awareness Program to serve New York State (NYS) students, youths, and teachers. Proposal will be considered by contractors who wish to provide workforce development and training services for either or both of the following Pillars:

• Pillar 1 - Clean Energy Teaching Resources: A web-based platform that contains freely accessible clean energy educational resources responsive to the needs of NYS students and teachers.
• Pillar 2 - Clean Energy Educator Training: Professional development opportunities for NYS educators to advance their understanding of clean energy in NYS.

For Pillar 1, NYSERDA seeks proposer with experience and expertise in clean energy, curriculum curation, and web design. The proposer shall develop webpage(s) that contain freely accessible clean energy educational resources that are responsive to the needs of NYS students and teachers. The proposer shall maintain the webpage(s) regularly to ensure accuracy and timeliness of resources.

For Pillar 2, NYSERDA seeks proposer with experience and expertise in both clean energy and professional development for educators. The proposer shall develop and deliver professional development opportunities for at least 2,000 unique NYS educators to advance their understanding of clean energy in NYS and remove the barriers to understanding the benefits of clean energy. The proposer shall ensure 50+% of participating educators serve and/or are from NYS Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) and/or Priority District Schools.   

A total of $5,750,000 is available, with $750,000 designated for Pillar 1 and $5,000,000 designated for Pillar 2.

The Thalassemia Patient Incentive Award, sponsored by the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation, aims to support thalassemia patients in pursuing their educational and career aspirations. Awards ranging from $250 to $2,000 will be granted to students at various academic levels, with applications due in March 2026. This initiative not only encourages academic growth but also fosters a positive outlook among patients living with thalassemia, underscoring the Foundation's commitment to improving their quality of life.

The Career Development Grants, offered by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), support women with bachelor's degrees seeking to advance or change careers, particularly in high-growth STEM fields. These grants fund post-bachelor's coursework, including master's degrees or certifications, at accredited institutions. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to their educational pursuits and meet specific eligibility criteria, such as being enrolled in accredited programs that promote women's participation in underrepresented fields.

The Educational Incentive Award Application by the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation aims to support children of individuals with severe thalassemia in pursuing their educational and career aspirations. With a total funding of $10,000 for the 2025-2026 school year, awards range from $500 for two-year programs to $1,000 for higher degree studies. Eligible applicants must be diagnosed with specific thalassemia types and provide necessary documentation, including a 250-word essay detailing their educational goals.

AFL Community Grants aim to empower education, youth, and life advancement through targeted community support. The program is designed for non-profit organizations, focusing on STEM education, youth development, and the LEAP initiative for adult self-sufficiency. With grant applications opening in 2025, AFL Global seeks to make a lasting impact in communities by addressing their greatest needs and fostering growth through education and development initiatives.

The Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Assistance Fund offers crucial financial support and counseling for individuals in the theatrical exhibition and distribution sectors facing health-related challenges. This fund assists with medical expenses, housing emergencies, and essential services like vocational rehabilitation and equipment aid. Eligible applicants must have a minimum of three years in exhibition or five years in distribution. The fund aims to provide a safety net for those impacted by illness, injury, or significant life changes.