Best Workforce Preparation Job Readiness Grants

The TDECU Cares Foundation Grant supports local organizations that enhance community well-being by focusing on education, employment pathways, and essential human needs. Eligible applicants include registered 501(c)(3) non-profits and governmental entities within TDECU's service areas. The foundation prioritizes projects that align with its strategic focus and provide volunteer opportunities for TDECU employees. By investing in impactful initiatives, the foundation aims to foster meaningful change in the communities it serves.

The Building Better Lives Grant, offered by the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, aims to empower local leaders and communities through innovative, community-led solutions. By prioritizing engagement, collaboration, equity, and sustainability, the grant supports projects that strengthen families, promote health and wellness, cultivate welcoming communities, enhance economic mobility, and build nonprofit capacity. Together, these efforts contribute to a more resilient and thriving region.

The Yale Teaching Fellowship (YTF) aims to cultivate high-quality teachers for New Haven Public Schools, addressing teacher shortages and enhancing retention. This program offers full tuition for graduate studies and a living stipend, encouraging a commitment of at least three years of teaching. Designed for diverse candidates, including NHPS staff, the fellowship supports certification in critical areas like Math, Science, and Special Education, fostering educational equity and community engagement.

McDonald’s Chicago Community Impact Grants aim to empower youth aged 16-24 by enhancing workforce readiness and addressing food insecurity. With an investment of $8.5 million since 2022, the program supports local organizations that demonstrate impactful community service. The initiative focuses on holistic approaches, including apprenticeships, training, and mentorship, ensuring young people have access to essential skills and resources. By fostering communities, McDonald’s reaffirms its commitment to creating pathways for empowerment and opportunity.

The Community Impact Grants, offered by the Texas Capital Bank Foundation, are aimed at supporting Texas-based nonprofits that provide essential services to low- and moderate-income communities. These grants focus on key areas such as housing solutions, education, workforce development, and support for veterans and first responders. By investing in these initiatives, the foundation seeks to foster community development and enhance the quality of life for those in need across major Texas cities.

The Education and Workforce Development Honors Award, administered by the Texas Capital Bank Foundation, is a competitive grant program that supports innovative nonprofit organizations in Texas. With $50,000 grants for housing and workforce programs, and a $100,000 grant for veterans' services, this award aims to empower organizations that provide essential entrepreneurial resources to help individuals launch and grow sustainable businesses, ultimately benefiting low- and moderate-income communities.

The IMPACT Grant by the Wellspring Foundation supports organizations in Virginia's Washington, Grayson, Russell, and Smyth counties. It provides funding for projects exceeding $50,000, emphasizing partnerships to enhance community health and well-being. Applicants must schedule a meeting with the Director of Engagement before submission. The Foundation prioritizes collaborative efforts, measurable outcomes, and sustainability while ensuring no discrimination in funding decisions. The grant aims for transformative impacts by addressing regional challenges through effective partnerships.

The Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia offers the HOPE Grant, aimed at supporting nonprofit organizations and governmental entities in enhancing community health and wellbeing. With funding up to $50,000, the grant focuses on projects that address poverty, health challenges, and opportunity disparities in Washington, Grayson, Russell, and Smyth counties. The Foundation emphasizes collaborative partnerships and measurable outcomes, with two funding cycles each year, providing a vital resource for transformative community initiatives.

The Development Partnership Grants, offered by the Minnesota Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation, fund initiatives aimed at fostering long-term economic growth in northeastern Minnesota. Applications are open from July 1, 2025, until May 29, 2026, or until funds are allocated. These grants support research, planning, and education projects that align with community development goals, helping to strengthen the region's economy and enhance local resources.

The Greater Erie Economic Development Corporation (GEEDC), founded in 1974, promotes diversity in workforce development through its grant program. By supporting nonprofit organizations and businesses, GEEDC helps address community needs and offers opportunities for marginalized individuals. Past recipients include Zenedge Energy Drinks and East Side Renaissance. GEEDC grants are available annually, aiming to enhance local economic growth and workforce diversity, making a significant impact on the Erie community.

The Wisconsin Fast Forward Grants provide essential funding for health care sector training, supporting projects that enhance collaboration between businesses and workforce partners. With awards ranging from $5,000 to $400,000, these grants aim to address skill shortages, ensuring workers gain necessary training for sustainable employment. This initiative focuses on the health sciences and related fields, promoting professional growth and economic advancement for participants while fostering partnerships among multiple employers.

The GFO-25-901 program, administered by the California Energy Commission, aims to enhance the workforce for residential building electrification and efficiency training. This initiative supports long-term market transformation by funding contractor training projects, which ultimately reduce training costs and provide necessary certifications. As California transitions to 100% clean energy, such efforts are vital for combating climate change and ensuring a sustainable energy future.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is offering funding through the Fast Track Training Support Program to enhance workforce skills for HVAC supply chain manufacturers in St. Clair County. This initiative aims to support local businesses by providing training and job placement services, fostering economic development and innovation within the region. Eligible organizations can apply for this critical funding to upskill workers and meet the demands of a growing industry.

The Climate-Critical Workforce Training, Equipment & Infrastructure Grants aim to equip Massachusetts residents for the growing clean energy workforce, projected to expand by over 34,000 jobs by 2030. These grants provide up to $800,000 in funding for organizations that facilitate career pathways and upskilling in climate-critical occupations. Applicants can focus on various strands including training for new workers and upskilling for existing employees, ensuring a skilled workforce to meet state climate goals.

The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training Program (EVITP) Fund 1.5, funded by the California Employment Training Panel, offers up to $934,702 to enhance the skills of electricians in installing electric vehicle charging equipment. This initiative aims to certify electricians through specialized training, ensuring they meet industry standards. Eligible participants must possess a current General Electrician Certification issued by the California Department of Industrial Relations. This program reflects California's commitment to expanding its electric vehicle infrastructure.

The New American Long-term Care (LTC) Workforce Development Legal Services initiative, led by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, aims to enhance the long-term care workforce by providing immigration legal services to New Americans. This program focuses on culturally responsive support to ensure that individuals born abroad can successfully enter and thrive in the LTC sector, promoting workforce integration and stability for these communities.

The Youth Workforce Development Program by the District of Columbia Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services aims to prepare justice-involved youth for successful transition into adulthood. Through structured job training, skill development, and real-world experience, the program facilitates pathways to sustainable employment. It emphasizes collaboration with community partners and focuses on proven results for youth aged 18 to 21. By fostering a supportive environment, this initiative seeks to empower young individuals and promote their reintegration into society.

The Scott Family Public Safety Scholarship, offered by the Ashland County Community Foundation, supports high school graduates residing in Ashland County. This scholarship aids students accepted into accredited programs in firefighting, EMT/paramedic training, or law enforcement in Ohio. Both new and past recipients are encouraged to apply, fostering continued education and career advancement in public safety fields.

Service to Success Competitive Grant

The Service to Success program is a competitive grant funding opportunity through the Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Office of Public Service (OPS). The purpose of the Service to Success Grant is to create, strengthen, and expand career pathways aligned to public service opportunities. A service to career pathway, for the purposes of this opportunity, is defined as a public service program that provides sustained service opportunities to members/participants while also providing training, support, and exposure to a specific career opportunity. These opportunities may include a low or no cost way for members/participants to earn credits, credentials, certifications, or license in a specific career field that public service members can earn through the course of their service.

This Request for Proposals (RFP) seeks to fund programs that support the transition of individuals from public service, including AmeriCorps, VISTA, NCCC, etc. into sustainable career pathways. Programs are intended to align service-based experience with industry-recognized careers by building intentional bridges from service programs into the workforce.

Funds may be used to expand access to public service to career pathways (e.g. recruit more public service participants, add additional certifications to existing pathways, more career placements, etc.) and to fund innovations that create new education or workforce partnerships and/or create innovative service to career pathways (e.g. establish new pathways from service to careers, engaging new sectors in service to career). Where possible, programs will align with one of the following workforce priority areas: health/elder care, education, civil or public service, climate and environmental careers, food security/agriculture.

If an awarded organization is unable to expend the award or complete the grant execution, DEED reserves the right to reallocate awarded funds to other organizations who have been awarded Service to Success grants, have demonstrated satisfactory grant performance, and have the ability to utilize additional funds.

If awarded, DEED reserves the right to require changes to the awarded proposal at time of grant agreement negotiations.

A total of $712,500 will be available for grants for this grant funding cycle. Applicants may apply for:

• Up to $100,000 for grants for Expansion Grants
• Up to $50,000 for Innovation Grants

Summary

Through this Request for Proposals (“RFP”), the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center (“MassCEC”) is offering Students and Young Adults Equity Workforce Career Awareness and Training Grants. The Grants help provide direct funding and technical assistance support to organizations interested in career awareness and training programming focused on supporting students1 and young adults who are part of one or more of the following populations:

• Individuals from Environmental Justice (“EJ”) Neighborhoods or low-income communities;
• Members of federally recognized or state-acknowledged tribes;
• Members of underrepresented communities in the clean energy workforce; and
• Current or former workers from the fossil fuel industry (“Fossil Fuel Workers”).

Strand A: Clean Energy Career Awareness, Career Exploration, Career Navigation, and Preparedness

Strand B: Career Pathway Training with Work-based or Learning-based Opportunities

Strand C: Planning and Capacity Grants for Career Awareness or Career Pathways Training 

Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry

The Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) employs more than 5,000 workers in 200 offices statewide. Established in 1913, the department originally inspected the working conditions in factories around the state. Over time, the department's responsibilities expanded.

L&I administers benefits to unemployed individuals, oversees the administration of workers' compensation benefits to individuals with job-related injuries, and provides vocational rehabilitation to individuals with disabilities. The department prepares job seekers for the global workforce through employment and job training services for adult, youth, older workers, and dislocated workers. In addition, L&I enforces various laws and safety standards in the workplace and administers the commonwealth's programs for community service by young Pennsylvanians. L&I also promotes economic development and an improved business climate through a variety of initiatives and programs to help Pennsylvania's workforce remain world-class and globally competitive.

Pennsylvania’s Workforce Professionals in Digital Infrastructure (WPDI)

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) announces the availability of approximately $2 million in funding through the Workforce Professionals in Digital Infrastructure (WPDI) Grant. One grant will be awarded through a competitive process. L&I developed this grant opportunity as part of a broader, collaborative framework to align workforce strategies with both regional economic development goals and statewide priorities. The WPDI Grant is designed to support the development of a comprehensive investment plan focused on building regional capacity and creating industry-led solutions to ensure Pennsylvanians have the appropriate skills and experiences essential to the construction, power, supply and operations of Pennsylvania’s digital infrastructure—particularly in the data center sector.

Training and workforce strategies funded through this grant will be data-informed and guided by labor market insights. The goal is to ensure that the resulting employment opportunities are high-quality—offering strong wages, benefits, career advancement potential, and alignment with industry standards for worker protections and long-term stability—including those commonly associated with union-covered roles. The selected awardee will create a regional response team of dedicated partners with the expertise, experience and capacity to jointly address the in-demand workforce needs of a data center located in Salem Township, Luzerne County.

Title: State Training School – Supplementary Support Services for Individuals in State Correctional Institutions

Funding Period:

July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026

General Information

The purpose of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) is to develop more fully the academic and career, and technical skills of secondary and post-secondary students who elect to enroll in career and technical education programs. Funds made available under this Act for career and technical education activities are provided to supplement and supplant non-federal funds expended to carry out career and technical education activities.

Purpose

The funds are to provide supplementary support services for individuals participating in career and technical education programs offered in State correctional institutions. The services assist these individuals in completing career and technical education programs that prepare them for high-skill, high-wage, or high-demand occupations that will lead to self-sufficiency.

Targeted Population

Individuals in State correctional institutions participating in career and technical education programs.

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

The mission of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is to create equitable economic opportunities across the State of Illinois. By attracting and supporting major job creators, investing in communities, strengthening Illinois’ world-class workforce, fostering innovation, and ushering in the new clean energy economy, DCEO works to fortify Illinois’ reputation as a global economic powerhouse while ensuring Illinois is the best state to live, work and do business.

Manufacturing Training Academies

Program Description

The Manufacturing Training Academies Grant Program will provide capital grants to establish advanced workforce training facilities at downstate Illinois community colleges (defined as community college districts located outside Cook and the collar counties). The workforce training to be subsequently provided will foster development in manufacturing operations aligned with priority industries identified in the Illinois Economic Growth Plan. Priority industries relevant to this opportunity include:

• Life Sciences;
• Quantum Computing, AI, and Microelectronics;
• Clean Energy Production and Manufacturing;
• Advanced Manufacturing; and
• Next Generation Agriculture, Ag Tech and Food Processing.

These capital grants may fund the construction of facilities and purchases of durable equipment needed to establish manufacturing training academies. Specialized manufacturing training academies will foster development of priority industries, greater opportunities in high-wage careers, increased specialization, and increased industry support and collaboration in manufacturing workforce training. 

Who We Are & What We Do

On November 26, 1997, a small group of citizens with an abundance of enthusiasm embarked on a mission to secure the quality of life in our region now and forever. By yearend, they had a modest $1,050. Through commitment and vision, the Quincy Area Community Foundation expanded and grew to become the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri. 

Serving 12 counties on both sides of the Mississippi River, we operate as a bridge between our donors’ charitable visions and the nonprofit organizations that bring those visions to life. 

Communityworks Endowment Fund

Communities in Illinois, Missouri, and across the country face challenges in early childhood education, workforce development, and land use and protection. However, many lack the resources to address and advance them. In 2003, the Grand Victoria Foundation (GVF) launched the Communityworks initiative to strengthen Illinois Community Foundations’ ability to do so.

After securing three rounds of support from GVF and leading a two-year effort to identify challenges and opportunities in these three target areas, your Community Foundation established its Communityworks Endowment Fund, which is open to 501(c)(3) organizations or units of government that advances workforce development, childcare, and early childhood education in Adams, Brown, Hancock, and Pike Counties, IL.

Meanwhile, the Community Foundation continues to evaluate changing needs and opportunities in these critical focus areas in order to make strategic, meaningful grants.

CommunityWorks Fund Priorities

ISSUE AREA 1

Early Childhood Education Long-Term Vision:

• To have a large pool of educated providers who see themselves as professionals who take advantage of the ongoing opportunities to grow in their field.
• To educate parents on the benefits and value of choosing quality child care.
• Increase revenue streams for child care providers over and above parent fees and raise value / respect for child care profession.

Early Childhood Education Short-term Vision:

• Improve the quality and quantity of the region’s child care settings.

Goals:

• Encourage providers to maintain and improve the quality of their child care programs.
• Increase community awareness of child care's impact on our communities.
• Strengthen the relationship and involvement between parents, providers, and employers.
• Improve provider retention in the child care field.

ISSUE AREA 2

Workforce Development Long-Term Vision:

• Ensure current and future workers are prepared with the skills needed to fill a variety of existing, expanding, and new employment opportunities that provide livable wages and benefits to ensure workforce sustainability.

Workforce Development Short-term Vision:

• Improve essential and technical skills in the region.

Goals:

• Identify high-priority workforce needs and individuals to help fill them.
• Increase access to and participation in skills training to fulfill high-priority workforce needs.
• Reduce barriers for individuals to enter the workforce.
• Provide supports for individuals to successfully remain in the workforce.

The SPC Cares Foundation

The SPC Cares Foundation was established in 2024 as a way for SPC Credit Union to strategically support four key development issues identified within our community: Hunger, Housing, Employment, & Education. The Foundation supports our local communities through monetary donations, in-kind donation drives, and volunteerism.

Community Impact Fund

Community Impact funds are available to support nonprofit organizations that are strengthening and improving communities where SPC Members live, work, or attend school. Preference is given to organizations that address our four funding areas (hunger, housing, employment, & education). Education-related projects or initiatives must promote finance, employment, workforce readiness, or leadership.

Applications for funding are reviewed quarterly by the SPC Cares Foundation Advisory Board.

The National Security Workforce Graduate Scholarship, launched by the LANL Foundation in partnership with Los Alamos National Laboratory, aims to strengthen the pipeline of Northern New Mexico students pursuing advanced degrees in vital science, engineering, and management fields. Eligible candidates must be residents of the region and enroll in relevant master's or doctoral programs. This scholarship not only supports academic growth but also fosters future careers at LANL, contributing to national security advancements.

The Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania (WEDnetPA) Grant offers funding for training programs aimed at enhancing the skills of new and existing employees. This initiative is a collaboration between community colleges and educational institutions, designed to address the workforce needs of Pennsylvania's business sector. Applications are accepted year-round, with quarterly approvals, ensuring ongoing support for workforce development.