Best Workforce Grants in Connecticut

Connecticut 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing workforce preparation, job readiness, or related community services can seek up to US $25,000 for program, capacity-building, or capital needs. Focus areas for Northwest Community Bank Foundation include employment skills, youth development, women’s empowerment, basic human services, housing, and broader community impact in the bank’s service communities.

501(c)(3) nonprofits in Connecticut offering workforce development programs such as job training, career education, and career coaching can apply for Citizens Charitable Foundation’s Workforce Development grants. Eligible organizations must pass an online eligibility quiz and focus on program support rather than general operations or capital campaigns.

Connecticut 501(c)(3) nonprofits running workforce preparation, education, or community development programs can seek US $1,000 - US $10,000 to support events and initiatives within Eversource’s service territory. Grants from Eversource Energy Foundation help workforce and job readiness efforts alongside community wellness, clean energy, environmental stewardship, and community engagement priorities.

Connecticut workforce and community organizations can access funding for work-based learning and employment subsidy initiatives through the State of Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy. These grants support job readiness, workforce preparation, and broader economic and community development efforts across the state, aligning with the Governor’s Workforce Council strategic plan.

Nonprofit organizations building pathways out of poverty through education, job training, or workforce readiness in Connecticut can apply for multi-year support, including US $125,000 - US $175,000 annually in unrestricted funding and intensive consulting. Arbor Brothers supports second-stage 501(c)(3) organizations with modest budgets and at least one full-time staff member across the lower 48 states.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with at least three years of operation and $100,000+ budgets can seek funding for workforce preparation, job readiness, and related programs in Connecticut. RBC Foundation USA supports initiatives that build in-demand skills, provide work experiences, and help people bridge education to employment in communities where it has a business presence.

Nonprofit organizations in Connecticut can seek funding for capital projects, purchases, and programs that include workforce preparation and job readiness initiatives. Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority provides competitive grants of US $5,000 - US $75,000 to educational, healthcare, childcare, cultural, and other eligible not-for-profit entities across the state.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and schools running manufacturing-focused workforce programs in Connecticut can apply for grants from American Honda, with awards ranging from US $25,000 - US $100,000. Funding supports hands-on training in design, data analytics, automation, and AI that strengthens the manufacturing workforce pipeline in communities where Honda associates live and work.

Nonprofit charitable organizations in Connecticut can seek funding for workforce preparation, job readiness, and education programs that build thriving futures. Grants from KeyBank Foundation help support affordable housing, small business growth, financial literacy, and academic and career success initiatives, with awards ranging from US $10,000 - US $25,000 in states where the bank operates.

Connecticut students pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree or Alabama-approved workforce training can access funding through the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama for higher education and job readiness. This one-time scholarship supports full-time study at any accredited U.S. institution, covering tuition, housing, books, supplies, and fees, subject to available fund assets.

Nonprofit organizations supporting people living with paralysis through workforce readiness, transportation, assistive technology, health, or related services in rural, low-income Connecticut communities can apply for Priority Impact Tier 3 funding, with awards up to US $40,000. With a mission to enhance quality of life, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation provides support for projects improving access, independence, and community participation.

Nonprofit organizations supporting employment or nursing home transition for people living with paralysis can apply for Priority Impact Tier 4 grants, including work in Connecticut. Focused on workforce readiness and independent living, the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation offers up to US $50,000 for programs completed within 24 months.

Undergraduate students interested in retail store leadership and workforce preparation in Connecticut can receive tuition support and career exposure through this scholarship. Grants from NRF Foundation help U.S. college and community college students attend the NRF Foundation Student Program in New York City and access recruiters for internships and entry-level retail roles, with awards of US $10,000.

Connecticut undergraduate students preparing for retail and brand licensing careers can receive tuition support and career exposure through this scholarship, which awards US $5,000 and a trip to New York City. Focused on workforce preparation and job readiness, the NRF Foundation and Licensing International support students in business, marketing, design, engineering, e-commerce, and related fields.

Undergraduate college students in Connecticut interested in retail careers can receive up to US $1,200 in need-based support to attend the 2026 NRF Foundation Student Program in New York City. NRF Foundation provides U.S. higher education students with travel and hotel funding to explore workforce preparation, job readiness, and business education opportunities in retail.

Connecticut students interested in legal careers and broader workforce preparation can access funding through the Josh Dubin Fellowship, a seven-week paid professional and educational experience. Open to current Shawn Carter Foundation scholars nationwide, this program offers legal research, case analysis, mentorship, site visits, and additional scholarship support to help undergraduates persist in higher education and build job-ready skills.

Connecticut students with diagnosed thalassemia pursuing workforce preparation, higher education, or vocational training can access funding through Cooley’s Anemia Foundation; awards range from US $250 - US $2,000 for certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral programs. Applicants must be permanent U.S. residents registered with the foundation and enrolled for fall 2025 and/or spring 2026.

Students in Connecticut pursuing higher education or vocational training and who are children of U.S. individuals with severe thalassemia can receive $500 - $1,000 toward tuition and related costs. Grants from Cooley’s Anemia Foundation support workforce preparation and college or certificate programs for eligible applicants registered with the foundation and permanently residing in the U.S.

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 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.

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.

Wegmans Family Foundation Inc focuses on cultivating healthy communities through support for hunger relief, health initiatives, education, and youth programs. They prioritize collaborations with local nonprofits to enhance community well-being, offering assistance in key areas like economic mobility and youth engagement. Despite their wide-ranging support, they have specific ineligibility criteria, such as not accommodating personal requests or solicitation on their property, aiming to direct resources effectively where they are needed most.

The Building Hope: Future Forward Schools Prize & Fellowship Program aims to enhance career exploration for middle and high school students. This initiative, launched by Building Hope in partnership with American Student Assistance, recognizes schools that excel in career-connected learning. Awardees receive funding, mentorship, and resources to empower students from diverse backgrounds, ensuring they develop essential skills for future success. With $50,000 available for five schools, this program fosters innovation and prepares students for a changing economy.

The Municipal Workforce Learning Lab, initiated by the National League of Cities in partnership with the American Institutes for Research, aims to tackle workforce challenges faced by city governments. The program seeks three cities to engage in an 8-month action planning process focused on recruiting, training, and retaining skilled workers. Participants will receive free coaching and technical assistance, helping them enhance their workforce policies and potentially serve as national models for effective local government employment strategies.

About NCRC

The National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) is a nationwide network of nearly 800 organizations and champions working for a Just Economy, where all Americans can build wealth and provide for their families with stability and dignity.

Our vision: To solve America’s historic racial and socio-economic wealth, income and opportunity divides. This vision is the foundation of the Just Economy Pledge.

Fellowship for Equitable Development

The National Community Reinvestment Coalition matches top-level graduate degree students with premiere community development organizations.

NCRC is looking for fellowship projects that move the needle on housing, small business development, and workforce development. Projects may directly result in community outcomes in these focus areas, or involve work with community members to create plans or project pipelines that will solve local issues in these areas.

The NCRC Fellowship cultivates the next generation of community development leaders and empowers them to tackle the issues of tomorrow. The community development sector will face significant challenges in the coming decades from climate change, widening wealth gaps, food insecurities, extreme housing shortages and other needs. These challenges will disproportionately impact low-wealth communities and communities of color. Therefore, it is NCRC’s intention and pledge to uphold the values of community empowerment in the fellowship program.

Interested students and host organizations must apply for this fellowship opportunity.

Program Benefits for Student Fellows Include:

• High-quality training and support from regional leaders in the nonprofit, government, planning and community development fields
• A $20,000 stipend for the eight-month, part-time (20-hours per week) fellowship
• The opportunity to meet with leaders in the nonprofit, government, planning and community development fields
• Academic credit, in accordance with the policies of the Fellows’ respective universities
• Complimentary admission to the NCRC annual Just Economy Conference

Program Benefits for Host Organizations Include:

• Fresh, innovative talent to help advance organizational mission
• The opportunity to help shape the next generation of community development leaders
• Participation in a fellowship program at little to no cost

The Process

1. NCRC Members Apply; 2. NCRC Selects Member Projects; 3. Students Apply To Selected Projects; 4. Top Student Candidates Interviewed; 5. NCRC & Member Select Student Fellow; 6. NCRC Onboards Member & Student 7. Fellowship Commences

Student Fellow Applications

Fellow applications will open for eligible students once host projects have been reviewed and finalists selected. Students will apply to be considered for a specific host project. Top student candidates will be interviewed by NCRC as well as the host organization.

Fellow Requirements

• Must provide documentation confirming active enrollment (i.e. Letter of Enrollment from Registrar or transcript)
• Must commit to fellowship for full Period of September 14, 2026-May 14, 2027 academic school year
• Must commit to a 20 hour/week fellowship
• Must commit to a schedule with at least one day per week in-office of host organization

The Career Development Bridge Funding Award: K Supplement, offered by the Rheumatology Research Foundation, supports junior investigators transitioning to independent research. Awarded up to $50,000 annually for a maximum of two years, it supplements NIH K series or VA CDA awards. Eligible applicants must hold a doctoral degree and be in the second, third, or fourth year of their existing award. This funding is crucial for developing new projects that contribute to the field of rheumatology.

Connecticut workforce organizations and other U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits can access funding for STEM education, career readiness, human services, and health and wellness programs. The World Wide Technology Foundation’s Global Community Impact grants support initiatives in workforce development, social justice, basic needs, and physical or mental health for eligible organizations across the country.