Best Workforce Grants in Puerto Rico

Current or recent NHLBI career development award recipients conducting workforce preparation or career-readiness research in Puerto Rico can seek small grants to extend existing projects or launch new studies. Grants from the National Institutes of Health help investigators generate preliminary data and publications needed to support their transition to independent research funding.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing skilled trades workforce training or capacity-building solutions, including those serving Puerto Rico, can apply for the Blackrock Foundation’s Future Builders grants; awards US $500,000 - US $1,000,000 for high-quality programs. Eligible projects include pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, workforce training, wraparound supports, and systems-level ecosystem or technology initiatives.

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) offers training programs through the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER) to enhance special education research. For FY 2027, the focus is on Methods Training, particularly on analyzing large datasets related to learners with disabilities. This initiative supports early career researchers and current education researchers in developing rigorous methodologies to address significant educational challenges, aiming to inform policy and practice in special education.

The Higher Education Challenge Grants Program, managed by the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, aims to enhance institutional capacities in food and agricultural sciences education. This initiative focuses on improving curriculum, faculty, and student recruitment for master's and doctoral programs, particularly in veterinary medicine. By strengthening these educational frameworks, the program seeks to ensure the availability of skilled professionals in critical agricultural sectors.

The Fiscal Year 2026 Funding Allotments provide comprehensive guidance for the RESEA program, detailing definitions, funding formulas, and program design requirements. It outlines the involvement of UI agency staff, performance reporting, and evidence-based interventions. The UIPL emphasizes the importance of program evaluation and the submission process for the RESEA State Plan, ensuring states can effectively utilize the funds to enhance unemployment insurance reemployment services.

State workforce agencies and partners creating or expanding industry-driven training programs in Puerto Rico and other U.S. jurisdictions can access funding through the US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration. Grants of US $3,000,000 - US $8,000,000 support outcomes-based reimbursement to employers for upskilling current workers and building pipelines for in-demand jobs.

Health and workforce development organizations in Puerto Rico and other eligible U.S. jurisdictions can seek funding to conduct research on health workforce needs and trends. US HHS: Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) awards US $450,000 - US $900,000 to support studies that inform federal, state, and local decision-makers.

Public housing authorities and related entities providing workforce preparation, employment services, and housing support in Puerto Rico can apply for US $1,600,000 - US $3,700,000 through the Jobs Plus NOFO. Focused on workforce readiness and affordable housing, US HUD: Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) invites proposals serving residents in public housing communities.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored groups working on technology education, workforce development, or small business support, including in Puerto Rico, can seek funding for scalable community programs. Affirm Cares backs initiatives in technology access, coding academies, bootcamps, and related workforce readiness efforts that create measurable, sustainable impact.

Students who are permanent U.S. residents with diagnosed thalassemia and enrolled in eligible degree, certificate, or vocational programs can receive $500–$1,000 to advance their education and career goals. Focused on higher education and workforce preparation, Cooley’s Anemia Foundation invites applicants, including those from Puerto Rico, to support tuition for the 2025–2026 academic year.

Nonprofit organizations offering STEM education, youth development, or workforce readiness and life advancement programs, including those in Puerto Rico, can access funding via AFL Global’s community grants. AFL Community Grants support education, job readiness, and self-sufficiency initiatives that help children, youth, and adults build skills and pursue employment.

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

Community development organizations focused on workforce readiness, housing, small business, or equitable development that are active NCRC members can host a graduate fellow through this nationwide program, including Puerto Rico. Grants from the National Community Reinvestment Coalition help hosts advance impactful projects while mentoring emerging community development leaders at little to no cost.

Future of Work Accelerator

A program of HP Inc. and the HP Foundation

In an increasingly digital world, people without access to technology and the skills to use it are often locked out of economic opportunity. The Accelerator helps scale the impact of organizations that are working to change this.  

Since 2022, the Accelerator has served 35 nonprofit organizations across 13 countries, helping them reach an additional 11.3 million people. 

As a joint program of HP and the HP Foundation, the Accelerator offers selected organizations USD$100,000 in funding, HP technology & solutions (~USD$100,000 value), and a six-month, virtual program designed to strengthen capacity and scale impact.  Exciting changes are ahead for the 5th year of the Accelerator. 

AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Opportunity

About RSVP

Established in 1971 and now one of the largest senior volunteer programs in the nation, AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP engages people ages 55 and older in a diverse range of volunteer activities. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers tutor children, help prepare simple taxes, assist victims of natural disasters, provide nutrition/food support, facilitate opioid and substance abuse education workshops, and serve in their communities in many other ways. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers choose how, where, and how often they want to serve, with commitments ranging from a few hours to a maximum of 40 hours per week. While serving, AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP volunteers improve their own lives by staying active and civically engaged. 

Funding Priorities

AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP programming is designed to meet community needs. Applicants may propose activities intended to address community needs by thoroughly explaining the unmet need and activities to be completed by volunteers to address that need. In addition, AmeriCorps is interested in programming that addresses agency priorities. AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP priorities for this funding opportunity are:

• Supporting Older Adults and Caregivers: Provide respite, support groups, system navigation, care coordination, and resources for older adults, including custodial grandparents, and caregivers.
• Helping Older Adults Re-enter the Workforce: Offer job readiness, mentoring, training, and remove barriers to employment for older adults (volunteers provide services, not seek jobs).
• Building Strong Families: Support parents in helping children succeed, mentor parents, connect families to resources, and strengthen community partnerships.
• Preventing and Mitigating Fraud and Scams: Use digital navigators and other strategies to protect older adults from financial fraud and exploitation, including emerging AI-driven scams.
• Reducing Homelessness: Develop or renovate affordable housing, assist people experiencing homelessness in finding and maintaining permanent housing, and address housing needs for vulnerable populations.
• Supporting Behavioral Health Initiatives: Improve mental health, reduce isolation, prevent substance use, provide harm reduction tools (Naloxone, fentanyl test strips), peer support, and recovery services.

Award Funding Requirements

Applicants must construct the budget in the following manner. The federal share of the budget must not exceed $75,000 plus up to $350 for every unduplicated volunteer, whether or not they serve in an outcome-based work plan. 

What We Do

At the North Carolina Community Foundation, we bring together generous people and connect them to causes and organizations they care about.

Our mission is to inspire North Carolinians to make lasting and meaningful contributions to their communities.

Our Philanthropic Network

We believe in the power of permanent philanthropy to strengthen our communities and people. By stewarding and growing donors’ gifts, our philanthropic network makes a powerful impact through robust grants and scholarships programs.

Geraldine Mayo Beveridge Scholarship Endowment

About Geraldine Mayo Beveridge

Geraldine “Gerry” Mayo Beveridge taught school in Carteret County for 40 years. She was a Home Economics teacher and thought of her students as her children; she and husband “Captain David” had none of their own. Gerry would discreetly provide classroom supplies and clothing items for students in need. She quietly contributed money toward college for capable students who couldn’t afford it.

Gerry’s concern for students continued after retirement. As a member of the Carteret County Retired School Personnel (CCRSP), Gerry convinced members of the importance of awarding a scholarship to a graduating senior in each high school – East Carteret, West Carteret, and later, Croatan. To raise money, she organized bake sales and brought plants and canned foods to sell to members. The scholarships, though small, were a great effort for members and were greatly appreciated by recipients.

Gerry left a considerable sum of money to CCRSP with the expectation that it be managed well and used for scholarships. Today, the Geraldine Mayo Beveridge Scholarship is awarded to qualifying graduating seniors who want to teach Vocational Education, now called Career and Technical Education.

Gerry’s passion for her students and her love of education continues through this scholarship. She was an amazing educator whose philanthropy will last in perpetuity.

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) focuses on enhancing education and workforce development in food and agricultural sciences. It invites applications for various grants aimed at professional development, non-formal education for youth, community college training, and fellowships for both predoctoral and postdoctoral candidates. The program, managed by the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, emphasizes the cultivation of skills necessary for the future workforce in agriculture, with multiple deadlines for submissions.

The NRF Foundation provides access to the education and opportunities needed for successful retail careers, helping people build better lives and stronger communities.

Retail Training Initiative

Building Career Pathways Through Retail Training

The NRF Foundation Retail Training Initiative expands access to industry‑recognized retail training and credentials for job seekers across the United States. Through partnerships with community‑based organizations, workforce development providers, and educational institutions, the fund equips individuals with the skills, confidence, and credentials needed to secure meaningful employment and advance in retail and related industries.

Retail is the nation’s largest private‑sector employer and offers accessible entry points, transferable skills, and clear pathways for career growth. By investing in training that aligns with employer needs, the NRF Foundation Retail Training Initiative helps individuals overcome barriers to employment while strengthening the talent pipeline for the retail industry and beyond.

Organizations selected to participate in the NRF Foundation Retail Training Initiative receive support designed to help them deliver high‑quality, employer‑aligned training programs, including:

• Access to the NRF Foundation RISE Up training and credentialing program
• Capacity awards to support program implementation and delivery
• Tools and resources to help participants earn industry‑recognized credentials

Together, these resources help organizations expand their impact and better support job seekers on their path to employment and career growth.

Adam R Scripps Foundation

Adam Scripps lived a life of humble generosity, helping to improve the lives of others without seeking recognition or fanfare for himself. The family-run Adam R. Scripps Foundation, established posthumously in 2023, allocates millions annually to his cherished causes like animal welfare and community development, with grants overseen by his relatives to honor his legacy.

Honoring Adam’s legacy, we make grants to collaborate, provide support and build resources that create opportunities and transformative pathways. For generations to come, we will improve lives and transform communities because we are a leader in family philanthropy. We value helping communities create lasting change. We do this through compassion, love of neighbor, humility, and generosity.

Self-Sufficiency Grant

Self-sufficiency is not just crucial for individuals; it’s also vital to the communities in which they live. As Adam did in his lifetime, his foundation will focus on initiatives to address employment, food insecurity, housing/homelessness, and critical human needs.

• Housing Access
  • Housing instability can negatively affect job security, academic performance, and physical and mental health.
  • Programs designed to help keep people in stable homes, including emergency shelter, rental assistance programs, transitional housing, and subsidized housing units, can help combat housing instability and promote self-sufficiency. 
• Food Insecurity
  • Persistent poverty in communities increases food insecurity and threatens child welfare.
  • Children deserve full plates and a system (beyond the child welfare bureaucracy) that will fight for them. Recognizing their importance to stability and eventually mobility, we support programs that meet the unique needs of children in vulnerable situations, address the needs of their caregivers and provide consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life. 
• Employment Barriers
  • Barriers to employment have detrimental impacts on individuals and families.
  • Economic development programming focused on business growth, job creation, entrepreneurship, financial well-being, job readiness, and stable employment will be embraced by the foundation because of their lasting benefits to individuals, families and communities.

Puerto Rico students with eligible thalassemia diagnoses pursuing college, graduate, or vocational education can access funding through Cooley’s Anemia Foundation to support tuition and training costs. U.S. permanent residents registered with the foundation may receive US $250 - US $2,000 for associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, or certificate and vocational programs that build workforce readiness.

With a mission to expand educational access, this program provides Puerto Rico students interested in law and workforce preparation with a seven-week paid Josh Dubin Fellowship experience. Current Shawn Carter Foundation scholars pursuing their first undergraduate degree in the U.S. gain legal research experience, mentoring, site visits, and additional scholarship support for college expenses.

Puerto Rico students interested in retail careers can access workforce preparation and job readiness support through the NRF Foundation Bright Futures Scholarship, which covers travel and lodging to the 2026 NRF Foundation Student Program in New York City. Eligible undergraduate students gain exposure to retail career paths, recruiters, and industry leaders to advance their workforce prospects.

Undergraduate students interested in retail careers and brand licensing can receive workforce preparation support through the NRF Foundation x Licensing International Scholarship, including a US $5,000 tuition award and trip to New York City. Grants from NRF Foundation help Puerto Rico students in accredited U.S. colleges access career exploration, networking, and job readiness opportunities in the retail industry.