Best Job Creation Grants in Utah

Nonprofit charitable organizations in Utah working on job creation, workforce preparation, and community development can seek funding that supports neighbors, education, and workforce initiatives. With a mission to improve lives through economic inclusion and thriving futures, KeyBank Foundation provides US $10,000 - US $25,000 grants for affordable housing, small business growth, employment services, and financial literacy programs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on job creation, workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, or affordable housing in Utah can access funding and leadership development through the Neighborhood Builders Program. Grants from Bank of America Charitable Foundation help build nonprofit capacity while advancing economic opportunity, income creation, and stable housing in eligible local markets.

Utah 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on basic needs, job creation, and economic mobility can access funding through Bank of America Charitable Foundation to support low- and moderate-income communities. Eligible organizations must operate in Bank of America’s designated local markets and align with priorities like income creation, small business resiliency, and community development for vulnerable populations.

Arbor Rising provides Utah nonprofits focused on job creation and pathways out of poverty with US $125,000 - US $175,000 per year in unrestricted, multi-year support plus intensive consulting. 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored groups with at least one full-time staff member and mid-sized budgets may be eligible for this capacity-building partnership.

Nonprofit organizations in Utah that primarily serve low- and moderate-income communities can seek up to US $5,000 for job development, economic development, community revitalization, or affordable housing projects. Washington Federal Foundation supports programs near WaFd Bank branches that create or retain jobs and strengthen local economies, including small business support and workforce training.

Utah nonprofits and eligible 501(c) or 170(c) organizations working on economic and community development, workforce readiness, or financial wellness can benefit from employee-directed matching gifts that support their programs. Focused on community prosperity, Regions Bank invites organizations within its footprint to receive matches when full-time associates contribute directly to their work.

Investing in Our Communities

Regions Bank and Regions Foundation are committed to helping individuals, families, and businesses achieve financial success.

We work alongside nonprofit organizations, local businesses, government and service agencies to address social and economic issues, assist in building inclusive economic prosperity and help more members of our communities benefit from the rewards of a growing economy.

We make strategic and disciplined community investments in programs that seek to achieve three target outcomes:

Economic and Community Development

• Affordable housing
• Job creation
• Small business development
• Homebuyer education and retention
• Neighborhood revitalization and stabilization

Education and Workforce Readiness

• Student competency and skill building
• College and career readiness
• Educational access and success
• Credential building and employment
• Educator training and resources

Financial Wellness

• Financial education to youth, adults, and vulnerable populations
• Financial planning tools and resources, including Regions Next Step®
• Integrated asset-building

Nonprofit organizations providing job development, economic development, or related services for low- and moderate-income communities in Utah can apply for micro grants from Washington Federal Foundation. Awards of US $1,000 - US $5,000 support workforce training, small business support, and community revitalization programs near WaFd Bank branches that help create and sustain jobs.

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.

Utah tribal governments and Alaska Native villages focused on community and economic development can access funding through US HUD: Office of Public and Indian Housing to improve housing, living environments, and job-creating opportunities. Awards of US $500,000 - US $2,000,000 support projects that primarily benefit low- and moderate-income tribal residents and may include imminent threat needs affecting health or safety.

Nonprofits and public agencies in Utah working on senior services, workforce readiness, housing, or poverty reduction can apply for Volunteer Mississippi’s AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Opportunity, with awards up to US $75,000 to support volunteer-driven programs. Projects that help older adults re-enter the workforce or reduce homelessness may be especially relevant for job creation goals.

City governments working on municipal workforce and job creation initiatives in Utah can apply for the Municipal Workforce Learning Lab, an intensive technical assistance opportunity. Focused on workforce development, Georgia Municipal Association and partners invite cities to receive free coaching, peer learning, and support to improve recruitment, training, and retention of local government employees.

Utah nonprofits focused on rural economic and job creation can access funding through USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture to establish and operate rural cooperative development centers. These centers provide technical assistance to start, expand, or improve cooperatives and mutually owned rural businesses, with awards up to US $1,000,000 supporting job growth and value-added processing.

Nonprofit organizations serving people living with paralysis in rural, low-income, or unserved Utah communities can seek up to US $40,000 for accessibility and community participation projects. Focus areas include transportation, assistive technology, employment and education, telehealth, and related supports that may foster job readiness and economic opportunity.

Nonprofit-led community partnerships implementing publicly funded infrastructure projects that create jobs and workforce pathways in Utah can seek US $45,000 - US $120,000 for planning, collaboration, and community engagement. The Funders' Network’s Partners for Places initiative supports job creation, workforce development, and equitable contracting, with a required 50% match from place-based or regional funders and strong emphasis on water-related projects.

Utah job creation and workforce development nonprofits can access funding through the H Hovnanian Family Foundation for projects that advance entrepreneurship, youth leadership, community development, and job creation, with awards up to US $10,000. 501(c)(3) organizations with at least one year of outcomes may be eligible, especially those strengthening local economies.

Emerging and mid-career leaders across sectors working on economic opportunity, job creation, and social equity in the U.S., including Utah, can receive US $5,000 stipends through this five-month Big Bets Fellowship. Rockefeller Foundation provides intensive leadership training, peer and mentor support, and access to a global network to advance transformative, systems-level solutions.

Dental students, residents, and early-career dentists in Utah can receive funding to attend approved leadership training that advances oral health education and employment opportunities. Focused on leadership development, the ADA Foundation invites applicants whose work expands access to quality dental care and improves public oral health to apply for the Dr. David Whiston Leadership Award, which provides US $5,000 for course and related expenses.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits with audited expenses over $2 million that run proven job creation and job training programs, including in Utah, can apply for the William Randolph Hearst Foundation’s Social Service Grant; awards more than US $100,000 for program, capital, or general support. Organizations should demonstrate large-scale impact and sustainability.

Organizations creating jobs or supporting entrepreneurs in impoverished communities in Utah can access funding through Fish Family Foundation of Maine for small business support and employment initiatives. This faith-based funder also considers projects in missions, education scholarships, independent churches and ministries, and medical research, with requests reviewed monthly and submitted by signed postal application.

The Grand Rapids Community Foundation's Fund for Community Good supports projects that promote equity and justice across various sectors, including education, health, and economic prosperity. This unrestricted fund invites partnerships with 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities, primarily focusing on Kent County, Michigan. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that dismantle systemic racism and foster inclusive opportunities, ensuring all community members can thrive. Eligible applicants can submit pre-applications year-round for potential funding.

The Sustainable Forests and Communities Grant aims to foster environmentally and economically sustainable forest communities in the U.S., particularly where the Weyerhaeuser Family has interests. It prioritizes projects enhancing the environment, economy, and community through sustainable practices. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities operating in forested areas, focusing on integrated approaches that value forest ecosystem services. This initiative encourages local job creation, sustainable economic activities, and innovative partnerships to achieve sustainability goals.