Best Workforce Grants

The John Jordan Foundation Grant is dedicated to enhancing the lives of vulnerable communities through targeted initiatives. With a broad focus on youth empowerment, educational readiness, health, and animal welfare, this grant aims to create lasting positive impacts. Organizations aligned with the Foundation's mission are encouraged to apply for funding to support their vital work. The Foundation prioritizes community needs, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to those who need them the most.

The BECU Foundation's People Helping People Awards honor exceptional nonprofit work in communities served by BECU. Each year, BECU members can nominate organizations for grants up to $50,000. Eligible nonprofits must be active 501(c)(3) organizations with a direct impact in Idaho, Oregon, South Carolina, or Washington. This initiative highlights the importance of community service and encourages members to recognize local heroes making a difference.

The Rasmuson Foundation, established in 1955, aims to empower Alaskans through program-related investments (PRIs). These financial tools, which include loans and equity investments, support charitable projects in housing, economic development, and nonprofit facilities. By increasing access to credit for nonprofits and community developers, the Foundation fosters homeownership, entrepreneurship, and community stability, while avoiding high-risk ventures that stray from its charitable mission.

The Alaska Airlines Foundation Grant supports youth in underserved areas of Alaska and Hawaii, focusing on empowering young people through career exploration, mentorship, and skill development. Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000, prioritizing organizations that demonstrate partnership and sustainability. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that do not discriminate based on protected categories. Funds should be utilized within a year, with grants not exceeding 10% of the organization's budget or 50% of the program budget.

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.

The Adult Basic Education Direct Services program aims to enhance adult literacy and education, assisting individuals in gaining essential skills for employment and self-sufficiency. Funded through WIOA Title II, it addresses the needs of diverse adult learners, including those seeking high school equivalency and English language improvement. Emphasizing partnerships with local agencies, the program fosters community engagement while providing year-round, real-time instructional support to help participants achieve their educational and career goals.

About Serve Colorado

Serve Colorado works under the leadership of the Governor’s Commission on Community Service to distribute and administer Colorado AmeriCorps State funding from AmeriCorps, the federal agency. The mission of AmeriCorps is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic participation through service and volunteering.

Planning Grants

This Notice is for organizations interested in applying for a 2026-2027 Serve Colorado AmeriCorps State planning grant. An AmeriCorps planning grant provides organizations with resources to assess the feasibility, readiness, and design of a potential AmeriCorps program or to explore opportunities to deepen the reach, scale, impact, or effectiveness of existing service models. The goal is to develop a strong, sustainable program model that is responsive to community priorities and positioned to pursue future AmeriCorps operational funding. 

Serve Colorado is seeking planning grant applications in the following areas: 

• State Service Plan Alignment and Program Strengthening
• AmeriCorps Program Expansion into Colorado

Funding

Serve Colorado awards planning grants up to $150,000. The project period will be co-determined by the applicant and Serve Colorado based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the applicants’ familiarity with AmeriCorps organizational capacity, and proposed timeline. Per statute, the planning grant award may not last more than 365 days and cannot be extended for any reason.

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 Kenneth King Foundation's Removing Barriers to Employment Grant aims to enhance job creation and entrepreneurship in Colorado. With a focus on individuals facing economic challenges, this grant supports programs providing essential services like financial assistance and job training. Organizations must demonstrate a proven track record in fostering job placements with livable wages. Average grants range from $5,000 to $20,000, promoting sustainable growth and self-sufficiency within the community.

The National Parks Business Plan Internship aims to enhance the operational health of national parks through a graduate-level program that trains students in business management and NPS operations. Participants will engage in substantive analysis, gain insights into park management, and promote federal careers in conservation. This initiative seeks to involve underrepresented graduate students from disciplines such as business administration and public policy, fostering a commitment to stewardship of public lands.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing  this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to set forth the requirements for the Film and TV Workforce Training Grant Program funded through the Illinois Production Workforce Development Fund 35 IlCS 16/46. The training program will fund proposals to recruit, hire, promote, retain, develop, and train a diverse and inclusive workforce in the film industry. The training program will provide real-world, practical job skills to fulfill the demand of producers and studios, while providing job opportunities for Illinois residents, including unemployed individuals and individuals with barriers to employment

UPPA Fund

The Underground Plant Protection Account (UPPA) fund was created by Indiana Code § 8-1-26-24 with the express purpose of funding positive outreach to minimize underground facility damages. Per Indiana Code § 8-1-26-24, money in the UPPA fund may only be allocated to improve the safety of Indiana’s underground plant resources through:

• Public awareness programs concerning underground plant protection
• Training and educational programs for contractors, excavators, locators, operators, and other persons involved in underground plant protection
• Incentive programs for contractors, excavators, locators, operators, and other persons involved in underground plant protection to reduce the number of violations of the Indiana 811 law.

The Innovative Water Infrastructure Workforce Development Grant, offered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), aims to enhance career pipelines in the water utilities sector. This funding opportunity supports institutions and organizations in expanding access to water utility jobs through apprenticeship, education, and training programs. By fostering collaborations and increasing public awareness, the initiative seeks to address the workforce needs of water systems, contributing to community health and environmental protection.

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 

The Sorenson Legacy Foundation Grant aims to improve lives through support for education, health care, community development, and innovation. Established by James and Beverley Sorenson, the foundation focuses on enhancing art education, medical technologies, and community assistance in Utah. It prioritizes projects that foster artistic growth, promote innovative solutions, and address health care challenges while aiding vulnerable populations. The foundation's commitment to enriching lives reflects a deep-rooted belief in the power of education and community engagement.

The Vermont Equity & Justice Grant program, now closed due to fund depletion, aims to allocate $300,000 in 2025 to aid Vermont non-profits affected by federal actions. Organizations may apply for up to $15,000 and will be prioritized based on their work with marginalized communities, including immigrants and racial justice initiatives. Applications addressing needs caused by federal policies will be evaluated quarterly, focusing on preparation and planning support.

The Employment Social Enterprise (ESE) Technical Assistance (TA) Program, funded by the California Employment Development Department, offers up to $1 million for the 2024-25 program year. This initiative aims to assist vulnerable populations by providing tailored support to enhance employment outcomes through work-based learning and experience. The program focuses on overcoming barriers and promoting job skills in various industry sectors and regions across California.

The AES Hawaiʻi Foundation Grant supports communities near AES Hawaiʻi’s renewable energy projects, focusing on social justice, education, environmental stewardship, and community health. Preference is given to nonprofit organizations in these areas, but statewide entities may also apply. Successful projects should align with the Foundation’s impact pillars, demonstrate measurable community benefits, and address unmet needs, ensuring long-term positive effects on the local community.

Texas Workforce Commission

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is the state agency charged with overseeing and providing workforce development services to employers and job seekers of Texas. TWC strengthens the Texas economy by providing the workforce development component of the Governor's economic development strategy. Texas boasts an incredibly skilled workforce ready to attract enterprise to the Lone Star State. By focusing on the needs of employers, TWC gives Texas the competitive edge necessary to draw business here.

Self Sufficiency Fund Program

The Self Sufficiency Fund is a training grant to help individuals obtain industry recognized credentials and be placed in an occupation that provides a path toward Self Sufficiency. The program focuses on training for the following groups:

• Adult receiving government assistance such as Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
• Individuals at risk of becoming dependent on public assistance.
• Individuals earning less than $37,000 annually with a dependent child, custodial or non-custodial.
• Youth between the ages of 18-24 that are a part of a low-income household.

The Self Sufficiency program is administered by the Texas Workforce Commission, in partnership with public community and technical colleges, a higher education extension service, and community-based organizations, and is governed by the following rules and regulations:

• Texas Administrative Code, Title 40, Part 20, Chapter 835
• Texas Labor Code, Chapter 309

Program Requirements:

• Grantees must provide training that leads to an industry-recognized certificate or credential.
• Training can be for any target occupation or an occupation that is subject to approval by the local Workforce Development Board.
• Training must focus on core or support occupations that provide a path toward higher-level occupations.
• Various training methods are accepted, including classroom, simulations, and online instruction.
• Applicants may receive up to $500,000 for projects.
• Target cost is $2500 per trainee.
• Funding may include tuition, training materials, books and supplies.
• Job placement for participants is required and may be with any employer.

The Holloway Family Foundation, established in North Central Texas, aims to enhance community quality of life regardless of race, gender, or religion. Their mission focuses on financial security, creative expression for under-resourced youth, and mentorship for personal development. The foundation supports organizations that provide workforce training, artistic opportunities for children, and guidance for youth in need. By fostering individual growth and economic stability, they empower families and strengthen communities, staying true to the founders' core values and personal experiences.

The Technical Skills Training Grant (ND) is designed to support workforce development by funding training programs for displaced workers, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With three tracks, the grant offers financial assistance for non-degree training, internal upskilling, and automation-related training. Track A can provide up to $200,000, while Tracks B and C offer up to $100,000 and $200,000 respectively. This initiative aims to create a skilled workforce to meet labor market demands.

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 Bank of America Foundation Sponsorship Program aims to enhance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. This initiative focuses on critical areas such as workforce education, basic needs like food and housing, and community development. The Foundation invested $350 million last year and encourages employee volunteerism and giving, supporting nonprofits in various sectors, including arts, culture, and diversity initiatives.

The Heistand Family Foundation Grant aims to empower children in poverty through impactful programs and partnerships. The foundation prioritizes projects that enhance human health, community well-being, and education, focusing on practical applications. Nonprofit organizations and governmental entities are encouraged to apply, particularly those located in the Omaha/Council Bluffs area or western Iowa. This grant supports initiatives that foster job skills and improve the quality of life for disadvantaged children.

The Textron Charitable Trust Grants support U.S.-based nonprofit organizations and educational institutions focusing on workforce development, education, arts, culture, and community health. They emphasize initiatives that enhance employment opportunities and quality of life in communities where Textron operates. Grants foster volunteerism and corporate citizenship while excluding organizations that discriminate or are politically affiliated. Eligible entities include 501(c)(3) charities and accredited K-12 institutions, ensuring funds support impactful community programs.

Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts

The Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, a non-profit public charity, is the leading community foundation in the region, managing charitable funds established by individuals, families, businesses and other non-profit organizations.

Career Readiness and Educational Access

This grant program focuses on preparing local residents for family-supporting jobs through career-related training, post-secondary education and other educational initiatives.

Objective: Advance the economic wellness of residents of North Central Massachusetts by increasing their access to education and effective career development initiatives.

Priority: During this funding cycle, priority will be given to programs that equip residents for family-sustaining employment, including vocational training and pathways to college

Arbor Rising Grant, established in 2010, is a NYC-based nonprofit providing unrestricted multi-year funding and capacity-building support to nonprofits focused on alleviating poverty. The grant process occurs every three years, with the next round in 2025 being invitation-only. Eligible organizations must demonstrate high potential and effective leadership, typically operating on a modest budget. Arbor Rising prioritizes applicants from the NYC metro area while expanding to cover the lower 48 US states.