BlackRock Future Builders Grant Program

The BlackRock Future Builders initiative is a large-scale philanthropic effort funded by The BlackRock Foundation, designed to expand economic opportunity and strengthen the pipeline of skilled trades workers across the United States. With a total commitment of 100 million dollars, the initiative aims to support workforce development systems that prepare individuals for careers in high-demand infrastructure-related occupations. This Request for Proposals process represents a portion of that investment and is administered by Jobs for the Future, a national nonprofit organization focused on transforming education and workforce systems. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support nonprofit organizations that deliver or enable high-quality skilled trades training programs. Eligible projects may focus either on direct worker training or on broader capacity-building efforts that strengthen workforce systems. Training interventions may include pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, career navigation, and supportive services that help participants complete programs. Capacity-building proposals may include system coordination, technology adoption, research, and demonstration projects that improve efficiency and scalability within the workforce ecosystem. The BlackRock Foundation intends to allocate 25 million dollars across two funding cycles through this RFP, awarding grants ranging from 500000 to 1000000 dollars. Each award will support a two-year project period, and applicants must clearly align budgets with proposed activities and outcomes. Funds must be used strictly for charitable purposes and may not support lobbying, political activity, or non-programmatic expenses. Administrative and fundraising costs are expected to remain below 25 percent of an organization’s total budget. Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations, including those located in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, that are recognized as 501c3 public charities or equivalent entities. Applicants must demonstrate strong governance, leadership capacity, and financial health. The proposal must focus on a specific program or project rather than general operating support. Organizations that engage in discriminatory practices, political lobbying, or that operate as private foundations or civic entities are not eligible to apply. The application process requires submission through the Submittable platform, where applicants must create an account and complete a structured proposal. Required materials include organizational information, program descriptions, budget details, and supporting documentation such as financial statements, IRS determination letters, and partner commitments where applicable. Applicants must also respond to detailed narrative questions covering program design, workforce impact, partnerships, data collection, and sustainability. Evaluation criteria include alignment with labor market demand, strength of the proposed solution, organizational capacity, ecosystem engagement, and potential for long-term impact. The timeline for this opportunity begins with an RFP release on June 1, followed by a question submission deadline of July 1. Final proposals are due on July 10 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time, with award notifications expected in late September. Grantees will be required to submit biannual progress reports over the two-year period, focusing on key performance indicators such as participant outcomes, training completion, job placement, and system-level improvements. This funding opportunity is part of a broader strategy to strengthen infrastructure-related workforce pipelines, including occupations such as electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers, and construction equipment operators. By supporting both direct training and system-level innovation, the initiative seeks to create scalable, sustainable solutions that address workforce shortages and improve economic mobility for individuals entering the skilled trades.

Align proposal with regional labor demand demonstrate strong partnerships and clearly connect activities to measurable workforce outcomes