Workforce Development Grants

The Community Foundation of Pulaski County in Indiana is offering a grant for charitable programs and projects in areas such as adult education, agriculture, disability, disadvantaged education, environmental wellness, and wildlife conservation, prioritizing proposals that impact a substantial number of people, offer practical solutions to current problems, encourage cooperation, and come from established non-profit organizations, with a deadline of October 1, 2024.

This grant provides financial support to first and second-year K-12 teachers in southeastern Illinois to help strengthen the pipeline of quality educators in rural communities.

The Public Art Learning Fund, administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), is designed to fortify the public art landscape across New England by offering professional development opportunities directly to artists. NEFA's overarching mission, as reflected in this grant, is to cultivate more equitable, inclusive, and vibrant public spaces and public life throughout the region. This initiative aligns with NEFA's strategic goal of fostering a sustainable and equitable public art ecosystem by investing in the skills, resources, and connections of artists working in the public realm. The primary beneficiaries of this fund are artists residing full-time in one of the six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) who are actively engaged in public artmaking or are in the process of expanding their practice into this domain. The fund aims to empower these artists, contributing to more just and inclusive public art. Expected outcomes include artists developing enhanced skills and resources, leading to the creation of more vibrant public spaces and a stronger regional community of practice. The Public Art Learning Fund prioritizes opportunities that specifically expand an artist's public art practice and contribute equitably to more just and inclusive public artmaking. NEFA seeks clarity on desired learnings and their application to the artist's practice. The fund welcomes artists at various stages of their public artmaking careers from urban, suburban, and rural communities, recognizing that diverse cultural and artistic expressions are crucial for equitable and vibrant public spaces. A key focus of this grant is equity. NEFA acknowledges that various barriers, including race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, class, age, and geography, can limit access to professional development. Therefore, the Public Art Learning Fund actively prioritizes equity in its funding decisions. This may include, but is not limited to, prioritizing artists who self-identify as Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) and/or those who are rooted in rural communities, aligning with NEFA's theory of change that targeted support can address systemic inequities and build a more inclusive artistic landscape. Grants range from $500 to $3,000 and support opportunities taking place between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. Eligible applicants must also have a Creative Ground profile, and the proposed professional development must directly relate to strengthening their public art practice and occur within the grant period. These measurable results, such as the number of artists served and the nature of their professional development, contribute to NEFA's broader strategic aim of fostering a more equitable and sustainable public art ecosystem in New England.

The Sanford/Lee County Community Development Department is offering housing rehabilitation or reconstruction assistance. This program aims to improve substandard housing conditions for lower-income households. The initiative aligns with a broader mission of community development, likely focusing on enhancing living standards and economic stability within the region by addressing critical housing needs. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are lower-income households residing in substandard housing within Lee County. The program targets homeowners who are current occupants of their homes, have up-to-date real estate taxes, and possess a clear title to their property. The impact goals include providing safe and decent housing, improving the overall quality of life for residents, and contributing to the revitalization of the community. The program's priorities and focus are clearly on housing rehabilitation and reconstruction, specifically for those most in need due to their income level and housing conditions. The department is applying to the N.C. Department of Commerce for a 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)-NR Project, indicating a strategic focus on leveraging state and federal funds to achieve local community development objectives. The expected outcomes include a measurable improvement in housing quality and safety for the participating households. By providing essential repairs and reconstruction, the program aims to reduce the number of substandard homes in Lee County. While specific measurable results are not detailed, a typical outcome would involve tracking the number of homes rehabilitated, the cost-effectiveness of the repairs, and the subsequent impact on the residents' well-being. The foundation's strategic priorities, as indicated by their application for CDBG funds, likely involve addressing poverty, improving infrastructure, and fostering community resilience. This approach aligns with a theory of change that posits by providing direct housing assistance to vulnerable populations, the department can stimulate broader positive social and economic ripple effects within the community, such as improved health outcomes, increased property values, and enhanced civic engagement.

The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is offering a Youth-led Grant Program, providing $250 to $2,500 for projects developed and implemented by youth in partnership with a nonprofit, school, or public organization, focusing on areas such as arts, education, community development, environmental stewardship, and health services in selected counties of Ohio.

The Seybert Foundation Innovation Grants Program offers grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to Philadelphia-based nonprofits serving youth, to fund innovative projects in areas such as education reform, youth advocacy, and workforce development, with a focus on testing new approaches or pursuing opportunities for significant change.

The Regional Site Readiness Program’s Planning Grant, funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, offers $100,000 to $500,000 to local governments, economic development organizations, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, and private landowners for planning and due diligence activities aimed at preparing industrial and manufacturing sites for future development across all counties in Illinois.

This program provides funding for colleges and universities to engage undergraduate students in hands-on research experiences across various scientific fields, with a focus on supporting those from underrepresented backgrounds and institutions with limited STEM opportunities.

The Virginia Department of Energy invites proposals for energy innovation within the Commonwealth of Virginia, with grants awarded at its discretion through the Virginia Power Innovation Fund and Program. This initiative is designed to support research and development of innovative energy technologies, including nuclear, hydrogen, carbon capture and utilization, and energy storage. The program aligns with the department's mission to foster energy advancement and secure Virginia's energy future through competitive grants. The program aims to establish a Virginia nuclear innovation hub and award grants to support energy innovation across the Commonwealth. Target beneficiaries include higher education institutions conducting research on advanced nuclear and advanced reactor technologies, and programs focused on nuclear energy workforce development. The initiative also supports site selection for future small modular reactor projects in Virginia. The overarching impact goals are to enhance energy affordability, reliability, and clean energy objectives within the Commonwealth. Key priorities for grant awards include projects demonstrating a strong return on investment, significant impact on energy affordability and reliability, and alignment with clean energy goals. The department also prioritizes capital investment and the utilization of research-based technologies. The program's focus areas are critical for advancing a diverse energy portfolio and ensuring long-term energy security for Virginia. Expected outcomes include advancements in innovative energy technologies, a more robust nuclear energy sector in Virginia, and a skilled workforce capable of supporting these developments. Measurable results will be assessed based on the return on investment, the positive impact on energy metrics within the Commonwealth, and the successful implementation of research-based technologies. The Virginia Department of Energy, in collaboration with the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium and the Secretary of Commerce and Trade, will oversee the grants and ensure thorough reporting on each project. Funding for individual grants can range from $10,000 to $1,000,000, with an overall program funding cap of up to $3 million, pending available funds.

The Vinton County Community Fund, in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, is accepting grant applications to support projects and programs that benefit Vinton County residents and communities. This initiative aligns with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio's broader mission to advance opportunities across the region, particularly focusing on local community needs. The fund seeks to foster positive change and development within Vinton County by supporting various community-driven efforts. The grants are specifically targeted towards nonprofits, schools, and public organizations, as well as groups working under fiscal sponsorship. The primary beneficiaries are individuals of all ages residing in Vinton County. The program's impact goals are centered on creating opportunities, meeting pressing needs, and unleashing the potential within the county, aiming for tangible improvements in the quality of life for its residents. The program prioritizes projects and programs that advance opportunities across five key areas, known as the Pillars of Prosperity: arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environmental stewardship, and health and human services. This strategic focus ensures that funding addresses a diverse range of critical needs and supports holistic community development. Emphasis is placed on initiatives that are spearheaded by individuals committed to making a difference in their community. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed, the expected outcomes are implicitly tied to the advancement of opportunities within the five pillars. Projects are expected to demonstrate potential impact, with funding requests between $500 and $2,500 generally preferred, though larger requests may be considered based on the scale of their potential influence. This framework reflects the Foundation's theory of change, which posits that investing in these key areas, through local initiatives, will lead to sustainable community growth and improved well-being for Vinton County residents.

The Regional Site Readiness Program’s Capital Ready Grant Program, funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, offers between $250,000 to $3,000,000 to local governments, economic development organizations, nonprofits, for-profit organizations, and private landowners for infrastructure and capital improvements to prepare sites for future industrial and manufacturing development across all counties in Illinois.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to eligible contractors for developing renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that benefit low-income communities and promote workforce training in Illinois.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is offering the Manufacturing Retention Grant Program. This program is designed to help manufacturing companies maintain their operational presence within Illinois. Its core mission is to encourage businesses to invest in their workforce, facilities, equipment, technologies, and infrastructure, thereby securing existing jobs and fostering economic stability in the state. The program is supported through the Enterprise Fund, administered by DCEO, which typically funds a broad range of economic development projects. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are private for-profit business entities that operate a major manufacturing complex in Bushnell, Illinois, specifically within McDonough County. These companies must have less than 1,000 employees and extensive experience in tool manufacturing. A key eligibility criterion is the requirement to have acquired a tool manufacturing firm in McDonough County with a minimum of 100 full-time equivalent employees. The grant's impact goal is to retain these companies' manufacturing campuses at operating production levels that support at least 100 employees at the Bushnell site. The program prioritizes job retention in Illinois through various investments. Eligible expenses encompass employee payroll for existing employees (including backpay incurred from May 14, 2024), invoices for services, training expenses for existing employees, and significant capital improvements. These improvements include refurbishment or replacement of machinery, equipment, and tooling (e.g., forging hammers, Swiss lathes), facility repairs (e.g., roof repair, electrical upgrades), productivity and innovation initiatives (e.g., robotics reprogramming, induction heat furnaces), and the replenishment of inventory to maintain standard stocking levels for daily production. The expected outcome of the Manufacturing Retention Grant Program is the successful retention of manufacturing operations and a minimum employment level of 100 employees at the Bushnell site. Measurable results will be directly tied to the utilization of the $5,000,000 total funding, with a performance period spanning from September 1, 2024, through August 31, 2026. The DCEO's strategic priority, as evidenced by this program, is to safeguard manufacturing jobs and foster a robust economic environment within Illinois, aligning with a theory of change that posits direct investment in established manufacturing entities will lead to sustained employment and economic growth.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Texas that are working to improve economic opportunities and workforce readiness for working families by addressing barriers to employment and enhancing skills development.

The Maryland Department of Commerce is offering the Build the Future Grant Pilot Program, providing up to $2 million per fiscal year for innovation infrastructure projects in various technology sectors, with grantees required to provide matching funds and use the grant for costs related to project development, such as construction, installation, and equipment.

This grant provides financial support to community coalitions across the U.S. that aim to create quality jobs and promote an inclusive workforce in the clean energy sector.

This program provides financial support for specialized training in law enforcement and investigative techniques to eligible Maryland law enforcement agencies and offices.

This funding opportunity supports local communities in Northwest Minnesota by providing resources to enhance and expand quality child care services, benefiting public entities, tribal nations, community service agencies, and nonprofit organizations experienced in child care.

The Alexander County Economic Development Corporation is offering grants of $1,000 to $5,000, funded by the Duke Energy Foundation, to businesses in Alexander County, North Carolina, for projects aimed at enhancing physical spaces, e-commerce, service delivery, equipment purchase, ADA accessibility, and public health compliance, with a special focus on fostering entrepreneurship and expanding childcare centers.

The Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) is offering grants aimed at minimizing stormwater pollution through the ongoing maintenance of green infrastructure (GI). The core mission of this grant program aligns with environmental protection and sustainable urban development by actively preserving existing GI practices. The grant seeks to ensure the long-term effectiveness of these installations in managing stormwater, directly contributing to a healthier environment in the District of Columbia. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are the residents of the District of Columbia, who will benefit from reduced stormwater pollution and an improved local environment. Additionally, local District residents, including Returning Citizens, are targeted beneficiaries through the creation of sustainable employment opportunities in GI maintenance. The overarching impact goal is to achieve cleaner waterways and a more resilient urban ecosystem by consistently maintaining approximately 400 GI practices installed by District government agencies. The grant prioritizes providing excellent routine maintenance for 400 GI practices installed by District agencies. A secondary, but equally important, focus is on fostering sustainable employment for local District residents, including Returning Citizens, within the GI maintenance sector. This includes providing training to a local workforce. Furthermore, the program aims to cultivate stewardship and maintenance support opportunities within communities, encouraging local engagement and responsibility for environmental assets. Expected outcomes include a significant reduction in stormwater pollution, evidenced by the effective operation of maintained GI practices. Measurable results will include the annual maintenance of approximately 400 GI practices and the successful training and employment of local District residents in GI maintenance roles. The program's theory of change posits that by investing in both the physical maintenance of green infrastructure and the human capital required to sustain it, the District can achieve lasting environmental benefits and create valuable socio-economic opportunities.