Workforce Development Grants

The Community Economic Development (CED) Planning Grants program, forecasted under the new NOFO HHS-2024-ACF-OCS-EE-0152, is administered by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Community Services (OCS). OCS plans to award approximately $1.5 million in discretionary funds to Community Development Corporations (CDCs). The fundamental objective is to stimulate the development of new CED projects by providing crucial financial assistance for administrative capacity building within these CDCs. This initiative directly aligns with OCS's core mission to reduce poverty and catalyze economic growth in local communities by facilitating social and revenue reinvestment, laying the groundwork for sustainable community self-sufficiency. The direct beneficiaries of this funding are Community Development Corporations (CDCs) that serve under-resourced, underserved, and persistent high-poverty areas with struggling economies. The ultimate beneficiaries are the residents of these target communities, including those with low incomes in both urban and rural settings. The immediate impact goal is to strengthen the administrative and planning capacity of CDCs that have historically struggled to put forth a viable CED project. The broader impact goals include stimulating the creation of new, viable CED projects, fostering localized economic growth, and ultimately reducing poverty through comprehensive community support and reinvestment. OCS has established three key strategic priorities for this funding opportunity, centering the approach on equity. The first priority aligns the grants with national climate and equity initiatives, specifically Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, and the Justice40 Initiative, by underscoring funding support for energy communities. The second focus is on increasing equity in the geographic distribution of CED funds, ensuring resources reach areas previously overlooked, as mandated by the CED statute. Finally, the third priority emphasizes breaking down service silos by encouraging CDCs to leverage existing partnerships across OCS programs, thereby promoting a holistic, wraparound services model to address poverty. The strategic priority and theory of change for OCS is rooted in the belief that administrative capacity is the critical barrier to entry for effective community-led development in high-poverty areas. By providing financial assistance for capacity building, the awards serve as a crucial step to connect CDCs with the larger CED resources required for impactful social and revenue reinvestment. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of CDCs capable of developing fundable projects, leading to the stimulation of new CED projects in persistent high-poverty areas. Measurable results will focus on the successful leveraging of the initial administrative capacity building funds into tangible new projects, demonstrating a clear path from planning support to demonstrable local economic growth and sustainable poverty reduction.

This program provides financial assistance to small Colorado-based housing manufacturers creating innovative prefabricated homes to help address the state's affordable housing shortage.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations and small businesses in Michigan to enhance training and education for the clean energy workforce while improving access to support services for participants.

SisterFund, a women-led giving circle in Richmond, focuses on empowering Black women and girls in the community through grants awarded annually to nonprofits. These grants target improvements in education, workforce, leadership development, and health for African American women and girls. Members contribute $1,100 each year, and grants are awarded based on member votes. The mission is to transform local nonprofits supporting Black women and girls through significant financial investments, fostering long-term positive change. Grant awards will be announced and celebrated at an event on December 12, 2024.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to a variety of organizations that deliver health care services in rural and underserved areas, enabling them to implement innovative technology-driven collaborative learning models to improve provider retention and patient access.

This program provides funding for nonprofit organizations in Virginia, particularly in the Richmond area, to support significant capital projects that encourage community involvement and additional fundraising efforts.

This program provides funding to businesses and nonprofits in Colorado to create tailored job training for new hires and existing employees, enhancing workforce skills and competitiveness.

Through Illinois General Review Funds, funds will be appropriated for expenses related to Suicide Prevention, Education, and Treatment Program pursuant to Public Act 101-0331. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will provide funding to expand the implementation of strategies in the Illinois Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan. At the recommendation of the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance (ISPA), the IDPH Violence and Injury Prevention Section will provide funding to one entity for the purpose to organize and implement workforce development opportunities through implementing the ECHO approach, a Community of Practice (CoP), and offering evidence-based trainings to build workforce development for professionals.

The Community Foundation of Huntington County is offering Accessibility Grants to promote inclusivity within communities. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to enhance the quality of life in Huntington County by addressing critical needs, in this case, by removing barriers for individuals with disabilities. The grants aim to create a more welcoming environment for all by fostering solutions to accessibility challenges in buildings and infrastructure, thereby supporting a choice-driven life for individuals with disabilities. The target beneficiaries of these grants include individuals, families, and businesses within Huntington County, Indiana. The program particularly focuses on people with disabilities who are currently facing physical barriers preventing full access to community use and benefits. The impact goals are centered on making communities more inclusive, ensuring that accessibility needs are considered from both individual and community perspectives, and empowering individuals with disabilities to define their own preferences, opinions, priorities, and accommodations. The grant program has two main funding tracks: the Pathfinder Services Community Accessibility Fund and the AWS Foundation Community Accessible Communities Fund. Key priorities and focuses for both tracks include encouraging potential rather than identifying limitations, preferring social settings that include family and friends, exceeding ADA standards through Universal Design principles, and enhancing education and employment potential to contribute to greater independence. Collaboration is also highly encouraged, recognizing that collective effort increases opportunities. Expected outcomes include the physical removal of accessibility barriers, increased participation of individuals with disabilities in community life, and a more inclusive and welcoming environment across Huntington County. Measurable results would likely involve tracking the number of accessibility solutions implemented, the types of infrastructure improved, and anecdotal evidence of increased access and independence for individuals with disabilities. The foundation's strategic priorities are clearly geared towards fostering community well-being and equitable access, and their theory of change posits that by funding direct solutions to accessibility barriers, they can directly improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and create a more inclusive society.

This funding opportunity supports colleges and nonprofit organizations in implementing effective strategies to improve student success, reduce time to graduation, and close equity gaps.

This grant provides funding to colleges and nonprofit organizations to enhance successful educational programs that help students complete their degrees faster, stay enrolled, and close achievement gaps.

This grant provides funding to colleges and nonprofit organizations to implement strategies that improve student success, reduce completion times, and close equity gaps in education.

This program provides financial assistance to businesses, municipalities, and railroads in Michigan for upgrading rail infrastructure to boost economic growth and increase rail freight usage.

This grant provides financial support to community and tribal colleges in Michigan to enhance college enrollment and success for adult learners through collaborative partnerships and navigator programs.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas that focus on education and community development initiatives, particularly for low- to moderate-income populations.

This funding opportunity supports innovative programs that improve college readiness, enrollment, and completion in Michigan communities, particularly those connected to Local College Access Networks.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments and economic organizations in Colorado's non-core regions to enhance infrastructure and resources that attract and retain semiconductor-related businesses.

Since 2022, Cal ICH has partnered with California Federally Recognized Tribes and stakeholders to develop the Tribal HHAP Program. In 2024, Cal ICH is continuing and expanding our partnerships with Tribes and stakeholders in strengthening the Tribal HHAP program. Through the integration of feedback from the community’s served, Cal ICH’s goal is to continue culturally responsive programming designed to meet the needs of tribal communities, with funding accessible to all California Federally Recognized Tribes in need.Tribal HHAP is a tribal allocation set-aside from the Homeless Housing Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) program, built specifically for and with California Federally Recognized Tribes.

This funding opportunity supports U.S.-based organizations in creating mentoring programs and research education experiences to develop a skilled workforce focused on HIV research, targeting professionals at various career stages, including students and early-career faculty.

The Leland Fikes Foundation is accepting grant applications until October 9, 2024. The Foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations in areas including reproductive health, civic engagement, and human services in the Dallas area. Their funding priorities include improving access to reproductive healthcare, strengthening democratic processes through public policy and advocacy, and addressing local community needs such as housing and health. The Foundation focuses on national, state-level (Texas), and local Dallas initiatives. Grants are not available for individuals or politically partisan groups. For more information, visit the Leland Fikes Foundation.