Private Workforce Development Grants

This funding opportunity provides $50,000 to support diverse-led businesses in Southern California, helping them create new premium wage jobs while offering business development resources.

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.

Firelight Media's Documentary Lab is an 18-month fellowship program designed to provide comprehensive support for emerging filmmakers from racially and ethnically underrepresented communities in the United States. This program aligns with Firelight Media's mission to support artful and innovative documentary films that take risks and offer new narratives on pressing contemporary issues. The fellowship includes professional development retreats, customized mentorship from prominent documentary leaders, networking opportunities, and a $25,000 project grant, aiming to foster both project development and career growth. The primary target beneficiaries are filmmakers in the United States and U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. Samoa, Guam/Northern Mariana Islands) who identify with racially and ethnically underrepresented communities. Specifically, the program is for those directing their first or second feature-length documentary film. The impact goals are to empower these filmmakers to create compelling and diverse stories, enrich the documentary landscape with fresh perspectives, and establish sustainable careers within the industry. The program prioritizes long-form/feature-length documentaries that are currently in early production, production, or post-production stages. Firelight Media is open to various documentary types, including historical, investigative, personal, vérité, and experimental, emphasizing projects that are innovative and challenge conventional narratives. Key focuses include supporting films that address significant societal issues and promoting artistic risk-taking, ensuring the production of impactful and thought-provoking content. Expected outcomes include the successful completion and distribution of feature-length documentaries from diverse voices, leading to increased representation and visibility for underrepresented filmmakers. Measurable results could include the number of films completed, festival selections, distribution deals, and the career advancement of fellows. By investing in these filmmakers and their projects, Firelight Media's strategic priority is to cultivate a more inclusive and dynamic documentary film ecosystem, contributing to a broader understanding of critical social issues through the power of storytelling.

The UpPrize Social Innovation Challenge, powered by Innovation Works and funded by the BNY Mellon Foundation of Southwestern Pennsylvania, is an annual competition designed to foster entrepreneurship with a lasting community impact in Southwestern Pennsylvania. This initiative creates cross-sector partnerships to tackle pressing community problems, aligning with a broader mission to promote social innovation through investment, grants, and educational assistance. Since its inception in 2015, the UpPrize Challenge has allocated over $3.1 million to local nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and other participants, demonstrating a commitment to empowering community-driven solutions. The primary beneficiaries of this challenge are nonprofits, businesses, and individuals who are based in and whose startup's impact is within one of the following Pennsylvania counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, or Westmoreland. The program specifically targets those who are 18 years or older and have not received $50,000 or more in previous UpPrize cycles. The core impact goal is to launch or expand startups that leverage technology to address social inequities, thereby creating a meaningful and lasting community impact in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The program's priorities and focus areas revolve around technology-driven solutions to social inequities. This is evidenced by the prize structure, which offers combined prize monies and accelerator assistance to the top three finalists to facilitate the launch or expansion of such startups. The challenge encourages innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly in areas that can demonstrate tangible benefits to the community through the application of new technologies and creative problem-solving. Expected outcomes include the successful launch or expansion of promising startups, leading to measurable improvements in social equity within the targeted counties. The challenge's structure, which awards significant prize money ($125,000 for first place, $100,000 for second, and $75,000 for third), incentivizes the development of impactful solutions. These investments are intended to translate into direct community benefits, fostering a more equitable and innovative environment in Southwestern Pennsylvania through the practical application of entrepreneurial endeavors.

Maine: Investing in Leaders of Color Grant Program offers a maximum award of $6,950 to support nonprofit leaders of color and their organizations. The program provides one-on-one coaching, a stipend for professional development and operating costs, and networking opportunities. It is designed for people of color in leadership positions in nonprofit organizations that serve communities of color and promote racial equity in Maine. Priority is given to leaders from organizations led by people of color. The grant consists of capacity-building funding, including one-on-one coaching, professional development, and operating costs. The program aims to promote and increase racial equity in Maine through supporting leaders and organizations serving communities of color.

This grant provides funding to organizations that will deploy Starlink satellite internet units to improve connectivity for rural tribal nations in Arizona, enhancing access to essential services and benefits for veterans.

The Community Foundation of North Louisiana (CFNL) offers Primary Grants to existing organizations with annual revenues of $250,000 or more, focusing on critical program areas within Louisiana's Bossier and Caddo Parishes. While the exact mission of CFNL is not explicitly stated in the provided text, the grant program's alignment with "Civic Engagement," "Economic Development," "Education," "Environment," "Health & Science," "Human Services," and "Organizational Development" indicates a commitment to fostering a healthy, thriving community across various sectors. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are the residents of Caddo and/or Bossier Parishes, as all proposed programs must serve these geographic areas. The grants are designed to support initiatives that address specific community needs within the identified program areas. Although specific impact goals and expected outcomes are not detailed, the focus on these broad categories suggests an aim to improve overall quality of life, strengthen local economies, enhance educational opportunities, promote environmental stewardship, and provide essential human services. The emphasis on "Organizational Development" also suggests a goal to build capacity and sustainability within the non-profit sector. The grant prioritizes programs with a duration of 12 months or less, starting no earlier than June 1, 2025, and ending no later than December 31, 2026. This timeframe indicates a focus on projects with a defined scope and measurable impact within a reasonable period. The eligibility criteria, including IRS tax-exempt status, specific audit requirements based on gross revenue, and good standing with Form 990 filings, underscore the foundation's commitment to supporting financially responsible and compliant organizations capable of effectively managing grant funds. While a formal "theory of change" is not explicitly articulated, the grant's structure implies that by investing in organizations working within the specified program areas and adhering to rigorous eligibility standards, CFNL believes it can contribute to positive systemic changes and address key challenges in Caddo and Bossier Parishes. The foundation's strategic priorities appear to be centered on empowering local organizations that demonstrate both programmatic alignment and organizational integrity, thereby fostering a stronger, more resilient community through targeted and responsible philanthropy.

This grant provides funding for nurse-led teams to develop innovative solutions that improve workplace conditions and well-being in health systems worldwide.

This grant provides financial support and educational resources to diverse-led businesses in Illinois, helping them grow and create new jobs.

The "Building Healthy Communities: Reducing Health Disparities in Elementary Schools" program, funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, is a school-based initiative designed to address the social determinants of health contributing to widespread disparities across Michigan communities. This program aligns with a broader mission to foster healthier environments and reduce health, education, and economic disparities at the elementary school level. It recognizes the critical link between social determinants and a child's overall well-being and academic success, positioning schools as key environments for intervention. The primary beneficiaries of this program are elementary school children, educators, and the broader school community within districts most affected by health, education, and economic disparities in Michigan. The impact goals are multifaceted, aiming to facilitate healthier school environments, assist educators in recognizing and addressing issues of trauma in children, improve children's mental health, and ultimately increase school attendance and academic achievement. By focusing on these areas, the program seeks to create a more supportive and equitable learning environment for all students. The program's priorities and focuses include providing necessary resources and professional development to educators. This involves equipping them with the tools to identify and respond to trauma, promote mental well-being, and implement strategies that enhance overall school health. The core strategy is to engage entire school districts, from central administrators to individual teachers, to ensure a comprehensive and sustained commitment to the program's objectives. This district-wide approach is crucial for integrating the program effectively into the existing educational framework. Expected outcomes and measurable results include a significant improvement in children's mental health, a demonstrable increase in school attendance, and enhanced academic achievement. The program also aims to create measurably healthier school environments and reduce the impact of trauma on children's education. While specific metrics are not detailed, the emphasis on state and national data to identify and recruit participating districts suggests a data-driven approach to tracking progress and demonstrating impact on reducing disparities in health, education, and the economy within targeted communities.

CJI’s Leadership Circle is soliciting proposals from grassroots organizations led by formerly incarcerated and directly impacted individuals. The program aims to transform and reimagine the U.S. criminal legal system by building alternative community-based solutions and organizing to prevent the criminalization of marginalized identities and communities. This initiative directly aligns with CJI's mission to support meaningful, transformative, and systemic change within the criminal legal system, empowering future leaders who have often experienced incarceration themselves. The foundation's strategic priority is to support movement-building organizing that creates a new world, a "world they demand NOW." The target beneficiaries are formerly incarcerated individuals and directly impacted people, including primary family members, as well as marginalized groups within their communities (e.g., poor, houseless, young, elders, queer, trans, people with mental illness, people with disabilities). The program's impact goals include ending mass criminalization and incarceration, creating safe and healthy communities that do not rely on arrest and incarceration, and re-establishing rights and access for those formerly incarcerated or newly criminalized. The Leadership Circle's theory of change emphasizes shared authority among donors and community organizers, many of whom have lived experience with incarceration, to drive systemic change. The program prioritizes several key areas. This includes building alternatives to traditional carceral systems, investing in approaches that end mass criminalization, creating policies to reform and dismantle repressive legal systems, and uplifting the leadership and experience of those affected by the criminal legal system. Other focuses include re-establishing rights for formerly incarcerated individuals, promoting transformative and restorative justice, and supporting culturally appropriate healing programs connected to the criminal justice movement. CJI also has specific funding preferences for organizations led by formerly incarcerated individuals, groups operating in difficult political environments, those developing new leaders from marginalized backgrounds, and work addressing discrimination against incarcerated or detained people, particularly in the South, Indian country, and other rural areas. Expected outcomes and measurable results include the development of community-based interventions, changes in policies and institutions (like parole and probation), and a demonstrable commitment to systems change through organizing. The program seeks to empower new leaders, particularly from marginalized communities, and foster innovative collaborations among diverse organizations. While specific quantitative metrics are not provided in the description, the emphasis on "movement-building organizing" and "achieving systems change" suggests that the success will be measured by the demonstrable impact on criminal legal system reform and the empowerment of affected communities. CJI is particularly committed to supporting smaller, emerging organizations with budgets of $1 million or less, indicating a focus on grassroots impact and capacity building.

This grant provides funding to North Dakota organizations for tailored workforce initiatives that address regional employment challenges, including talent attraction, retention, and infrastructure investments.

This grant provides unrestricted funding to nonprofits in Washington state that are focused on advancing equity in healthcare, climate and agricultural justice, and education, particularly for marginalized communities.

This grant provides funding to eligible organizations that support community programs focused on health, basic needs, workforce development, and youth development for low-income families in Wayne and Holmes Counties, Ohio.

This program provides financial support and resources to help Black-owned businesses grow, acquire customers, and succeed on Amazon's platform through education, mentorship, and expert guidance.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries in the Black Hills region to address critical community issues such as education, mental health, substance abuse, and food security.

The OneOhio Recovery Foundation administers regional grants to support substance misuse prevention, treatment, recovery, and related abatement efforts across Ohio. The foundation distributes a portion of the states opioid settlement funds to address community needs today and invest in future public health outcomes. Funding priorities include treatment and healthcare services, intervention and crisis support, criminal legal system needs, recovery supports, prevention strategies, harm reduction, services for impacted children and families, public safety and first responder collaboration, workforce development, and infrastructure such as facility renovation, technology upgrades, and vehicles. Awards in this cycle will total no more than 51,194,220.72 dollars and may support projects of 12, 24, or up to 36 months. Eligible applicants include tax exempt organizations, private for profit organizations providing charitable purpose services, and state or local government entities. Projects should demonstrate measurable impact on opioid abatement and align with regional priorities. Applications are due May 3, 2024. Additional information is available from the OneOhio Recovery Foundation.

The Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA) is offering Undergraduate Student Artist Grants through its Artists 360 program, made possible by the Walton Family Foundation. This initiative is designed to provide practice-based grant funding to undergraduate student artists across all disciplines who are attending post-secondary institutions in specific Arkansas counties: Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Sebastian, and Washington. The core mission of Artists 360, and by extension this grant, aligns with energizing and elevating student artists in the greater Northwest Arkansas region, fostering their creative development and career advancement. The target beneficiaries for this grant are undergraduate student artists aged 18 or older, enrolled for the 2024-2025 school year in an accredited post-secondary institution within the designated Arkansas counties. This includes part-time or full-time students, regardless of their major, as long as they create work in any artistic discipline (e.g., dance, film, literary, music, theatre, visual art). The program specifically excludes those who have previously received an Artists 360 Student Grant or certain other M-AAA grants. The impact goals are to support individual artists' creative practices and career advancement, addressing their self-identified challenges and desired futures within the arts. The program prioritizes artists who demonstrate a well-developed creative practice, a deep commitment to their work, and a clear motivation to evolve. Review criteria focus on "Artistry," assessing the quality of work and process, and "Impact of Funding on Practice," requiring artists to articulate how the $2,500 grant will specifically benefit their careers. A key focus is also on achieving a "Balanced Cohort," ensuring a broad representation of perspectives, disciplines, and experiences among grant recipients. The expected outcome of the Artists 360 Undergraduate Student Artist Grants is the direct support and advancement of student artists' creative endeavors in Northwest Arkansas. While specific measurable results beyond the allocation of $2,500 grants per artist are not explicitly detailed, the program's emphasis on identifying the impact of funding on an artist's practice implies a focus on qualitative outcomes related to artistic growth and career trajectory. The Walton Family Foundation's support underscores a strategic priority to invest in regional artistic talent and cultural development, contributing to a vibrant arts ecosystem through direct funding to emerging artists.

The Washington State Department of Commerce is launching an accelerated cohort of its Innovation Cluster Accelerator Program (ICAP 2.5). This initiative is an economic development strategy designed to bolster industry ecosystems and stimulate economic growth across the state. The program aims to assist organizations in expanding cluster operations, fostering innovation in key sectors, and drawing in talent and capital. While not explicitly detailed as a "foundation mission alignment," the program's objectives clearly align with broader state economic development goals, serving as a strategic framework to enhance Washington's competitive advantage in global industry sectors. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are industry-led consortia/clusters that demonstrate a commitment to building successful clusters. These consortia must include academic membership, evidenced by a letter of commitment from a major university or community college within Washington State. Furthermore, eligible clusters must demonstrate over $500,000 in investment, which can include prospective federal funding. The program prioritizes clusters that are truly industry-led, ensuring that funding supports initiatives with strong private sector engagement and a clear path to market-driven innovation and growth. The program's priorities and focus areas are multifaceted, designed to strengthen Washington's economic landscape. Key goals include establishing Washington as a global leader in critical industry sectors, supporting technology transfer and commercialization, accelerating the growth of new start-ups and scale-ups, and expanding existing businesses. A significant focus is placed on creating high-value jobs across Washington, increasing export opportunities, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in both business ownership and the workforce. These priorities underscore a comprehensive approach to economic development that values innovation, job creation, and equitable growth. Expected outcomes and measurable results are integral to the ICAP 2.5. COMMERCE intends to award no more than 10 applications, with individual grants ranging from $50,000 to $150,000. The project period is tentatively set to commence around September 1, 2024, and conclude by December 31, 2024, indicating a short, high-impact performance window. The success of the program will be measured by its ability to drive cluster operations, innovation in key sectors, and the attraction of talent and capital, all contributing to the overarching goal of accelerating economic development and strengthening industry ecosystems. While a formal "theory of change" is not explicitly stated, the program's design implicitly operates on the theory that targeted investment in industry-led consortia will foster innovation, create high-value jobs, and ultimately establish Washington as a leader in key industry sectors, thereby increasing economic prosperity and global competitiveness.

This program provides financial support and product donations to nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and youth activities in communities where Shaw Industries associates live and work, focusing on education, workforce development, and local partnerships.