State Workforce Development Grants

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) operates with a foundational mission deeply rooted in promoting civil rights and racial equity while fostering a strengthened justice system. The purpose of this specific solicitation is not for new projects but rather to invite organizations to apply for continuation funding to sustain specific, ongoing initiatives championed by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). This grant mechanism is designed to reinforce previously successful, funded projects, ensuring continuity and stability in efforts aligned with the OJP's core values. The OJP’s strategic priorities clearly define the target beneficiaries and core focus areas. The work is explicitly designed to increase access to justice, support crime victims, and assist individuals impacted by the justice system. Furthermore, significant attention is given to strengthening community safety and protecting the public from both existing and evolving threats. The overarching priorities that guide these initiatives include the advancement of civil rights, the realization of racial equity, and the critical objective of building trust and positive relationships between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Consistent with the principles of effective investment, the solicitation itself represents a strategic priority of maintaining successful, data-driven interventions. The continuation funding model implies a Theory of Change centered on sustained impact, where initial investments that have demonstrated progress are prioritized for ongoing support to achieve long-term systemic change. This approach minimizes administrative churn and focuses resources on maturing initiatives that directly address the core mission. The exclusive nature of the application, limited only to those who received a direct letter from BJA, underscores this commitment to continuity and existing partnership performance. The expected outcomes and measurable results are inherently tied to the continuation of the original project’s goals, with the anticipation of sustained or improved performance in the targeted areas. By supporting the original project guidelines and funding rules, the OJP seeks tangible results such as demonstrably improved access to justice services, quantifiable increases in community-police trust, and measurable progress in advancing civil rights and racial equity within the justice sphere. Ultimately, the outcome is the continued progression toward a safer and more equitable society, driven by BJA initiatives that have already proven their value.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Tennessee local governments for improving and certifying industrial sites to boost economic development and job creation in their communities.

This funding opportunity supports organizations that partner with startups to advance and scale innovative clean energy technologies in Massachusetts, helping them navigate challenges to achieve commercial success.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for programs that train and certify workers in Maine's residential energy efficiency sector, promoting job placement and business development in clean energy careers.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in New Jersey to enhance digital literacy and access to training for low-income adults receiving public assistance benefits.

This grant provides funding to Connecticut communities for projects that increase urban tree cover and improve environmental sustainability, particularly in underserved areas.

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 program provides direct financial support to California residents aged 60 and older who qualify for or receive means-tested benefits, helping to enhance their economic security.

This funding initiative provides financial support to New Jersey employers for hiring college students and recent graduates as paid interns, fostering valuable work experience and skill development in preparation for the modern job market.

This grant provides funding to County Offices of Education and their consortia to train educators as literacy coaches and reading specialists, focusing on improving literacy for high-need student populations, particularly English learners and multilingual learners, across California.

This funding program provides financial support to local defense groups and government entities in Pennsylvania to enhance the military value and sustainability of military installations and organizations within the state.

This funding initiative provides technical assistance and support to organizations that help high-barrier populations, such as youth, veterans, and justice-involved individuals, improve their workforce readiness and economic mobility in California.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to North Carolina-based agencies and organizations for various criminal justice initiatives, including law enforcement, prevention programs, and community engagement efforts.

This initiative provides funding to Pennsylvania's industrial sector to support projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions through decarbonization efforts, targeting small to large manufacturers and facility operators.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Wisconsin that aim to improve affordable telecommunications access for low-income residents, individuals with disabilities, and underserved communities.

This program provides funding to organizations that assist socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs and very small businesses in New York in becoming ready for venture capital investment.

This funding opportunity supports community-based organizations in Washington, DC, that provide programs in education, community safety, and economic development to improve the quality of life for local residents.

This funding initiative provides financial support to organizations in New Mexico that promote creative entrepreneurship and industry development, particularly benefiting rural and underserved communities.

This program provides funding to law enforcement and public safety agencies in Colorado to improve the mental health and well-being of peace officers and their families through counseling, training, and community partnerships.

This funding opportunity is designed for Illinois-based organizations to improve asthma care and education statewide, focusing on reducing health disparities and enhancing community partnerships.