Louisiana Workforce Development Grants

The Rapides Foundation's Workforce Opportunity Grant Program aims to address the critical need for increased household income levels in Central Louisiana, aligning directly with the foundation's overarching mission to improve the health status of the region. The program operates under the belief that economic prosperity, characterized by low unemployment and higher-wage jobs, directly correlates with improved healthcare access, better health choices, and healthier lifestyles for all income levels. This grant initiative is a strategic effort to uplift the standard of living by fostering economic opportunity and family income, which are core tenets of the foundation's "Healthy Communities" strategic area. The primary target beneficiaries of this program are potential and existing employees within The Rapides Foundation's nine-parish service area, which includes Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon, and Winn parishes. Additionally, businesses and industry partners located within these parishes will benefit from the increased skill and knowledge of their workforce. The impact goals are two-fold: to enhance the skills and knowledge of the workforce, leading to higher wages for employees, and to simultaneously boost the production capacity of participating businesses and industries. This directly supports the foundation's "Education" strategic area by increasing educational attainment and achievement as a path to improved economic and social status. The program prioritizes accredited, nonprofit, postsecondary institutions as eligible grant recipients, ensuring that the training provided is of high quality and meets recognized educational standards. The focus is on trainings that directly benefit the local workforce and businesses, addressing specific skill gaps or enhancing existing capabilities to meet industry demands. The grant provides up to $75,000 for a period of up to 12 months, indicating a commitment to substantial and sustained impact. The expected outcomes of the Workforce Opportunity Grant Program include a more highly skilled and better-compensated workforce, leading to an increase in household income levels across the targeted parishes. This, in turn, is expected to result in improved health outcomes due to greater financial stability and access to healthcare. By increasing the production capacity of businesses, the program also aims to strengthen the local economy, creating a virtuous cycle of economic growth and improved community well-being. This comprehensive approach reflects The Rapides Foundation's "Healthy People" strategic area by indirectly promoting healthy behaviors and improving access to healthcare through economic empowerment.

This initiative provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal governments in coal-impacted communities to develop and scale innovative economic projects that create job opportunities and foster local economic transformation.

This grant provides funding to organizations in Central Louisiana to recruit, support, and place mental health professionals in underserved communities, addressing the shortage of Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Licensed Professional Counselors.

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 program provides up to $30,000 in marketing support to small businesses in designated low-income areas of New Orleans to help them grow and increase their visibility.

This grant provides funding to under-resourced communities in the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions to develop strategic plans that address local economic development challenges.

This program provides financial support to Louisiana agricultural businesses to create paid internship opportunities for local students and beginning farmers, helping to develop the future workforce in agriculture.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in the Greater New Orleans area that promote equality and improve the quality of life for LGBTQ individuals and families, particularly those from marginalized groups.

This grant provides $5,000 in unrestricted funding to BIPOC artists and culture bearers in Louisiana to support their creative practices and overall wellbeing.

This program provides free resources and training to help micro and small business owners in select Louisiana parishes, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, grow and sustain their enterprises.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in select states to support programs that improve community well-being and education, particularly for low- to moderate-income families and under-represented groups.

This funding opportunity supports community organizations in Louisiana working together to improve health and well-being by addressing issues like heart disease, diabetes, and mental health through collaborative and sustainable solutions.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in communities served by Union Pacific to support projects that enhance community safety, workforce development, and overall community vitality.