Michigan Workforce Development Grants

The Main Street Micro Business Startup Grant Program, funded by Main Street Oakland County and Genisys Credit Union, offers grants between $1000 to $10,000 to support the creation, relocation, or expansion of small businesses in specific Main Street Districts, covering costs such as location renovations, rent assistance, equipment purchases, and other relevant expenses.

This funding initiative provides financial support to Michigan-based nonprofits and higher education institutions that assist startups, aiming to boost innovation and economic development in the state.

This funding opportunity supports conservation projects that provide employment and training for young adults and veterans, helping them gain experience in environmental stewardship and resource management on public lands.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Dallas, Detroit, and Chicago that assist working students with job training, career development, and other resources to help them succeed while balancing education and employment.

The Sisters of St. Francis (Sylvania) Foundation Grant Program, in partnership with the Greater Toledo Community Foundation, is offering grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to 501(c)(3) organizations in selected counties of Ohio and Michigan, to support programs that combat human trafficking, assist immigrants and refugees, advance social justice and equal opportunity, and promote environmental preservation and sustainability.

The Public Safety Academy Assistance Program provides financial support, up to $24,000 per recruit, for law enforcement training academy costs and salaries of recruits attending the academy, with a single agency able to fund up to 25 recruits.

This program provides funding to Michigan universities to create stipend opportunities for Bachelor of Social Work graduates pursuing clinical Master of Social Work degrees, with the goal of increasing mental health providers in rural communities.

The Climate Action Equity Project (CAEP) is an initiative distributing grants through the Greater New Orleans Foundation (GNOF) to support equitable climate action projects. This program aligns with GNOF's mission to address climate challenges by focusing on equity, ensuring that underserved communities in the Greater New Orleans area are actively involved and benefit from these efforts. The grants aim to further the goals outlined in the "Taking Steps Together for Equity & Climate" framework, emphasizing a collaborative and inclusive approach to climate resilience. The primary beneficiaries of this program are nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations serving the Greater New Orleans area, particularly those located in New Orleans and led by, or in partnership with, residents of underserved neighborhoods. The grants also encourage applications from smaller organizations and those with limited grant application experience, providing support to ensure broader participation. The impact goals are centered on fostering a more equitable and sustainable future for the region by empowering local communities to lead climate action. The CAEP focuses on several key priority areas: modernizing energy use, improving transportation choices, reducing waste, and creating a culture that supports workforce and small business opportunities in climate action. The program offers flexible support, covering general operations, various programs, and advocacy efforts including legislative, judicial, or executive advocacy, community organizing, campaigns, leadership development, and policy development. Additionally, capacity building is a significant focus, supporting technology needs, collaboration, professional development, communications training, organizational effectiveness, and evaluation and research. Expected outcomes include tangible improvements in local climate resilience, increased community engagement in climate solutions, and the growth of a green economy that benefits underserved populations. Applications will be evaluated on criteria such as meeting eligibility and guidelines, the plan for evaluating program impact, the proposed use of funds, and the organization's collaboration with underserved communities. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed as a collective target, the evaluation criteria suggest a focus on demonstrable project impact and community benefit, aligning with a theory of change that posits local, equitable initiatives will lead to broader regional climate resilience and social equity.

The City of Dearborn's Small Business Grant Program aims to bolster the local economy by providing financial assistance to established small businesses. This program is designed to align with the city's broader mission of fostering a vibrant and sustainable business environment, recognizing the crucial role small businesses play in community development and job creation. By offering grants for business improvements, the city seeks to enhance the competitiveness and longevity of its local enterprises, contributing to overall economic stability and growth. The primary beneficiaries of this program are small businesses located in Dearborn, specifically those with 15 or fewer employees and a minimum of five years in operation within the city. These businesses must also be in good standing with the City, State, and IRS, and not currently in bankruptcy. The program targets businesses that are stable but could benefit from financial support to make improvements, thereby strengthening their operations and contributing to the local business landscape. Business owners must also not be listed on the MI State Police Sex Offender Registry. The program's priorities and focus areas are clearly defined: facade improvements (such as paint, windows, building face materials), awnings, and other exterior enhancements like signage, patios, walkways, and landscaping. The grant explicitly aims to improve the physical appearance and functionality of business premises, which can directly impact customer attraction and business viability. This focus on tangible improvements suggests a strategic priority to enhance the aesthetic appeal and operational efficiency of Dearborn's commercial districts. The expected outcomes include an improved physical appearance of small businesses, increased business competitiveness, and a stronger local economy. Businesses can receive $5,000 in assistance, with an expected $2,500 match from the business themselves, indicating a commitment to shared investment and responsibility for improvement. While specific measurable results like increased revenue or job creation are not explicitly stated, the focus on direct improvements implies a theory of change where enhanced business infrastructure leads to greater customer engagement, sustained operations, and ultimately, a more prosperous local economy.

The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) is offering $57 million in grant funds for in-person before-school, after-school, before-and-after-school, and/or summer programming for children in grades K-12. This initiative aligns with MiLEAP's mission to prioritize education from preschool through postsecondary, focusing on kindergarten readiness and helping individuals earn skills or degrees for good-paying jobs. The grant specifically supports Out-of-School Time (OST) Programs that provide educational programming in core subjects such as mathematics, reading, and science. The target beneficiaries are children in grades K-12. The impact goals are to improve school attendance, academic outcomes, attitudes toward school, positive behaviors, skill development and retention, and higher education aspirations, as well as to enhance family engagement. MiLEAP's strategic priority is to prepare children for kindergarten and help more people earn a skill certificate or degree, and this grant directly contributes to that by funding programs that offer expanded learning opportunities and academic enrichment. The grant prioritizes the expansion of existing programs, establishment of new programs, hands-on academic enrichment, field trips, professional learning, and the development of school-community partnerships. It also supports expanded learning opportunities in areas like mentoring, leadership, community engagement, agriculture, visual and performing arts, financial literacy, STEM, health and wellness, recreation, career and college exploration, youth voice, 21st-century skills, social-emotional learning, and cultural engagement. Expected outcomes include measurable improvements in areas such as improved school attendance and academic performance, enhanced positive behaviors and skill development, and increased aspirations for higher education. The grant's theory of change posits that by investing in comprehensive OST programming that addresses both academic and social-emotional needs, children will be better prepared for academic success and future career opportunities, thereby contributing to MiLEAP's broader goal of lifelong education and advancement.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that assist migrant and seasonal farmworkers with employment services, training, and housing solutions.

This competition provides substantial funding and exposure to early-stage startups in Michigan, focusing on innovative companies with high growth potential across various industries.

This grant provides funding to public and nonprofit organizations in Michigan to implement solar energy projects that benefit low-income households by reducing their energy costs and promoting equitable access to clean energy solutions.

The Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) is offering the Women’s Education Coalition Grant Program, designed to support women in pursuing educational and employment goals. This program aligns with the foundation's mission to foster increased financial independence and career advancement within the community. By providing renewable grant assistance, KZCF aims to break down financial barriers that often hinder women from accessing further education or professional development, thereby promoting economic mobility and overall community well-being. The Women's Education Coalition is a collaborative effort involving Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; the YWCA of Kalamazoo; and the former Kalamazoo Network, highlighting a collective commitment to empowering women through education. The target beneficiaries for this grant program are women residing in Kalamazoo, Barry, Calhoun, Allegan, St. Joseph, or Van Buren County who have experienced a significant break in their education or are seeking additional education to improve their career and pay opportunities. The primary impact goal is to enhance the financial independence of these women and facilitate their career progression. The grant can be utilized for various educational pathways, including professional development, trade, technology, vocational or certificate programs, as well as associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree programs, accommodating both part-time and full-time students. The program prioritizes underemployed working mothers and those enrolling or already enrolled in not-for-profit educational institutions. This focus underscores KZCF's strategic emphasis on supporting vulnerable populations and promoting access to education within the non-profit sector, which often serves a broader community benefit. Applicants are required to demonstrate how post-high school education will contribute to their goals of increased financial independence, ensuring that the grant's impact is directly linked to tangible personal and economic improvements. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in the financial independence and career opportunities for grant recipients. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided information, the program's design suggests that success would be evaluated by the number of women who successfully complete their chosen educational programs, secure better employment, or achieve higher income levels as a direct result of the grant. The foundation's theory of change appears to center on the belief that targeted financial assistance for education directly leads to improved economic stability and empowerment for individuals, which in turn contributes to a more vibrant and equitable community.

This funding opportunity supports rural health providers and community organizations in Michigan to implement effective programs for managing diabetes and hypertension, improving patient care and health outcomes in underserved areas.

The Arc Fund, an initiative by CultureSource, is a $1.5 million grant program designed to support culture-workers of color in Southeast Michigan. Its core mission aligns with addressing historical disadvantages, underrepresentation, and oppression faced by these professionals due to their race. The fund aims to spur growth and provide opportunities for career advancement, contributing to a more equitable and vibrant arts and culture ecosystem in the region. The program specifically targets culture-workers of color living and working full-time in Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties in Southeast Michigan. Eligible beneficiaries include arts administrators, artists, arts organizers, curators, and arts programmers whose primary professional focus is advancing arts and culture in the region. The impact goal is to empower these individuals to make significant career leaps, fostering professional development and reducing financial or other obligations that limit their flexibility and growth. The Arc Fund prioritizes individuals prepared to invest in new skills, pursue novel artistic endeavors, or address financial burdens that hinder their career trajectory. It focuses on providing unrestricted awards, professional development experiences, and social networking opportunities. This comprehensive approach reflects a strategic priority to not only offer financial support but also to build capacity and community among culture-workers of color. The expected outcomes include the distribution of 74 unrestricted awards of $15,000 each, enabling recipients to fund various aspects of their professional growth. Measurable results will likely involve tracking the number of awards distributed, the engagement in professional development, and the overall career advancement reported by the awardees. While a formal theory of change is not explicitly detailed, the initiative implicitly operates on the theory that targeted financial support, skill-building, and networking will directly counter historical inequities, leading to significant career progression and a more inclusive cultural landscape.

This program provides financial support to small nonprofit organizations with annual budgets under $200,000 to enhance their operations and community programs.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to universities for developing programs that train and retain mental health professionals in rural Michigan, ensuring they serve these underserved communities for five years after graduation.

This funding opportunity supports small, for-profit businesses in Kalamazoo's downtown areas that are looking to grow or enhance their operations, with potential grants of up to $25,000 available for eligible applicants.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to eligible organizations in Michigan to engage AmeriCorps members in community service activities that address critical local needs in areas such as education, health, and environmental stewardship.