Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement Grant

The Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement Grant, administered by United Way, aims to address systemic obstacles that hinder individuals from securing and maintaining sustainable employment. These barriers include inadequate educational attainment, limited digital access, unreliable transportation, and past criminal records. Through partnerships with over 30 organizations, the program focuses on enabling working-age adults to obtain stable employment with a livable wage. The initiative supports strategies in education, training, and credentialing, transportation assistance, and workforce development for justice-impacted individuals. Eligible applicants for this grant must be nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, operating in good financial standing for at least one year. Agencies can apply for up to $100,000 annually to implement programs aligned with the grant's focus areas. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to non-discrimination policies covering social and economic class, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, race, and religion. Additionally, organizations that collaborate with other entities to maximize their impact may receive special consideration during the selection process. The application process follows a structured timeline beginning with a Letter of Intent (LOI) opening on March 10, 2025. The LOI must be submitted by March 28, 2025, at 4:30 PM. By April 14, 2025, agencies will be notified if they qualify to submit a full Request for Proposal (RFP). The RFP becomes available on April 15, 2025, with an optional training session on April 30, 2025. Completed RFPs and required attachments must be submitted by May 9, 2025. Funding decisions will be announced on July 1, 2025, marking the start of the grant period. Organizations invited to submit an RFP must provide various documents, including a 501(c)(3) letter, a W-9 form, financial audits or reviews, and a board of directors list. Additionally, all agencies must submit a program logic model outlining their intended outcomes. Funded organizations will be required to sign a grant agreement and complete compliance forms. They must also commit to additional training and participate in data collection to measure program outcomes. Funded programs must report demographic data on participants, including age, gender, household income, racial background, and veteran status. Specific outcome tracking is required depending on the program type, such as employment rates, credential attainment, transportation assistance, and legal resolutions for justice-impacted individuals. Employment agencies must report wage levels for program participants, while education programs must track credential completion rates. Transportation-focused initiatives must monitor ride assistance and driver’s license recoveries. Overall, this grant provides essential funding to support employment-focused programs that help individuals overcome barriers to economic stability. By fostering educational opportunities, transportation solutions, and legal assistance for justice-impacted individuals, the initiative contributes to building a more equitable workforce. The structured application process ensures that awarded funds are used effectively to achieve measurable outcomes for participants.