The Employment Development Department (EDD) of California, in collaboration with the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, is making up to $1 million available through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Governor’s Discretionary Fund. This funding opportunity, designated for Program Year 2024-25, aims to support technical assistance (TA) services within the Employment Social Enterprise (ESE) program. The grant recipient will provide individualized TA services tailored to the needs of program awardees, considering the unique barriers faced by target populations, the industries served, and regional workforce conditions.
The primary objective of the grant is to enhance the effectiveness of Social Enterprise intervention strategies in improving employment outcomes for vulnerable populations in California. The TA awardee will assist program awardees in implementing work-based learning and work experience programs, as well as providing supportive services that enable individuals to gain wages, improve their job skills, and build work experience. The ultimate goal is to help transition participants into stable employment by equipping them with the necessary skills and support systems.
Funding is available exclusively for organizations with the experience, capacity, and statewide relationships to deliver TA services effectively. Eligible applicants include public workforce development agencies, human service or social service agencies, community-based organizations, business-related nonprofit organizations, social benefit corporations (both nonprofit and for-profit), labor organizations, workforce intermediaries, and similar organizations engaged in Social Enterprise activities. Individual applicants are not eligible for this funding opportunity.
The application process consists of several key dates. An informational webinar will be held on February 11, 2025, at 10 a.m. PT, and interested applicants must register for the webinar by 9 a.m. PT on the same day. While not mandatory, applicants are encouraged to submit a Notice of Intent to Apply via email by 12 p.m. PT on February 25, 2025. The final deadline for full proposal submissions is March 4, 2025, at 3 p.m. PT.
Evaluation criteria for the proposals have not been explicitly detailed in the announcement. However, successful applicants will likely be assessed based on their ability to deliver comprehensive TA services that align with the ESE program’s objectives. Organizations must demonstrate their experience in providing support to Social Enterprise projects, their capacity to offer effective TA services, and their ability to enhance employment outcomes for vulnerable populations.
This funding opportunity is fully supported by federal funds from the U.S. Department of Labor, with no non-federal matching funds required. Additional details, including the full Solicitation for Proposals (SFP), can be accessed via the EDD Workforce Development SFP webpage.
