Total Wireless + Empower Work: Working Students Pilot Grant

Total Wireless, a no-contract wireless provider operating on the Verizon 5G network, has partnered with Empower Work, a national nonprofit focused on improving workplace equity, to launch the Working Students Pilot Grant Opportunity. This initiative aims to support working students by funding nonprofit organizations that provide job training, career development, job placement, and other forms of assistance. Grants will range from $50,000 to $150,000 and will be awarded to nonprofit organizations operating in Dallas, Detroit, and Chicago. Selected nonprofits will use these funds to strengthen their programs that aid working students and will also be required to host in-person events at designated Total Wireless retail locations. The grant is specifically intended to support working students, a group that includes high schoolers balancing education and jobs, parents returning to school while raising families, college students juggling coursework and employment, and workers pursuing additional training. Nonprofits receiving funding must commit to planning and hosting 2-4 in-person events at predetermined Total Wireless store locations within their respective cities. These events could include resume-writing workshops, job fairs, career coaching sessions, or other activities designed to help working students succeed. Total Wireless will disclose specific store locations once the formal Request for Proposals (RFP) process begins. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that serve working students in one of the three target cities. Ideal applicants should already provide job training, skill development, job placement, career advancement, or financial support for working students. Additionally, they must be able to commit to a one-year partnership, maintain a dedicated point of contact, and demonstrate a willingness to use local retail spaces as venues for community engagement. Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to complete an Organizational Fit Quiz to assess their eligibility before proceeding with the application process. The application process begins with an Interest Form, due by February 7, 2025. Organizations that advance to the next stage will receive an RFP invitation on February 24, 2025, and must submit their proposals by March 14, 2025. Finalist interviews will be conducted during the weeks of March 17 and March 24, 2025. The selected grantees will be announced during the week of April 8, 2025, and are expected to attend a local in-store event upon selection. This grant program is designed to create a meaningful impact on working students by leveraging both financial support and community engagement opportunities. Empower Work will collaborate closely with selected nonprofits to maximize the effectiveness of their programs and ensure access to valuable resources, such as Empower Work’s text-based support services. Total Wireless, with its network of over 1,000 retail stores, aims to position its locations as community hubs that support local workforce development. For additional details or to address specific inquiries, interested applicants can visit Empower Work’s website or contact them via email at hello@empowerwork.org.