Private Workforce Development Grants

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.

The Art and Change Grant (ACG), provided by the Leeway Foundation, offers up to $2,500 to fund art for social change projects. This grant aligns with the foundation's mission to support artists and cultural producers who are deeply involved in creating art that positively affects and engages communities and audiences, ensuring that social change is integral to their artistic process and goals. The foundation prioritizes art with a vision and intentional analysis, recognizing it as a powerful tool for societal impact. The target beneficiaries for the ACG are women, trans, and/or gender nonconforming artists and cultural producers who reside in Greater Philadelphia, specifically in Bucks, Camden, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Philadelphia County, and are at least 18 years old. The grant aims to empower these artists to use their creative practices to foster social change. The impact goals include raising consciousness, altering perspectives on self, society, or culture, creating visions of a more just world, and serving as a strategy for organizing and movement building. The grant prioritizes art that addresses various forms of oppression, such as racism, classism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ageism, and ableism. It also focuses on art that questions mainstream culture and beliefs, shifts perceptions of power and privilege, and values healing justice practices. Expected outcomes include strengthening communities, preserving or reclaiming traditional cultural practices, building a sense of community, and creating spaces for expression. The grant also emphasizes a reciprocal process of teaching and learning, ensuring mutual benefit for both the artist and the community engaged. The Leeway Foundation's strategic priorities are centered on supporting project-based art for social change across any medium, including traditional, nontraditional, multimedia, and experimental forms. Their theory of change posits that by empowering individual artists to create socially engaged art, they can catalyze significant community-wide impact. The foundation aims for measurable results through projects that demonstrate a clear vision for social change and actively engage communities, fostering a more just and equitable world through artistic and cultural practice.

The Arts Council for Long Beach offers two types of microgrants: Project Microgrants and Professional Development Microgrants. The Project Microgrants are designed for local projects that are free, open to the public, and directly benefit Long Beach residents. These projects are expected to support community representation and cultural respect, encourage cultural diversity, and/or enhance underserved communities. The Professional Development Microgrants assist Long Beach artists with funding for opportunities such as workshops or conferences, aiming to enhance the artist's or organization's ability to serve Long Beach residents, particularly in underserved areas. The overall mission alignment of the Arts Council is to promote and support arts and cultural activities that benefit the Long Beach community. The primary target beneficiaries of these microgrants are Long Beach residents, artists, and organizations within the city. The impact goals are centered around fostering cultural diversity, community representation, and enhancing the lives of residents through accessible arts and cultural experiences. For Professional Development Microgrants, the goal is to strengthen the capabilities of individual artists and arts organizations, which in turn enhances their service to the Long Beach community. Both grant types emphasize supporting underserved communities and populations within Long Beach, ensuring equitable access to arts and cultural benefits. The priorities and focuses of the Arts Council for Long Beach include supporting publicly accessible arts and cultural presentations in any art form, single events or series of events, arts and cultural festivals, arts education programs, traditional folk arts presentations, public art, and initiatives that promote the Long Beach arts and cultural sector. For professional development, funding prioritizes opportunities that enhance the applicant's ability to serve Long Beach residents, with specific provisions for conference fees and equipment/tools for art making. The emphasis is on projects that are free, open to the public, and directly beneficial to the local community. Expected outcomes include an increase in diverse and culturally representative arts projects, enhanced professional skills for Long Beach artists, and a more vibrant and accessible arts and cultural sector for all Long Beach residents. Measurable results could involve the number of projects implemented, audience attendance at free public events, the number of artists participating in professional development, and the demonstrable benefits to underserved communities. The Arts Council's strategic priorities align with a theory of change where targeted financial support for local arts and artists directly contributes to community enrichment, cultural engagement, and the professional growth of the city's creative talent. This investment is seen as a catalyst for a more inclusive and thriving cultural landscape in Long Beach.

The IDEA Fund program is a state-sponsored venture capital initiative that utilizes public funding (both state and federal) to drive economic development within the state. The primary focus of this program is to foster innovation and support technology-driven entrepreneurial endeavors that contribute to the state’s overall economic development growth. MTC’s Venture Capital Program was created to accelerate private venture capital investment in Missouri-based start-up companies and to increase the overall investment impact of third-party investments. The Venture Capital Program supports technology startups through matching equity or convertible debt investments up to $2,000,000 for the purpose of scaling the business to attract additional venture capital. Since 2010, MTC has invested over $49 million in more than 150 early-stage Missouri-based high-growth technology-focused companies. Since 2018, our portfolio companies have gone on to raise over $1.6 billion in additional private capital.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Massachusetts-based organizations that help early-stage climatetech startups grow and innovate, covering various operational and developmental expenses.

This funding opportunity is designed for organizations to create and implement media campaigns that reduce tobacco and nicotine use, promote cessation, and encourage healthier lifestyles among Oklahoma youth aged 13-18.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority, through the Iowa Arts Council, offers the Iowa Screenwriters Grant to support career advancement for Iowa screenwriters. The grant provides professional development resources tied to an active screenplay and aims to elevate the creative screenwriting industry in the state. Applicants may request between 500 and 2,500 dollars for one time project expenses incurred during the funding period from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. Eligible activities include conference or workshop registration, software or books for screenwriting, classes or apprenticeships, mentorship, and professional feedback on current work. Eligible screenplay formats include feature, short, web series, and episodic works including pilots and new seasons, as well as proof of concept and adaptations. Eligible applicants are individual screenwriters 18 years or older who are full time Iowa residents and who are currently registered in the Produce Iowa Production Directory. Projects must demonstrate clear professional development goals tied to the advancement of an active screenplay. Applications are due May 3, 2024. Additional information is available from the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

The City of Dunedin is currently accepting funding requests for its 2025 Aid to Social/Cultural Non-Profit Organizations program. This grant initiative is designed to support non-profit programs that provide broad benefits to the community and for which other City of Dunedin funding sources are not available. The program's mission aligns with enhancing community well-being by fostering social and cultural initiatives, demonstrating the City's commitment to supporting vital community services and enriching the lives of its residents through diverse programming. The target beneficiaries of this grant are the community as a whole, with a focus on programs from social/cultural non-profit organizations. The impact goal is to address specific community needs through various programs. The City of Dunedin emphasizes the importance of these organizations in contributing to the overall social and cultural landscape, ensuring that funding is directed towards initiatives that have a wide-reaching and positive effect on the population. Priority for funding will be given to programs that clearly demonstrate a benefit to the community as a whole and do not have alternative funding from the City. Organizations must submit a letter detailing the requested funding amount and justification, the specific community needs their programs address, how the funding will be utilized (e.g., personnel, operating, or capital costs), and the performance criteria for measuring community value. This structured approach ensures accountability and strategic allocation of resources. For organizations that received funding in FY 2024, a crucial requirement for eligibility is the submission of documentation illustrating the achievement of their FY 2024 public benefits and performance measures. This demonstrates the City's strategic priority on measurable results and accountability, aligning with a theory of change that effective funding leads to tangible community improvements. The expected outcomes are impactful social and cultural programs that are well-managed and deliver demonstrable value to the community.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local nonprofits and community organizations working to improve health outcomes and address disparities in mental health, financial stability, and access to healthcare for residents in the Emerson Health service area.

The Wells Fargo Equitable Access Boost Camp, presented in partnership with Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), is a program designed to support the growth of for-profit businesses. While the "foundation mission alignment" and "foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change" are not explicitly detailed as belonging to a specific "foundation" in the provided text, the program itself aligns with a mission of fostering entrepreneurship and providing equitable access to resources for business development. Hello Alice, as a donor and partner, likely brings its own mission of empowering entrepreneurs to the program. The target beneficiaries of this program are entrepreneurs who are leading executives (Founder, President, CEO, CFO, COO, or similar) of for-profit businesses located and registered in the fifty United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico. Officers must be legal residents and 18 years or older (19 in AL and NE). The businesses must also demonstrate a need for business coaching to support growth, indicating a focus on accelerating established or growing ventures rather than nascent startups. The program's priorities and focuses are centered around providing business coaching through a virtual 12-week Business Accelerator and a 12-week virtual business Boost Camp. The emphasis on a "Boost Camp" suggests a concentrated effort to provide intensive support to accelerate business development. The eligibility criteria, particularly the requirement for a demonstrated need for business coaching, underscore the program's focus on businesses ready to leverage structured guidance for expansion. Expected outcomes and measurable results, while not explicitly quantified in the provided text, can be inferred from the program's structure. The participation in a 12-week Business Accelerator and Boost Camp is expected to lead to business growth, improved strategic planning, and enhanced operational capabilities for the participating businesses. The "Equitable Access" in the program title further suggests an aim to reduce disparities in business success by providing resources to a broad range of eligible entrepreneurs. Ultimately, the program aims to empower businesses to achieve their growth potential through dedicated coaching and support.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations working on community-driven projects that enhance equitable access to services and strengthen resilience in West Hawai‘i.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in California, Oregon, and Washington that create career pathways and development programs for young people aged 11 to 24, with a focus on fostering career readiness and personal growth.

The Initiative Foundation offers grants to nonprofits and local government units, focusing on program or capacity-building support, projects that advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, and strategies to address workforce shortages. This aligns with the Foundation's mission to serve its 14-county region in Minnesota and Native nations of the Leech Lake and Mille Lacs Bands of Ojibwe, by fostering community and economic development. The grants are intended to be strategic investments, not ongoing support, with individual grants seldom exceeding $7,500. The grants target 501(c)(3) nonprofits, school districts, or local government units serving specific counties and Native nations within the Initiative Foundation's geographic service area. The impact goals are to strengthen communities by addressing urgent needs, particularly in low-income communities, promote behavioral change towards diversity, equity, and inclusion, and develop community-based solutions for regional workforce shortages, leading to family-sustaining wages. The Foundation prioritizes projects that demonstrably contribute to these outcomes. Priority consideration is given to proposals focusing on capacity-building support for nonprofits, especially those addressing urgent needs or low-income communities, including business planning, fund development, training, or pilot programming. Other key focuses include cost-share for projects creating behavioral change related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and advancement of community-based strategies to tackle regional workforce shortages in sectors with family-sustaining wages. Support for early-stage feasibility or pilot projects by local and regional community and economic development entities is also a priority. Expected outcomes include strengthened organizational capacity for nonprofits, measurable progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and tangible reductions in regional workforce shortages. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided text, the emphasis on "behavioral change" and "community-based strategies" implies a desire for demonstrable and sustainable impact. The Foundation's strategic priorities are clearly laid out in the priority areas, indicating a theory of change that by investing in these key areas, they can foster stronger, more equitable, and economically resilient communities. Ineligible expenses include grants to individuals and businesses, expenses incurred before grant receipt, capital expenses, projects not directly benefiting residents in the service area, replacement of government funding, religious activities, lobbying, school curriculum development or athletic programs, and out-of-state travel. Healthcare, arts, and historic preservation are not focus areas for discretionary grants, and potential applicants in these areas are encouraged to consult with staff before applying.

The 2025 Rec for All Programming Grant, administered by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), seeks to support community-based organizations in delivering inclusive and accessible recreational opportunities for youth in the District of Columbia. This initiative aligns with Mayor Bowser's goals of fostering physical, social, and emotional wellness while promoting skill development and community engagement. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Grants Management System by January 8, 2025, at 4:00 PM EST, and late or incomplete submissions will not be accepted. The program provides funding of up to $100,000 per award to support the launch or expansion of structured recreational programs. Eligible categories include Cultural Arts (e.g., mural development, theater, and drama therapy), Youth Development (e.g., leadership development and STEM/STEAM education), Environmental Initiatives (e.g., gardening and nutrition), Sports/Athletics (e.g., fitness and e-sports), and Therapeutic Recreation. Programs must deliver at least 120 hours of structured services over a minimum of six weeks to youth aged 6–18. Applicants must demonstrate their capacity to provide high-quality programming and align their proposals with DPR’s core values of equity, inclusion, empowerment, community, sustainability, and innovation. Proposals must include a detailed program narrative, participant recruitment strategies, an itemized budget, and proof of the program’s location and accessibility. Grantees are required to comply with reporting, monitoring, and branding requirements set by DPR, including regular updates and data collection. Applications will be evaluated by a review panel based on scoring criteria, including organizational and participant profiles, program description, and budget justification. The total funding pool for FY25 is $2 million, with multiple awards anticipated. Notifications of award decisions will be issued after a thorough review process, and grantees must meet compliance requirements, including background checks and site inspections, before program launch. Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to attend the pre-application meeting on December 17, 2024, at 11:00 AM at DPR Headquarters. For additional information or assistance, contact LaShaun N. Basil at [email protected]. Detailed requirements and application materials are available on the DPR Grants webpage.

The Greenbush Area Community Fund, managed by the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, offers grants to nonprofit or public entities within the Greenbush area of Minnesota. This grant program aims to support projects or activities that enhance and/or promote educational experiences and other related purposes aligned with the Greenbush Area Community Fund's mission. While the explicit mission of the Greenbush Area Community Fund is not detailed, the focus on community enhancement and specific areas of impact suggests an alignment with broader community development and quality of life improvement goals. The target beneficiaries of these grants are qualifying programs and services within the Greenbush area that serve the community. The impact goals are to support economic development, education, aesthetic enhancement, or youth and senior enrichment. The selection criteria emphasize how a project meets the Greenbush Area Community Fund's mission, its capacity to extend beyond traditional opportunities, and the number of participants or organizations served. This indicates a desire to foster innovative and far-reaching community initiatives. The grant program prioritizes projects within the areas of economic development, education, aesthetic enhancement, and youth and senior enrichment. Special consideration is given to applicants who partner with other qualifying organizations or include cash or in-kind matches, highlighting a strategic focus on collaboration and shared investment. This encourages a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to community improvement. Expected outcomes include enhanced educational experiences, improved economic conditions, more aesthetically pleasing community spaces, and enriched opportunities for youth and seniors. Measurable results would likely be tied to the number of participants served, the scope of the projects, and the demonstrable impact within the prioritized areas. The strategic priorities and theory of change appear to center on empowering local organizations to drive positive change through targeted investments that foster education, development, and community well-being, leveraging partnerships for greater collective impact.

The Community Driven Change open call by St. David's Foundation is a grant program designed to support organizations that empower community members in decision-making and leadership roles. This initiative aims to foster healthier communities within the Central Texas region, specifically targeting Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis, and Williamson counties. The program aligns with the Foundation's belief that addressing social and environmental conditions for generational change in historically marginalized communities requires mobilizing those closest to the problems, indicating a strategic priority on community-led solutions and a theory of change rooted in local empowerment. The target beneficiaries are community-led, community-focused organizations with a demonstrated impact in engaging residents to create healthier communities. The grant's impact goals center on supporting these organizations to achieve their health priorities, emphasizing access to quality healthcare, stable and affordable housing, pathways to healthcare employment, navigation and coordination of related services, and robust social networks. The program prioritizes organizations that effectively engage community members in leadership, fostering a sense of ownership and sustainable change. The program's focus is on awarding unrestricted, one-time operating grants to eligible organizations. Expected outcomes include strengthened community health initiatives and increased capacity for organizations working at the grassroots level. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the overall goal of achieving health priorities, the emphasis on demonstrated impact and community engagement suggests that the effectiveness of these organizations in fostering healthier communities will be a key indicator of success. The St. David's Foundation's strategic priorities are clearly demonstrated through this open call, which allocates up to $10 million in funding. The grant amounts are structured based on organization size, with a maximum of $250,000 for organizations with annual budgets between $250,000 and $500,000, and $500,000 for those with budgets over $500,000. This tiered funding approach suggests a commitment to supporting a range of impactful organizations. The distribution of funds is expected in October 2024, highlighting a clear timeline for the initiative.

This program provides mentorship and resources at no cost to young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30 in the U.S. to help them develop and scale their startups.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to independent Federally Qualified Health Centers in Eastern Massachusetts to establish new residency programs for Family Nurse Practitioners, enhancing primary care access in communities with low life expectancy.

This funding opportunity is designed to support Massachusetts residents pursuing training in high-demand clean energy careers by providing zero-interest loans for living expenses and tuition gaps.