Private Workforce Development Grants

This grant provides unrestricted funding to nonprofits in Washington state that are focused on advancing equity in healthcare, climate and agricultural justice, and education, particularly for marginalized communities.

This grant provides funding to eligible organizations that support community programs focused on health, basic needs, workforce development, and youth development for low-income families in Wayne and Holmes Counties, Ohio.

The Alpena Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has established a Façade Improvement Grant Program for Commercial & Mixed-Use Properties. This program aims to enhance the aesthetic appeal and structural integrity of buildings within Alpena’s DDA district, thereby contributing to the overall revitalization of the downtown area. The DDA's mission aligns with this program by fostering economic development and creating a vibrant, attractive urban environment. The program was further bolstered in October 2023 when the Alpena DDA received a $400,000 grant through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Façade Restoration Initiative (FRI) Program, supplementing local funding and allowing for broader impact. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are owners of commercial and mixed-use properties located within the legal boundary of Alpena’s DDA district. These properties must be engaged in retail, restaurant, commercial, entertainment, office services, or be mixed-use. The primary impact goal is to encourage significant improvements to building façades, which in turn is expected to attract more businesses and visitors to the downtown area, leading to increased economic activity and a more appealing urban landscape. By improving the appearance and structural soundness of buildings, the program seeks to create a more inviting and prosperous downtown for residents and tourists alike. The program prioritizes several key areas for grant funding. Applicants can request funding for façades (front, side, or rear) that front on a public right of way (street, alley, or public parking lot). Greater consideration for funding will be given to work proposed on a façade fronting a city street, indicating a focus on highly visible areas that contribute most directly to the public perception of the downtown. Additionally, eligible buildings must demonstrate basic structural integrity and an intact roof, ensuring that the DDA’s investment in façade improvements is protected and sustainable. The program also emphasizes financial responsibility, requiring all property taxes and city accounts to be current. The expected outcomes of the Façade Improvement Grant Program are multifaceted. Measurable results include an increase in the number of revitalized façades, a potential rise in property values within the DDA district, and an overall enhancement of the downtown’s visual appeal. The program also aims to stimulate private investment by offering grants for up to 50% of eligible renovation costs, with a minimum award of $500. All projects must be completed by April 30, 2025, ensuring timely execution and visible impact. The DDA’s strategic priority is to create a thriving downtown, and this program contributes to that goal by directly addressing the physical appearance and condition of its commercial properties, aligning with a theory of change that posits improved aesthetics and infrastructure will lead to economic growth and community well-being.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries in the Black Hills region to address critical community issues such as education, mental health, substance abuse, and food security.

The OneOhio Recovery Foundation administers regional grants to support substance misuse prevention, treatment, recovery, and related abatement efforts across Ohio. The foundation distributes a portion of the states opioid settlement funds to address community needs today and invest in future public health outcomes. Funding priorities include treatment and healthcare services, intervention and crisis support, criminal legal system needs, recovery supports, prevention strategies, harm reduction, services for impacted children and families, public safety and first responder collaboration, workforce development, and infrastructure such as facility renovation, technology upgrades, and vehicles. Awards in this cycle will total no more than 51,194,220.72 dollars and may support projects of 12, 24, or up to 36 months. Eligible applicants include tax exempt organizations, private for profit organizations providing charitable purpose services, and state or local government entities. Projects should demonstrate measurable impact on opioid abatement and align with regional priorities. Applications are due May 3, 2024. Additional information is available from the OneOhio Recovery Foundation.

The Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA) is offering Undergraduate Student Artist Grants through its Artists 360 program, made possible by the Walton Family Foundation. This initiative is designed to provide practice-based grant funding to undergraduate student artists across all disciplines who are attending post-secondary institutions in specific Arkansas counties: Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Sebastian, and Washington. The core mission of Artists 360, and by extension this grant, aligns with energizing and elevating student artists in the greater Northwest Arkansas region, fostering their creative development and career advancement. The target beneficiaries for this grant are undergraduate student artists aged 18 or older, enrolled for the 2024-2025 school year in an accredited post-secondary institution within the designated Arkansas counties. This includes part-time or full-time students, regardless of their major, as long as they create work in any artistic discipline (e.g., dance, film, literary, music, theatre, visual art). The program specifically excludes those who have previously received an Artists 360 Student Grant or certain other M-AAA grants. The impact goals are to support individual artists' creative practices and career advancement, addressing their self-identified challenges and desired futures within the arts. The program prioritizes artists who demonstrate a well-developed creative practice, a deep commitment to their work, and a clear motivation to evolve. Review criteria focus on "Artistry," assessing the quality of work and process, and "Impact of Funding on Practice," requiring artists to articulate how the $2,500 grant will specifically benefit their careers. A key focus is also on achieving a "Balanced Cohort," ensuring a broad representation of perspectives, disciplines, and experiences among grant recipients. The expected outcome of the Artists 360 Undergraduate Student Artist Grants is the direct support and advancement of student artists' creative endeavors in Northwest Arkansas. While specific measurable results beyond the allocation of $2,500 grants per artist are not explicitly detailed, the program's emphasis on identifying the impact of funding on an artist's practice implies a focus on qualitative outcomes related to artistic growth and career trajectory. The Walton Family Foundation's support underscores a strategic priority to invest in regional artistic talent and cultural development, contributing to a vibrant arts ecosystem through direct funding to emerging artists.

The Washington State Department of Commerce is launching an accelerated cohort of its Innovation Cluster Accelerator Program (ICAP 2.5). This initiative is an economic development strategy designed to bolster industry ecosystems and stimulate economic growth across the state. The program aims to assist organizations in expanding cluster operations, fostering innovation in key sectors, and drawing in talent and capital. While not explicitly detailed as a "foundation mission alignment," the program's objectives clearly align with broader state economic development goals, serving as a strategic framework to enhance Washington's competitive advantage in global industry sectors. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are industry-led consortia/clusters that demonstrate a commitment to building successful clusters. These consortia must include academic membership, evidenced by a letter of commitment from a major university or community college within Washington State. Furthermore, eligible clusters must demonstrate over $500,000 in investment, which can include prospective federal funding. The program prioritizes clusters that are truly industry-led, ensuring that funding supports initiatives with strong private sector engagement and a clear path to market-driven innovation and growth. The program's priorities and focus areas are multifaceted, designed to strengthen Washington's economic landscape. Key goals include establishing Washington as a global leader in critical industry sectors, supporting technology transfer and commercialization, accelerating the growth of new start-ups and scale-ups, and expanding existing businesses. A significant focus is placed on creating high-value jobs across Washington, increasing export opportunities, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in both business ownership and the workforce. These priorities underscore a comprehensive approach to economic development that values innovation, job creation, and equitable growth. Expected outcomes and measurable results are integral to the ICAP 2.5. COMMERCE intends to award no more than 10 applications, with individual grants ranging from $50,000 to $150,000. The project period is tentatively set to commence around September 1, 2024, and conclude by December 31, 2024, indicating a short, high-impact performance window. The success of the program will be measured by its ability to drive cluster operations, innovation in key sectors, and the attraction of talent and capital, all contributing to the overarching goal of accelerating economic development and strengthening industry ecosystems. While a formal "theory of change" is not explicitly stated, the program's design implicitly operates on the theory that targeted investment in industry-led consortia will foster innovation, create high-value jobs, and ultimately establish Washington as a leader in key industry sectors, thereby increasing economic prosperity and global competitiveness.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities in the Brainerd Lakes region to support projects that improve community quality of life and address local needs.

This funding opportunity supports initiatives that promote economic mobility and wealth creation for communities of color and low-income individuals in California, focusing on workforce development for formerly incarcerated individuals and strengthening small businesses through culturally-effective support.

This funding opportunity supports coalitions of organizations in the Kansas City region working together to create lasting solutions that improve economic mobility for local residents.

This funding opportunity supports community organizations in implementing one-year projects that improve their capacity and effectiveness, focusing on initiatives that can be sustained without ongoing fundraising.

This funding opportunity supports initiatives that inspire diverse school-aged children to pursue careers in oral health, addressing workforce shortages and raising awareness about various oral health professions.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Texas nonprofit organizations focused on training workers in safe practices and creating career pathways in high-demand, middle-skill jobs to strengthen the state's workforce and enhance workplace safety.

This program provides $50,000 grants to early-stage North Carolina startups with innovative concepts and a strong market potential, along with mentorship and resources to accelerate their growth.

This funding initiative provides financial assistance to disadvantaged individuals looking to start or grow a business in the beef value chain in Texas or Oklahoma.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government-affiliated vocational and technical schools in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin to enhance workforce development in key industries like forestry and aircraft maintenance.

This program provides funding and resources to U.S.-based small businesses selling packaged products, helping them develop e-commerce skills and grow their online sales.

This program provides financial support and resources to early-stage social and environmental entrepreneurs in Greater Minnesota who are developing ventures that address social issues while generating revenue.

This funding opportunity supports Tennessee-based nonprofit organizations and local government entities in creating community-focused arts projects that enhance access to the arts and improve quality of life.

This program provides funding to pharmacists, pharmacy students, and community pharmacy residents to develop and implement innovative patient care services that address critical health challenges in community settings.