Category Archives: Economic Development

Good Jobs in Clean Energy Prize

The Good Jobs in Clean Energy Prize is a U.S. Department of Energy American Made Challenge. The goal of this Challenge is to create high quality jobs and build an equitable and inclusive workforce in the clean energy sector.

Through a 3 Phase process, coalitions from across the country will compete for a part of the $3,375,000 prize pool. Registration for Phase 1 ends January 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM ET. Applicants can register and find coalition members through Herox.

Eligibility

This competition is open to coalitions that either formed after the Prize was announced or established a new or amended goal after the Prize was announced. Coalitions must, at minimum, have one member from:

  • A labor organization
  • A clean energy employer
  • A community-based organization
  • A public agency
  • An education or workforce provider

Competition Phases

Phase 1: Coalition Formation

Over the course of 6 months, coalitions will form and identify:

  • A clean energy employment opportunity in their community
  • The target population they will serve
  • Workforce challenges
  • Their anticipated high-level scope of work during Phases 2 and 3

Up to 15 teams will receive $50,000 each and proceed to Phase 2.

Phase 2: Coalition Action Plan

Phase 2 is an additional 6 month period, during which coalitions will participate in a virtual DOE-provided High Road training and develop their own Action Plan. Up to 10 teams will receive $100,000 each and proceed to Phase 3.

Phase 3: Implementation and Impact

Coalitions that make it to Phase 3 will have 12 months to implement their Action Plan. They will also measure its impact on job quality and access for their target population and employment opportunity. All Phase 3 participants have the opportunity to receive an additional monetary prize.

  • First place – $300,000
  • Second place – $250,000
  • Third place – $200,000
  • Up to seven runners-up – $125,000 each

U.S. Venture Program Grants

Program Grants from U.S. Venture support organizations improving the quality of people’s lives and strengthening the communities where their facilities are located.

Applications are accepted quarterly. Due dates for 2025 are January 24th, April 25th, July 25th, and October 24th. All applications must have documented support from a U.S. Venture team member or shareholder.

Eligibility

This grant is open to nonprofit organizations, preferably with a 501(c)3 designation, within the geographic footprint of U.S. Venture facilities.

Focus Areas

Applications will be considered that focus on one or more of the following:

  • Education
  • Jobs & Economy
  • Family Support & Social Connectedness
  • Physical Health
  • Psychological Health & Addiction
  • Human Services

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used for a specific program, capital support, or general operating expenses.

Required Attachments

All applications must include:

  • Current Annual Organization Budget
  • Current Organization Balance Sheet
  • End of Year Financials (previous 2 years)
  • 990 Form
  • W-9
  • Board of Directors Roster

Cisco Global Impact Cash Grant Program

The Cisco Global Impact Cash Grant Program supports innovative approaches to critial social challenges in four areas: Crisis Response, Education, Economic Empowerment, and Climate Impact and Regeneration.

Letters of Inquiry from eligible applicants are accepted on a continual basis. First time applicants may request up to $75,000.

Eligibility

This grant is open to organizations that:

  • Have a 501(c)3 nonprofit designation or their country’s equivalent
  • Serve an audience made up of 65% or more economically served people relative to the average standards of the target geography
  • Has overhead expenses of 25% or less. Exceptions will be made in exceptional and justified cases.

Public and private universities and for-profit entities may be considered for Climate Impact and Regeneration ONLY.

Funding Limitations

Grant funding may not be used for:

  • General operating expenses
  • Research
  • Events
  • Healthcare
  • Schools and scholarships

Evaluation Criteria

All applications will be reviewed based on:

  • Addresses a critical social challenge with unmet need
  • Incorporates metrics to measure program impact
  • Serves the underserved 
  • Makes innovative use of technology
  • Employs an innovative approach with potential for broad impact
  • Is designed to be replicable, scalable, and sustainable
  • Possesses outstanding leadership

Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing

Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing is a program from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to support communities actively removing barriers to affordable housing.

HUD expects to make 30 awards of $1 million – $7 million for a 6 year grant period. Applications are due by October 15, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET. Cost sharing is not required but points will be awarded for leveraging funds.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • Municipal and county governments
  • State governments
  • Metropolitan Planning Organizations
  • Multijurisdictional entities

Barriers to Affordable Housing

Projects should focus on removing barriers such as:

  • Outdated zoning, land use policies, or regulations
  • Inefficient procedures
  • Gaps in available development resources
  • Deteriorating or inadequate infrastructure
  • Lack of neighborhood amenities
  • Challenges to preserving existing housing stock including threats from natural hazards, redevelopment pressures, or expiration of affordability requirements

Program Priorities

Image by Wallula

Priority consideration will be given to applicants who:

  • Have demonstrated a commitment to increasing affordable housing through new laws and regulations
  • Have an acute need for housing for households with incomes below 100 percent of the area median income
  • Are committed to promoting desegregation through their housing efforts
  • Are committed to promoting affordable housing for protected classes in areas where they have previously been excluded
  • Are committed to increasing housing choice and making affordable housing less concentrated

Allowable Activities

Grant funds may be used for activities related to:

  • Planning and policy
  • Development
  • Infrastructure
  • Preservation

Public Comment Requirement

All applicants are required to publish their application for public comment for 15 days and hold at least one public hearing with reasonable notice. Grantees will also be required to provide ongoing public access to information about how funds have been used.

JustPax Fund

The JustPax Fund supports projects that are establishing new paradigms for Economic, Environmental, and Gender Justice. In 2024, they expect to award up to $500,000 in grant funds.

Awards have typically been up to $25,000 for single year projects. Higher amounts and longer time periods are possible for extraordinary projects. Applications are due by August 1, 2024 at 5:00 PM ET.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • Tax exempt organizations based in the United States
  • Individuals associated with a US-based tax exempt organization
  • Non-exempt organizations associated with a US-based tax exempt organization
  • International organizations associated with a US-based tax exempt organization

Anyone, regardless of profession, academic field, or organization type, who is passionate about pursuing justice is encouraged to apply. However, funding cannot be transferred directly to individuals or organizations without tax exempt status from the IRS

Funding Limitations

Applications for the following expense types are discouraged:

  • Salaries or institutional benefits
  • Operating costs for established programs
  • Tuition assistance
  • Endowments
  • Development campaigns

Requirements

All submitted projects must be:

  • Novel and Innovative – Submitted programs must use unique and creative methods to address the issues of economic, environment, and gender justice.
  • Interdisciplinary and Action Oriented – Inclusion of diverse voices is key and plans to involve them should be outlined in the application. Projects are also urged to include actionable strategies that produce measurable results.
  • Endorsed by at least two letters of support from partner organizations.

Evaluation Criteria

All applications will be assessed based on:

  • Breadth – Potential to create interest in the topic among a wider audience.
  • The Multiplier Effect – Degree of ability to leverage additional resources to sustain the project, while taking into account negative and positive impacts.
  • Relevance – How pertinent the project is to the issues of economic, environmental, and gender justice and how novel its methodology is.
  • Dedication – Applicant’s personal interest in and commitment to the issue as demonstrated by past activities and long term intentions.
  • Stewardship and Impact of Investment – How effectively the proposal would use the requested funds.

Teshinsky Family Foundation: Manufacturing Workforce Training Grant

The Teshinsky Family Foundation‘s Manufacturing Workforce Training Grant supports programs that provide training and employment assistance in the manufacturing fields. Organizations may apply for a Program Grant or Equipment and Capital Grant.

Inquiry forms are due by July 26, 2024. If invited, full applications for $25,000 – $100,000 will be due September 30, 2024. Virtual or in-person site visits for finalists will take place in October and November.

Eligibility

This grant is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations serving participants 18 or older.

For profit businesses, institutions of higher education, and labor, alumni, or fraternal groups are not eligible.

Grant Types 

  • Program Grants – Covers direct instruction and program costs
  • Equipment and Capital Grants – Covers new, updated equipment and updated or enhanced facilities

Program Requirements

Eligible programs must provide all elements.

Training

Training should be at no cost to participants; stipends for program attendance are preferred. It should include professional skills required to achieve and maintain long-term employment in addition to hands-on skill such as:

  • Additive manufacturing
  • Blueprint reading
  • CAD/CAM/other design software
  • Industrial maintenance
  • Robotics

Employer Relations & Jobs Pipeline

Programs should have relationships with area manufacturing employers that serve as a pipeline to employment for program graduates. They should also provide training relevant to entry level positions with these employers. Direct involvement of employers in curriculum development is preferred.

Case Management Services

Participants should receive support and resources to help them succeed in their chosen path. Intensive career counseling should be provided along with career retention support.

Target Foundation National Programs

The Target Foundation awards grants at the Local, National, and Global levels to organizations that align with their vision of giving all families and communities the resources to find their own joy.

National grants are available to organizations anywhere in the United States or its protectorates. Applications are by invitation only, but groups who believe that their work fits with the Foundation’s mission are encouraged to submit an Information Form at any time.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations
  • Accredited schools
  • Public agencies

Priority is given to organizations addressing the systemic barriers faced by BIPOC individuals.

Focus Areas

  • The changing nature of work – Providing low-income individuals with the resources and opportunities to succeed
  • Financial resilience and inclusion – Helping low-income workers and families achieve financial stability and a sense of control over their financial lives

The Workers Lab Innovation Fund

The Innovation Fund is a five month virtual fellowship sponsored by The Workers Lab. Participants engage in 12-15 hours of coaching and training per month for which they receive a stipend.

Applications are due by July 15, 2024 at 11:59 PM PT for a fellowship from October 2024 – March 2025. Three final winners will be announced in April 2025; they will receive up to $200,000 and a full year mentorship.

Eligibility

This fellowship is open to individuals and organizations in the United States with a valid United States Tax ID or social security number. This includes:

  • For profit companies
  • Social enterprises
  • Cooperatives
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Unions and government-aligned entities
  • Individual entrepreneurs

Topic Areas

The Innovation Fund is focused on two topic areas for 2024.

Climate Justice is Workers’ Justice

Projects under this topic should concentrate on addressing climate change and/or environmental justice while also attending to workers’ rights. These project should:

  • Bolster the transition to a green economy through high quality work
  • Modernize industries on the frontlines of climate change
  • Address the needs of workers most impacted by climate change

Worker-Centered Gen AI Solutions

Projects under this topic should apply artificial intelligence to improve working conditions and create new opportunities for workers. These projects should:

  • Empower workers
  • Make economic stability more equitable
  • Promote worker health and safety

Allowable Expenses

Grant funding is fairly flexible so long as funds are going toward the proposed project. Up to 15% of grant funds may be used for indirect costs.

Community Economic Development Planning Projects

Community Economic Development Planning Projects from the Administration for Children and Families support the development of community economic development projects in underserved areas.

Ten grants of $75,000 – $150,000 are expected to be awarded for a grant period of 24 months. There is no matching requirement. Applications are due by July 2, 2024.

Eligibility

This grant is open to 501(c)3 Community Development Corporations.

Potential Activities

Grant funds may used for activities such as:

  • Stakeholder meetings to discuss economic development goals and strategize a path forward
  • Creating or updating Community Economic Development visioning statements or plans
  • Data collection and/or analysis of existing data on local economic assets and potential markets for business development
  • Researching other funding sources that can be leveraged along with grant funds
  • Creating a business plan for economic development
  • Attending workshops, conferences, etc.

Funding Limitations

Grant funds may not be used for:

  • Construction. 
  • Purchase of real property.
  • Major renovation. 
  • Subawards/pass-throughs

Review Criteria

All applications will be reviewed based on:

  • Need for assistance – 10 points
  • Objective and expected outcomes – 15 points
  • Clear and well-conceived approach – 30 points
  • Organizational capacity – 25 points
  • Letters of support – 5 points
  • Budget and budget justification – 15

Applicants also have the opportunity to earn bonus points for:

4th Global Gastronomy Tourism Startup Competition

The Global Gastronomy Tourism Startup Competition is an inititative of the United Nations World Tourism Organization. It was created to identify challenges and support innovation in the gastronomy tourism sector.

Applications for the 4th annual competition are due by June 6, 2024. The award does not come with a monetary prize, but does have numerous benefits to help build your startup.

Eligibility

This competition is open to for-profit and nonprofit organizations from anywhere in the world who meet the following criteria:

  • Operating in the Gastronomy Tourism Sector
  • Using innovative methods in comparison to similar businesses
  • Focusing on social needs such as employability and gender equity
  • Ability to enact localized social change
  • A tested product or service
  • The potential to scale up the business in the short to medium term
  • Ability to quickly implement collaborative development of products or services
  • A committed team with the knowledge to achieve their goals
  • Adherence to the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals

Benefits

Image by djedj

Finalists will receive:

Categories

Applicants may apply in one of three categories:

  • New Technologies – Startups developing and promoting a product or service with a high technological component
  • Local Impact – Startups developing and promoting a project with a high degree of transformation and social improvement
  • Sustainability and Waste Management – Startups developing and promoting a project with a focus on sustainability and/or food waste generated by tourists

They may also apply for one of four types of product or service:

  • Physical product
  • Service
  • Software
  • New business model for tourism