Apply Now for Powering Economic Opportunity Fund (US)

The Powering Economic Opportunity Fund is inviting applications from eligible organizations to support employer partnerships that improve work-based learning, job quality, and long-term career opportunities for workers in the energy, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

The fund focuses on helping employers develop stronger workforce systems by improving hiring practices, creating learning opportunities, supporting worker retention, and building pathways to stable, living-wage careers. It aims to address skilled workforce shortages while preparing workers for changing job markets influenced by technology, modernization, and artificial intelligence (AI).

About the Powering Economic Opportunity Fund

The Powering Economic Opportunity Fund is a workforce development grant program designed to strengthen partnerships between employers, training organizations, unions, and industry groups.

The fund addresses challenges faced by employers in sectors experiencing rapid transformation, including:

• Energy
• Infrastructure
• Advanced manufacturing
• Skilled trades
• Technology-driven workplaces

The program recognizes that workforce training alone is not enough to create sustainable employment outcomes. It supports projects that improve employer practices, workplace systems, and career advancement opportunities.

The initiative is part of a multi-year partnership with the Families and Workers Fund and aims to create long-term improvements in how employers recruit, train, support, and retain workers.

Why This Fund Matters

Many industries are facing shortages of skilled workers while workers are seeking better pathways to stable employment.

The fund supports solutions that help:

• Create stronger connections between employers and workforce programs.
• Improve access to high-quality jobs.
• Develop employer-led training models.
• Increase worker retention and career advancement.
• Expand opportunities for workers entering new industries.
• Prepare employees for changing workplace demands caused by automation and AI.

The program particularly focuses on creating durable career pathways that provide workers with living wages, recognized skills, and long-term employment security.

Funding Information

The Powering Economic Opportunity Fund provides flexible grants to support workforce innovation projects.

Key funding details include:

• Maximum grant amount: Up to $500,000 per organization.
• Total funding available: $4 million for Round 2.
• Grant duration: One or two years.
• Funding type: Flexible grant support.

The fund prioritizes projects that demonstrate strong economic impact, including a goal of generating at least $100 in increased worker earnings for every $1 invested by the Foundation.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• U.S.-based nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status.
• Fiscally sponsored organizations.
• Non-501(c)(3) organizations applying with a 501(c)(3) partner or fiscal sponsor.

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to manage and implement workforce development initiatives.

Mandatory Partnership Requirements

Every proposal must include an active partnership with at least one of the following:

• Employer.
• Labor union.
• Industry association.
• Workforce or industry partner.

Applications without an established employer or industry partnership will not move forward after concept note review.

Strong partnerships should demonstrate practical employer involvement, such as:

• Hiring commitments for program participants.
• Employer-supported work-based learning opportunities.
• Employer-recognized credentials.
• Co-designed training curriculum.
• Employer financial contributions.
• Career advancement pathways.

Priority Areas and Supported Activities

The fund supports projects that improve workforce systems and job quality through activities such as:

• Developing employer-led training programs.
• Expanding apprenticeships and work-based learning.
• Creating industry-recognized credential pathways.
• Improving recruitment strategies.
• Supporting workers from new talent pools.
• Strengthening employee retention practices.
• Designing better workplace advancement systems.
• Building partnerships between employers and training providers.

Projects should focus on long-term improvements rather than short-term workforce placement alone.

How the Program Works

Selected organizations are expected to implement projects that create measurable improvements in workforce outcomes.

Successful projects should:

1. Identify workforce challenges
   • Understand employer needs and worker barriers.
   • Identify skills gaps and employment challenges.
2. Build employer partnerships
   • Engage companies, unions, or industry groups.
   • Develop shared goals and responsibilities.
3. Create work-based learning opportunities
   • Provide practical training connected to real jobs.
   • Develop recognized skills and credentials.
4. Improve job quality
   • Support better wages, benefits, retention, and advancement opportunities.
5. Measure impact
   • Track worker outcomes.
   • Demonstrate improvements in earnings, employment stability, and career growth.

Application Requirements

Applicants should prepare proposals that clearly explain:

• The workforce challenge being addressed.
• The employer or industry partnership involved.
• The target workers or communities served.
• The planned activities and implementation strategy.
• Expected employment and wage outcomes.
• Long-term sustainability plans.

Proposals should also explain how successful approaches will continue after grant funding ends.

Sustainability Expectations

The fund encourages projects that can continue beyond the grant period through sustainable financing and partnerships.

Applicants should describe plans such as:

• Continued employer investment.
• Public workforce funding.
• Industry contributions.
• Collective bargaining agreements.
• Long-term partnerships with training providers.

Sustainable models should allow workforce improvements to continue after the initial grant support.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Submitting proposals without an employer or industry partner.
• Focusing only on training without addressing job quality.
• Providing unclear workforce outcomes.
• Failing to explain how workers will advance after training.
• Creating projects that cannot continue after funding ends.
• Not including measurable impact indicators.
• Ignoring employer involvement in program design.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of the Powering Economic Opportunity Fund?

The fund supports employer partnerships that improve work-based learning, job quality, and career opportunities in energy, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Who can apply for this grant?

Eligible applicants include U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits, fiscally sponsored organizations, and non-501(c)(3) organizations applying with an eligible nonprofit partner or fiscal sponsor.

Is an employer partnership required?

Yes. Every proposal must include an active partnership with an employer, union, association, or industry organization.

How much funding can organizations receive?

Organizations can receive grants of up to $500,000.

What types of projects are supported?

The fund supports projects involving workforce development, apprenticeships, employer-led training, job quality improvements, credential programs, and career advancement pathways.

How long can funded projects last?

Grants may support projects lasting one or two years.

What outcomes should applicants demonstrate?

Applicants should show measurable improvements in worker earnings, employment stability, skill development, retention, and career progression.

Conclusion

The Powering Economic Opportunity Fund provides significant support for organizations working to improve workforce systems in energy, infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing sectors. By strengthening employer partnerships, expanding work-based learning, and improving job quality, the program aims to create sustainable career pathways and help workers succeed in a changing economy.