Fund for Workforce Equity

The Fund for Workforce Equity is a pooled fund, supported by Workforce Matters, that aims to center workers and learners most impacted by racial, ethnic, and gender disparities in workforce policy and program design and implementation. The Fund does this by providing flexible resources and support to workforce development organizations seeking to pilot and learn from new strategies as well as innovate on or extend existing strategies. 

Letters of inquiry (LOIs) are being accepted from August 16-September 16, 2024 for the Fund via the JustFund platform. In this round of funding, the Fund anticipates awarding up to seven, two-year grants of $100,000 each to organizations working to center the voices of workers and learners in designing, developing, and implementing workforce programs and policies.

The Fund for Workforce Equity will utilize a two-stage application process in this round of funding based on feedback from applicants in Round 1. Key dates are below:

• Letters of Inquiry will be accepted through the JustFund portal from August 16-September 16. 
• Invitations to submit full proposals will be issued to selected applicants by October 1.
• Full proposals will be due by October 31, also through the JustFund portal.
• Grant award letters will be issued the week of January 6, 2025.
• Within the broader eligibility criteria, the Fund for Workforce Equity has established a few priority areas and populations for this round of funding:
  • Populations: Workers and learners with disabilities, refugees and immigrants, youth and young adults 
  • Geographies: All U.S. based applicants are welcome to apply. However, we do have some funds set aside for organizations based in California, Southeast Michigan, and Western NY. More details about these geographies is included in the LOI/Request for Proposal.

An Applicant Webinar will be held on September 4, 2024 at 3:30 pm ET.