workforce development in Philadelphia – Aug 1

Posted by William Penn Foundation on July 30, 2024

William Penn Foundation invites applications for workforce development in Philadelphia

Founded in 1945 by Otto and Phoebe Haas, the William Penn Foundation (WPF) aims to play an important role in improving the quality of life in Greater Philadelphia.

The foundation has issued an RFP to reduce barriers to accessing and completing workforce training in Philadelphia. To that end, WPF aims to expand the effectiveness of high-quality workforce training by reducing the barriers to accessing and completing workforce programs, transitioning to employment, and successfully completing the first year of employment. Through this funding opportunity, WPF will support initiatives and programs that result in career entry and advancement for populations facing significant barriers (e.g., young people, ages 16-24, who are not in school and not working; returning citizens or individuals with justice system involvement; and immigrants) to achieving economic mobility for themselves and their families.

This funding opportunity is not intended to support the creation of new workforce training programs, but rather to provide the additional resources needed to address persistent barriers to securing and retaining employment. Competitive proposals will be able to quantify the projected increase in the number of individuals facing high barriers that will complete training, transition to, and retain employment resulting from WPF’s investment.

WPF has $5 million available to advance this objective. There is no minimum or maximum that organizations may request, and WPF is requesting proposals for two-year projects.

Applicants must be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)(3) public charities or operate under a public charity fiduciary. Public charities include community-based organizations, schools and educational institutions, and other types of public-serving groups. Government entities are also eligible to apply.

Applicants are asked to submit a proposal on the foundation online submission system by August 1, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET. A WPF team will review all proposals and notify applicants by August 16, 2024, if they have been selected to move forward in the review process. Site visits will be conducted between August 19 and September 6, 2024, with project implementation to begin by November 2024.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the William Penn Foundation website.

Deadline: August 1, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. ET