Economic Development, Workforce Grants
Economic development and workforce grants support local units of government, Tribal governments and economic development nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status. We have strong interest in early-stage or pilot projects, or new strategies that encourage economic development including workforce housing development and initiatives that attract and retain workers in the region.
Organizations are not eligible to receive more than one grant within a single calendar year.
We fund projects that …
- create new partnerships to support sector-specific apprenticeships, internships or mentoring programs
- encourage building workforce housing
- incentivize business growth that provides family sustaining wages to employees
- encourage entrepreneurial activity
- complete feasibility analysis or other preliminary design or business model assessment.
We don’t fund community marketing, billboard campaigns or general marketing programs. We also don’t fund single-company or organization-focused projects such as marketing and recruitment campaigns, human resources costs such as onboarding or training, or other expenses that are routine costs of operation.
The maximum grant amount is $10,000.
- May 9, 2025
- Nov. 14, 2025
Grant Questions
Staff support typically is available from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday.
Initiative Foundation staff members respect that there are varying levels of experience in completing applications and encourage open communication with applicants needing additional assistance. Send an email to grants@ifound.org with questions.
