Workforce Development Grantmaking

Through the Alternative Education Initiative (AEI), the City of Boston supports youth who are working toward their high school diploma or its equivalent. AEI provides funds to alternative education programs where youth also receive wrap-around services and develop workforce readiness skills. Eligible youth are Boston residents, ages 16–24.

Example of a Past AEI Funding Opportunity:

1. Alternative Education Initiative Policy Principles for FY 2023
2. Alternative Education Initiatives FY 2023 Request for Proposals (RFP)

Boston receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under a formula based on several factors. The funds are received by the Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH) and are used primarily for affordable housing and economic development. HUD allows cities to use up to 15% of this money for human service programming. MOH partners with the Office of Workforce Development (OWD) to manage that portion of the CDBG allocation.

OWD issues competitive Requests for Grant Applications to award funding to Boston non-profit organizations that serve youth and adults. These funds are intended to be used to provide support services for economic security and enable individuals to access education or job training and, in turn, obtain the kinds of jobs capable of moving people out of poverty.

• Target Population: Low-income Boston residents of all ages. 
• Funding Timeline: 1-year contract, July 1- June 30. 2-year funding cycle with open and competitive every other year. 2025 will be a refunding year. The next open and competitive funding opportunity will be in 2026.
• Applicant Requirements: 501c3 organizations or fiscal sponsors that are 501c3.

Example of Past Funding Opportunity:

1. Community Development Block Grant - Public Services Funding Program Policy Principles for FY 2023
2. Community Development Block Grant - Public Services Funding Program FY 2023 RFP

The Good Jobs Metro Boston Coalition (GJMBC) aims to train and place residents in 4,618 quality jobs in childcare, healthcare, and clean energy industries. This program is funded by a $23 million Good Jobs Challenge grant awarded to the Office of Workforce Development by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). 

• Target Population: Unemployed and underemployed, incumbent workers, community college students, and BIPOC individuals in the Greater Boston Region.

This statement was prepared by the Economic Development and Industrial Corporation of Boston using federal funds under award ED22HDQ3070112 from the Economic Development Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Economic Development Administration or the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The Greater Boston Equitable Apprenticeship Pathways (GBEAP) program connects Boston residents to pre-apprenticeships leading to Registered Apprenticeship programs in construction, hospitality, healthcare, and the life sciences. This program is funded by a four-year, $3M Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) grant awarded to the Office of Workforce Development by the U.S. Department of Labor. 

The Greater Boston Equitable Apprenticeship Pathways Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor as part of an award totaling 100% of $3M with 0% of $0 state, local, and/or non-federal sources.

Developers of commercial and institutional development over 50,000 square feet pay linkage fees to the Neighborhood Jobs Trust (NJT) and the Neighborhood Housing Trust. In general, NJT funds are awarded through competitive RFGAs issued when enough money has accumulated in the Trust. This money can be used for jobs or job training. Learn more here.

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) provides federal formula funds to each state through the Department of Labor. The Office of Workforce Development (OWD) administers Boston's portion, with oversight from the Boston Private Industry Council.

Boston's WIOA Title I Youth (WIOA Y) funds are distributed to alternative education, career exploration, and training programs. Youth can earn a high school diploma or its equivalent, gain work experience, and/or earn a recognized certificate. All WIOA youth complete academic and career assessments which then inform their individualized program plan. Throughout the program, organizations offer a wide array of supports including: 

• financial literacy, 
• counseling, 
• referrals, 
• subsidized work experience, 
• and mentoring. 

Youth then take the next step to enroll in post-secondary education, enroll in training programs, and gain employment. Eligible youth are Boston residents, ages 18–24 who face barriers to employment.

• Funding Timeline: 1-year contract, July 1- June 30. 3-year funding cycle with open and competitive every 2 years. This year will open and be competitive for Fiscal Year 2026. 
• Applicant Requirements: Program participants must be Boston residents ages 14-24 who face a barrier to employment. Entities applying for funding must be 501c3.

Example of Past Funding Opportunity:

1. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA Y) Youth Program Policy Principles for FY 2023
2. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title I Youth FY 2023 RFP

Boston's WIOA Adult funding provides workforce development activities that increase the employment, retention, and earnings of participants by increasing the occupational skill attainment of participants, improving the quality of the workforce, reducing welfare dependency, and enhancing productivity and competitiveness throughout the country. WIOA encourages businesses to participate in the local delivery of workforce development services through workforce investment boards, chaired by private sector members of the local community. WIOA funds are distributed annually to low-income Boston residents and job seekers looking to re-enter the workforce after a layoff or plant closure. OWD administers the annual distribution of Individual Training Accounts (ITA) via the two MassHire Career Centers. Individuals have the option to receive reemployment services and/or attend occupational skills training programs in a variety of industries and sectors, including healthcare, information technology, culinary arts, and transportation, among others. To apply to become an ITA vendor, please visit the State’s Office of Labor and Workforce Development website.

OWD also administers National Emergency Grants (NEG). NEGs expand the service capacity of WIOA by offering reemployment services to dislocated workers affected by plant closings and large layoffs.

YouthWorks is a state-funded youth employment program administered by Commonwealth Corporation. Through the YouthWorks Summer Jobs grant and the YouthWorks Year-Round Jobs grant, the Office of Workforce Development (OWD) ensures that Boston youth ages 14-24 are employed throughout the year. OWD uses these funds to support non-profits that provide Boston youth with these services.

• Target Population: Boston youth ages 14-24