For Funders

How do I contribute?

Workforce Matters is accepting contributions to the fund through our fiscal sponsor, Funders Together to End Homelessness.  Funders may make grants or commitments to Funders Together by September 30, 2024 to be included in Round 2 grantmaking in Spring 2025. 

Do I have to be a supporting member of Workforce Matters to contribute to the fund?

Any funder is welcome to contribute to the Fund for Workforce Equity. However, if a funder is not already a Workforce Matters supporting member, the first $1,500 of their contribution to the fund will go toward a supporting membership, which supports Workforce Matters’ overall programming and makes initiatives like the Fund for Workforce Equity possible.

Is there a minimum contribution?

Workforce Matters’ supporting members are welcome to make a gift of any size to the fund, but only those who give more than $25,000 annually will be invited to participate on the advisory committee of the fund.

How will governance and decision-making for the Fund work?

Funders who contribute $25,000 or more to the Fund for Workforce Equity may join the fund’s advisory committee, which will consist of both funders and stakeholders, but they are not required to do so. The advisory committee will meet quarterly or as needed to help determine the overall strategy, priorities, learning goals, and direction of the fund and weigh in on the grant docket for the fund.  The Workforce Matters Steering Committee will approve all grants from the fund.

Can I recommend applicants or projects for funding?

Yes! We welcome funders to share this opportunity with their grantees and networks. While we cannot guarantee that a grantee from your portfolio will receive funding, one of our goals is to share promising approaches to centering workers and learners of color with the Workforce Matters network to create greater awareness of good work happening in the field.

What if my foundation/organization has particular grantmaking interests or restrictions—like geography, sector, or target population? How can I participate?

We welcome you to participate!  We need and welcome your insights about promising strategies for engaging workers and learners from different specific target populations, industry sectors, or parts of the workforce ecosystem. We are happy to work with you to ensure that organizations that fit your foundation’s grantmaking priorities get the word about the opportunity to apply.  Beyond this, if you would like to contribute but need to earmark funds toward specific priorities or regions, please reach out to us at info@workforce-matters.org to discuss options for participation.

Will the fund include learning opportunities for funders?

Yes! We are supporting a process and outcomes evaluation as part of the fund and will share the results with the Workforce Matters network.  Contributors will also have the opportunity to learn in “real time” through the application and grantmaking process, if they wish to, and we will hold regular advisory committee meetings to share learnings and keep funders apprised of the work. 

What is the fund’s conflict of interest policy?

Funders and stakeholders who are part of the selection process must disclose any affiliations that may pose a potential conflict of interest.  Those with potential conflicts may still participate but will not be included in discussions or decisions about applicant organizations with which they have a significant affiliation.

Overview + How to Apply

How do I apply for funding?

Workforce Matters will send out an announcement through our newsletter, social media channels, and website when the RFP process is open. The RFP process will include two-stages. Stage 1 requires all interested organizations to respond to an initial LOI application. All approved LOI’s will advance to Stage 2 which will require the submission of a full proposal.  All proposals must be submitted through the JustFund platform. Click to view a recording of our September 4 webinar for interested applicants.

Is the only way to submit a LOI through the JustFund portal? Do I need to create a profile on the JustFund portal in order to submit?

Yes. The LOI must be submitted through the JustFund portal, and organizations will need to create an organizational profile prior to submitting the LOI if they don’t already have one.

Is there a PDF of the LOI questions that we can view before we complete the JustFund Common Application?

Yes. Please click here to view the PDF version of the LOI, but note that the LOI MUST be submitted through the JustFund platform. We will not accept email submissions.

Who should I contact for technical support while submitting my application?

We are partnering with JustFund to manage the application and review process for the Fund for Workforce Equity. If you need any technical support while using the platform to submit your application, please email support@justfund.us.

Do I have to be a member of Workforce Matters to apply?

No.  Applicants do not have to be members of Workforce Matters to apply.

Do I have to be nominated by a funder or Workforce Matters member to apply?

No. The Fund for Workforce Equity will have an open application process.

What is the deadline to apply?

The LOI submission deadline is September 16, 2024 by 9 pm EDT. Applicants moving to stage 2 will be invited to submit a full proposal in October 2024 and grants will be awarded by January 2025.

How much funding will be available?

We anticipate making grants of up to $100,000 per organization. The total number of grants awarded will depend on our fundraising.

Can I apply for more than one year of funding?

Round 2 of the Fund for Workforce Equity will have a two-year implementation period. If your project will take longer than two years to implement, you may stretch the funding out longer than two years, but the total grant award will not exceed $100,000/organization in this round of funding. Applicants that request more than $100,000 will be automatically disqualified.

Can you tell me more about the full proposal, if I am selected to apply?

If you are selected to submit a full proposal, you will be asked to submit more detailed information about the workers and learners you hope to engage, your approach to the work, what you hope to learn, and how you will compensate participating workers and learners. You will also be asked to share your definition of workforce equity and how you see your work advancing workforce equity. Finally, we may ask you to share about your previous work in this space, what you have learned, and how you might deal with change and challenges as you implement your work.

How will you evaluate the LOIs?

The following five categories will be used to score the LOI: Eligibility, Priorities, Approaches, Worker Engagement, Rationale. Each of these categories will be rated on a scale of 0-20, for a total possible score of 100 points.  

Are there word limits for each question on the LOI or proposal?

No, we have not established any word limits, but we have provided suggested response lengths as guidance to applicants. These are included in the JustFund platform.

What if I am not selected for funding? What resources are available to me?

We are working on putting together some technical assistance and learning opportunities for applicants as well as grantees and will announce these to the network when they are open for registration. In Round 1, these opportunities included webinars on gathering and utilizing feedback, journey-mapping, and sharing lessons learned from our first round of grantmaking.

Are organizations able to submit more than one application for this grant opportunity?

No. Each organization may submit no more than one application to this opportunity.

Terms and Definitions

What do you mean by workforce development?

In our Racial Equity Framework, we defined workforce development as a system that “aims to address the need for employment and advancement in the labor market through services, programs, systems, and networks that provide people with education, skill development and access to jobs. It also seeks to address the quantity, quality, and location of these jobs and to meet employer needs for a skilled workforce.” Our definition includes not only skills and training but also efforts to address job quality, worker voice and agency, and the social determinants of work.

What do you mean by workers and learners?

Workers and learners are people served by workforce development programs. They can be incumbent workers or job seekers/job candidates enrolled in education or training programs. This word choice recognizes worker and learner agency, aspirations, and expectations of quality service as they use the workforce ecosystem to advance toward their career goals.

What do you mean by historically marginalized or excluded populations? 

We are primarily referring to workers and learners negatively impacted by racial, ethnic, and gender disparities caused by structural and systemic racism. This includes workers and learners of color, Native Nations and communities, and immigrants and refugees. Within this broad group, we have identified specific populations of people with disabilities, immigrants and refugees, and youth/young adults whose intersectional identities may further amplify disparities in outcomes. That said, we are also open to and interested in applicants who may serve other populations such as workers and learners impacted by racial, ethnic, and gender disparities who also experience housing insecurity; who are veterans/transitioning service members; who identify as LGBTQ+; who are justice-impacted, etc. 

What do you mean by youth/young adults?

Workers and learners between the ages of 16-24, specifically those who are enrolled in workforce development programs and services.

Eligibility

Are higher education institutions eligible to apply?

Yes.

Is this round of funding prioritizing organizations that are at a particular level on the engagement spectrum?

No, but we will be looking for applicants who can clearly articulate where they are on the spectrum and how the funded work will move them closer to the “empower” end. 

Would union apprenticeship partnerships count as strategies to build worker power?

Yes. Union and/or labor management apprenticeship programs are welcome to apply, and we would still be looking for a clear articulation of how workers/learners are engaged in the design and implementation of the program, and how our funding would move the needle in terms of engagement.

Are national organizations eligible to apply?

Yes.

If you have previously applied for funding but have not been selected, are you eligible? 

Yes. Organizations are welcome to apply whether or not they were funded in Round 1.

Are you eligible to apply if you are funded by one of the Fund for Workforce Equity’s funding partners?

Yes, you are eligible to apply regardless of whether you are a current or past grantee of any of the Fund’s funding partners.

If we are a human services organization that provides a broad range of services including workforce development, are we eligible to apply?

Yes, but we will be looking specifically for information about how you will engage and involve workers and learners in your workforce development programs and services.

Can organizations that do policy research and advocacy work apply?

Yes, but we will be looking specifically for information about how you will engage and involve workers and learners in shaping, designing, or implementing your policy, research, and/or advocacy work.

What is the Fund’s Conflict of Interest Policy?

Funders and stakeholders who are part of the selection process must disclose any affiliations that may pose a potential conflict of interest.  Those with potential conflicts may still participate but will not be included in discussions or decisions about applicant organizations with which they have a significant affiliation.

Use of Funds

Can I apply for funding to start-up, support, or expand workforce development programs?

The intent of the Fund for Workforce Equity is not to provide general support for the implementation/delivery/expansion of workforce programs; rather the intent of the Fund is to support organizations’ work to involve, engage, and empower the workers and learners in the design and implementation of workforce programs. Within this context, our funding may be used flexibly to support staff time, overhead costs, and operating costs of workforce programs, but you must make the case that these costs are associated with implementing strategies to involve, engage, and empower workers and learners in shaping, improving, designing, and implementing workforce programs and policies.

Can we use funds for overhead/indirect expenses? Is there a maximum acceptable rate for indirect costs?

Yes–up to 25% of the grant budget may be used for indirect costs.

Can we apply for more/less than $100,000?

The maximum allowable grant request is $100,000 total over two years. Applicants may request less funding, but they may not request more. We will automatically deny applicants that request more than $100,000. 

Are subawards allowed? What about subcontracting?

Subcontracting is permitted, but regranting is not.

Can we use the funding for strategic planning work?

While we would likely not support an organization’s strategic planning process, a more limited request to support efforts to engage/involve/empower workers and learners as part of the strategic planning process to develop and/or implement workforce programming would be eligible for funding. Keep in mind, however, that we would be more likely to support ongoing/organizational changes that support longer term engagement of workers and learners versus one-time engagement efforts.

Application Process

How many full proposals will you invite?

Most likely between 15-20, out of which we will select ~7 grantees.

How many proposals did you receive in Round 1, and how many were funded?

We received 381 proposals, and 15 were funded. That is why we decided to move to an LOI process this time.

Do we have to create an account on JustFund? What is the benefit, and Is there a cost?

All applicants will need to create a JustFund account in order to apply. All LOIs MUST be submitted through JustFund. There is no cost to create this account. Once you are in the platform, you will be able to not only see and apply to our opportunity, but you will be able to see and apply to other funders/opportunities as well.

Are there word or character limits for the LOI?

There are no word or character limits, but we have provided guidance on response length in the LOI. Applicants responses can definitely be shorter than the suggested maximum length. Applicants may wish to draft their responses in Word or Google docs to get a sense of length before cutting and pasting into the JustFund form.

Will you provide feedback to organizations whose applications are declined?

We will provide feedback to those applicants who are selected to submit full proposals but are not funded. However, due to the anticipated volume of LOI submissions and our limited staff capacity, we will not be able to provide individualized feedback on each LOI. However, we hope to be able to provide one or more calls after the process is concluded for interested applicants to learn more about our selection process and what informed our decision making. 

In the JustFund Common Application, there is a field that asks for “Financial Need” as well as one that reads “Optional Note.” What do I enter in these fields?

Both of these are optionals fields in the JustFund Common Application, and you do not need to fill them out. You may choose to briefly discuss why the requested funding is needed and/or provide the total budget for the proposed project, but again, they are optional. Here is a link to a brief video explaining more about completing the common application. 

May I submit additional attachments about our program as part of the LOI?

No. Applicants may only submit the two required attachments in addition to their LOI responses.

Fiscally-Sponsored Organizations

If we are a fiscally-sponsored organization, do we submit an organizational budget for the fiscal sponsor, or for our program/organization?

Please submit the budget for the fiscally-sponsored organization/program, as opposed to the fiscal sponsor.

If we are in the midst of a fiscal sponsor transition, does this affect our ability to apply?

This should not affect your ability to apply, but we would appreciate being informed if/when the transition occurs if you are selected to submit a full proposal.

Does our organization need a committed fiscal sponsor in order to submit an LOI?

Yes.

Target Populations + Geography

Do applicants need to address all of the targeted populations or geographies? What if we fall outside of these areas/serve a population that is not named?

Applicants do not need to fit into these targeted population or geographic categories, but we are going to fund at least one grant in each of these geographies and at least one that primarily supports work with immigrants/refugees and one that primarily supports and works with workers and learners with disabilities.

Have you assigned relative weights to priority audiences?

No.

Can we choose more than one of the target populations/geographies if that applies to our work?

Yes.

Will you consider organizational submissions that prioritize other populations, such as justice-impacted individuals and/or returning citizens? 

Yes.

Focus of Work

What kind of projects did you fund in Round 1?

Applicants can learn more about the types of projects that were funded in Round 1 here and about our learning and evaluation here. 

Do you have any priorities for Round 2?

Yes. We are particularly interested in supporting the following approaches:

• Approaches that align or integrate worker rights and workforce development
• Approaches that focus on building worker power to improve workforce development programs, working conditions, and/or economic mobility
• Approaches that empower workers and learners to shape and implement workforce programs and policies
• Applicants committed to applying lessons learned to their own employment and organizational processes.

Technical Assistance, Learning, and Evaluation

Can you share more about the learning community? What are the requirements of the grantees?

The purpose of the learning community and technical assistance is to add value to the grantees and facilitate learning and exchange. You can expect to participate in 4-5 learning community meetings over the course of the grant, in addition to occasional technical assistance trainings. Most of the meetings/trainings will be held virtually over Zoom. We hope to convene the grantees at least once over the course of the two year period.

Can you share more about the evaluation?

We will be implementing a similar evaluation to Round 1. This will include interviews with grantee staff, virtual focus groups with workers and learners, and review of application and grantee materials. We expect to streamline these requirements as much as possible while also adding value to the grantees. Applicants can explore the Round 1 evaluation documents on our website to get a sense of our approach to learning and evaluation.

Reporting Requirements

What are the reporting requirements if we are selected for funding?

Our aim is to keep the reporting requirements relatively simple for grantees. As in Round 1, we will require an interim and final narrative report as well as a final financial report.