Please review the Fund Overview and Concept Note for more details.

Clean energy, the development of electric vehicles and batteries, weatherization, and the improvement of the electrical grid and utilities - the definition of a green job is broad and can encompass a range of titles and job functions.

We are accepting proposals incorporating a range of positions and industries, whether a traditional or emerging sector. However, in every case, we seek proposals promoting job quality, living wages, and career track opportunities.

We anticipate that the type and approach will be dependent on local community dynamics and/or demographics.

Not at this moment. However, we are cognizant of employment projections and realize that some industries are primed for rapid growth. We often use BLS, Lightcast, and research papers as resources and will do so as we evaluate proposals.

We are focused on elevating people to living wage jobs in their local context. Given this, we encourage applicants to focus on working with people who have been historically marginalized, have limited educational or work opportunities, or face significant barriers. You are not required to use the following resources, but they may be helpful while building your application:

Climate and Clean Energy Equity Fund, Federal Funding Tracking Tool

Dream.Org, Climate Finance Guide

EIG, Distressed Communities Index

HUD, Funding Navigator Tool

JFF Labs, Climate Innovation

Opportunity Insights

The Project on Workforce

All progress starts with taking a risk on a new idea. While other organizations have built initiatives focused on shovel-ready projects that advance green jobs-related workforce outcomes, this fund is designed to invest in innovative programs and partnerships that might have large-scale impacts over time.

We hope to help transformative projects build evidence, drive prototypes, attract or leverage public or private funding, and develop early partnerships or other activities that help them scale their outcomes.

The examples below help illustrate these types of projects in action:

Coalfield Development Corporation leverages GitLab Foundation funding to unlock more than $4M in public and private funds to expand their solar micro-credential program in Appalachian communities.

GRID Alternatives leverages GitLab Foundation funding to expand training programs in underinvested communities across the country. The organization will pilot an Installation Basics Training program in Puerto Rico and will expand its solar program in Native American communities.

Jobs to Move America (JMA) deploys GitLab Foundation funding to develop Community Benefit Agreements (CBA) with private employers such as New Flyer, which leverages Inflation Reduction Act funding for electric bus manufacturing. JMA’s new Community Benefits Agreement Resource Center will act as a comprehensive solution to expedite CBA development among private, public, and nonprofit actors.

We are looking for high-ROI projects that align with the Foundation’s Green Jobs and Emerging Talent Demand thesis. This can include:

Testing, innovating, and experimenting

Developing infrastructure that will help your idea scale

Setting up a framework for collaboration

Creation of a public good that can help others replicate initiatives

Partnerships with employers, networks, and coalitions

Unlocking or leveraging public funding

Our approach to Impact Modeling, Measurement, and Learning includes:

Depth

The degree to which your program will increase an individual’s income compared to a comparison group/counterfactual.

Breadth

The number of people your initiative will reach. If this grant is to launch a new program, determine how many people will be impacted over the next five years.

Cost Efficiency

The cost to impact your beneficiaries - the more cost-efficient, the higher the ROI.

We understand that some initiatives take more than one year, and are open to up to two-year grants. Grant timelines are up to you, but we prioritize action-oriented shorter-term ideas.

If you will be proposing a two-year idea, please note how you will increase employment or wages within the first year and how you will track income gain.

Grant awards will not increase if you propose a multi-year project.

While we encourage creativity, organizations are limited to one concept note submission during the solicitation period.

No, we will only accept one proposal per applicant - this includes your participation in group applications.

Yes, we encourage partnerships, especially those that help drive durable employment opportunities. This can include as many partners as you need and represent employers, community colleges, nonprofits, etc.

Note that we will only accept one proposal per applicant or group of applicants.

Intermediary organizations applying with entities outside of their organizational umbrella may apply under the partnership category. However, please apply as an individual if you will be applying with just your organization and/or local offices.

We will try to provide feedback to the organizations whose proposals are not selected in the concept note stage and will provide feedback for those who complete a full application. Additionally, even if not funded in the current cycle, all organizations will have the opportunity to maintain contact with the Foundation in case of future funding opportunities.

At the moment, we are only accepting applications from new grantees.