GitLab Foundation and Families and Workers Fund Launch Year Two of the Powering Economic Opportunity Fund

July 15, 2026 — GitLab Foundation and the Families and Workers Fund (FWF) today announced the launch of Round 2 of the Powering Economic Opportunity Fund (PEOF), the second year of a two-year, $16 million partnership designed to help workers access durable, living-wage careers in sectors experiencing sustained growth across the United States, including renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure and related skilled trades.

The launch comes at a moment when significant investment is needed. Across the United States, the modernization of energy systems, physical infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing is creating sustained demand for skilled workers — electricians, welders, energy technicians, construction managers, and industrial specialists — even as the broader labor market has slowed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that energy-related occupations will be among the fastest-growing through 2034, and critical trades face significant shortages as experienced workers retire. 

Geopolitical uncertainty and conflicts only accelerate these trends and the need to focus on energy security. At the same time, AI-driven disruption continues to displace entry-level knowledge roles, creating a strong and underserved candidate pool for durable trade pathways. Investments are expanding access to skilled trades training, but a critical gap remains between funding workforce programs and achieving lasting employment outcomes. 

In this context, GitLab Foundation, with a multiyear partnership with Families and Workers Fund, is pleased to announce a $4M open call for the Powering Economic Opportunity Fund — flexible grants of up to $500,000 supporting organizations that partner directly with employers, unions and industry to strengthen work-based learning, improve job quality and connect workers to durable, living-wage careers. Round 2 encourages innovative work-based learning models that connect training with employer demand, helping workers move more successfully from learning to long-term employment.

The fund will provide flexible grants of up to $500,000 to organizations building workforce pathways that connect low-wage workers to high-quality employment opportunities through employer partnerships, innovative work-based learning, employer-aligned training and workplace practices that improve long-term retention and advancement.

This round builds on learnings from the fund's first cohort, which showed that employer alignment, regional specificity and worker-centered supports are key drivers of long-term economic mobility. 

Those findings also revealed an important opportunity: While workforce investments often focus on training, durable outcomes depend on the employer partnerships and workplace practices that help workers complete programs, remain employed and continue advancing. Round 2 reflects that evolution by focusing on innovative work-based learning and employer-led solutions that can endure beyond philanthropic funding.

“Across the country, major investments in infrastructure, manufacturing and energy are creating real demand for skilled workers, but access to these opportunities remains uneven,” said Roger Perez, Senior Program Officer at GitLab Foundation. “This fund is focused on supporting initiatives that are connecting people to career pathways with clear opportunities for wage growth, stability and long-term economic mobility.” 

Round 2 of PEOF places greater emphasis on employer partnership as a driver of long-term workforce outcomes. The fund seeks initiatives that combine innovative work-based learning, employer-recognized credentials, apprenticeship models and strong employer engagement with strategies that improve retention and advancement. In addition to direct workforce training, the fund also supports interventions such as childcare, transportation and emergency financial assistance when they strengthen completion, job stability and long-term earnings.

Applications are open to U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits, fiscally sponsored entities and other eligible partnerships working to expand access to high-quality employment opportunities in growing sectors. Partnerships between workforce organizations, employers, unions, public agencies and training providers are strongly encouraged. The fund will prioritize initiatives with strong potential to increase lifetime earnings by strengthening the connections between training, employer partnership and long-term career success.

Concept notes are being accepted beginning on July 15, 2026. Submissions will be accepted through August 31, 2026. Selected organizations will be invited to submit full applications in the fall, with award announcements expected in early December. Learn more about eligibility and the fund’s timeline here.

The Families and Workers Fund is housed at AUM+ (Assets Under Movement), an independent 501(c)(3) charity.