Workforce Opportunity Grant

The Rapides Foundation believes that lower and middle household income levels must rise for the standard of living to increase for all income levels. Healthy economies with low unemployment rates and higher wage jobs provide people with the means to purchase medical insurance, make better healthcare choices and live healthier lifestyles. The Workforce Opportunity Grant will support collaborations between industry and postsecondary institutions to offer training for high-wage occupations for which there is demonstrated unmet employer demand. The goal of the funding opportunity is to increase skills and knowledge of potential employees or existing employees that will require higher wages and to increase the production capacity of business or industry partners.

Note: Projects that are eligible for the Louisiana Workforce Commission's Incumbent Worker Training Program (IWTP) are not eligible for this funding opportunity.

The Workforce Opportunity Grant provides up to $75,000 for up to a twelve-month period. A 10% cash funding match will be required by the employer(s) for the total cost of the training. (Note: While in-kind matches are welcomed, a 10% cash match will be required from participating employers.) 

This funding opportunity is limited and offered on a competitive basis; therefore, it is possible not all applicants will receive funding. We reserve the right to award less than the amount requested.

Eligible grant recipients include accredited, nonprofit, postsecondary institutions. Trainings must benefit businesses and employees located within The Rapides Foundation's nine-parish service area (Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon and Winn parishes).

Applicants should thoroughly review the Request for Proposals and other key documents included in the Key Materials section (located in the right column) to see full details of the grant opportunity, application process and proposal requirements.

Full Proposals should be submitted using The Rapides Foundation's online application process only. To see details of the Full Proposal requirements, refer to the Request for Proposals. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact The Rapides Foundation for guidance before submitting their proposal package. Contact information is located in the right column.

This Request for Proposals will be offered on an ongoing basis. Applicants should become familiar with the dates associated with the cycle for which they are seeking funding. Proposals that are submitted after the due date will be considered during the next cycle. Applicants whose proposals are not funded may submit a revised application for consideration in a subsequent cycle. In such cases, repeat applications are advised to seek a consultation with program staff prior to submitting another proposal.