Powering Climate & Infrastructure Careers Challenge
REBUILDING OUR PLANET WITH UPLIFTING CAREERS
Application Deadline: January 19, 2024
From transportation and water management to broadband, solar, and electric vehicles, transformation is underway in the booming infrastructure and clean energy industries. Driven by $2+ trillion from public investments like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, along with hundreds of billions more in private sector investment, we’re accelerating toward a 21st-century economy expected to create 15 million jobs over the next decade. This shift presents a once-in-a-generation chance for economic opportunity and good job creation – especially for the people who have been most locked out of our country’s prosperity.
The Powering Climate & Infrastructure Careers Challenge, an initiative of the Families and Workers Fund, is designed to support the state and local agencies, education and training providers, communities, small businesses, and workers at the forefront of this effort. From an open application, the Challenge will deploy flexible, gap-filling philanthropic funding and technical assistance to scale inclusive workforce development, support effective planning and implementation, and deliver uplifting careers.
Dec. 12, 2023
due Jan. 19, 2024
Overview (PDF)
Challenge Opportunity
Grants of $150,000 to $1.5 million
over 1-3 years.
Selected awardees will receive $150,000 to $1.5 million in direct funding or technical assistance over 1 to 3 years. This funding is designed to be flexible, and may be used in any way that directly advances the mission of your project, from staffing to engaging vendors to support the implementation of your work or unlocking matching funds.
awarded in two tracks:
Training & Career Pathways
Scaling catalytic models to train, place, support, and retain a diverse workforce that meets the growing labor demand in the clean energy, infrastructure, and related industries and spurs uplifting careers
Designed for: Higher ed / community colleges, workforce agencies, nonprofit organizations, employer partnerships, community-based organizations, and other training providers in any U.S. state or Native land
Government Planning
& Implementation
Supporting state, Native, and local agencies and their partners with workforce data analysis and planning, procurement, and job quality efforts to ensure effective, impactful delivery of federal funds
Designed for: Government agencies and/or their nonprofit and community partners in Native lands or the states of AZ, CA, FL, GA, IL, MI, NV, NM, NY, NC, OH, PA, TX, WI
Eligibility
- A 501(c)(3)-designated nonprofit or fiscally sponsored entity; public agency or Native government; or public-private partnership (e.g., workforce development boards) based in the United States.
- Using, applying for, or otherwise leveraging climate, infrastructure, or other government funding.
- Committed to advancing career opportunities and improving economic mobility, especially for underinvested communities.
We encourage collaborative applications, including partnerships among community-based nonprofits, labor unions, community colleges, other training providers, state/local/Native government agencies, public utilities, industry associations, and employers.

PARTNERS & ADVISORS
Powering Climate & Infrastructure Careers for All is supported and steered by an esteemed group of leaders in philanthropy, business, government, labor, policy, and workforce development. Their collective wisdom and guidance have shaped an initiative that will deliver uplifting careers across diverse sectors and communities nationwide.
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