The BlackRock Foundation, through its Future Builders initiative, is funding organizations developing solutions to close the skilled trades labor gap in the United States. The program is part of a broader $100 million effort to train 50,000 workers and improve access to stable, well-paying careers in the skilled trades.
The initiative is administered with support from Jobs for the Future, which is helping manage the RFP and review process on behalf of BlackRock Foundation.
Selected projects are expected to focus on scalable, high-impact workforce solutions that help workers enter and advance in skilled trades careers.
Key Funding Details
Grant size: $500,000 to $1,000,000 per award
Grant duration: 2 years
Number of awards: Approximately 10 to 15
Geography: United States and Puerto Rico
Focus area: Skilled trades workforce development and labor gap solutions
Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants are organizations proposing initiatives that:
Address shortages in skilled trades labor
Improve access to training and employment pathways
Support job quality, stability, and long-term career growth
Deliver scalable or innovative workforce development models
Coalitions and partnerships are allowed, but only one application per project or network is permitted.