Workforce Development

Approximate Percentage of Foundation's Work: 15%

Goals for Workforce Development

The Weinberg Foundation is committed to helping people to help themselves. One very important methodology is to help the unemployed obtain and keep employment, preferably on a career track. The Foundation supports economically disadvantaged persons entry into, and long-term attachment to, the workforce and the mainstream economy by providing the "life-tools" they need to lift themselves from poverty and advance themselves into solid self-support.

Special consideration will be given to programs that provide the following:

• Job-readiness, training for specific types of jobs, job-placement, and job-retention (including ex-offender transition);
• Adult literacy and financial literacy (e.g., programs that assist the working poor to become homeowners);
• Adult entrepreneurship training (e.g., programs that assist the working poor to start a small business);
• Individual Development Account programs; and
• Free loan programs.

All other categories of grantmaking under the general theme of "building self-sufficiency" ultimately relate to and rely on the concept of workforce development.

The Foundation approved many grants nationally and globally during the past year to programs that offer soft and hard-skill training, job coaching, job placement, and career advancement opportunities in various fields so participants are able to succeed with motivation and hard work. The Foundation is also supporting programs that increase the job training and employment of ex-offenders.