FOCUS AREAS

Criteria for strong proposals:

• Programs developing individuals with increased
  skills in high-demand fields

• Training and support that results in increased
  entrepreneurial skills and/or new businesses

• Seed capital bundled with support services
  to help grow small to mid-sized ventures,
  jobs created because of new businesses or
  growth, financial skill building

• Programs placing individuals in jobs with
  living wages

• Apprenticeship programs

• Job training through social enterprise

• Jobs created through social enterprises
  or for-profit companies

• Financial literacy training and adult education

• Workforce development

Focus Populations:

• Low-income entrepreneurs

• Individuals lacking credit needed to secure traditional loans

• Women

• People of color

• Justice-involved individuals

• Rural communities

• People with disabilities

Criteria for strong proposals:

• Wraparound services that support people,
  including emergency/temporary/permanent
  supportive housing, emergency financial
  assistance, food, childcare, transportation,
  work clothes, etc.

• Healthcare navigation, adult education, food
  assistance, rental assistance/housing to
  increase stability

• Programs must be directly connected to training
  and employment opportunities through
  partnerships or within the organization

Focus Populations:

• Individuals experiencing homelessness

• Low-income single parents

• Low-income individuals and families

• Low-income individuals and families
  from rural communities

• Justice-involved individuals

• People with disabilities