About the Grant Opportunity
Many young people in the United States today face challenges to financial stability that prior generations did not. A crucial condition for investing in oneself, gaining economic mobility and actively building wealth is the opportunity to earn steady, livable wages. MIT’s Living Wage Calculator shows that a living wage in 2024 for a single adult, no children, working full time in San Diego County is $29.52[1]. The cost of living in San Diego makes attracting skilled talent from other places in the country difficult, and more likely that our youth will leave home.
The local employment projections over the next ten years for San Diego shows a 19% growth in construction, healthcare and social assistance, and a 14% increase in trades[2]. There are and will be thousands of jobs that provide a livable wage and do not require an advanced degree. Ensuring youth have agency in their career path and options that are accessible is essential to a strong, diverse workforce.
We know that San Diego has increased the number of skilled workers by 25% each year since 2016[3] but the growth rate is not enough for the labor demand and access to secondary education, training, paid internships and/or apprenticeships is not equitable. Students of color represent 70% of the K‑12 population[4], yet this diversity is not reflected in all workforce industries in demand.
The foundation’s 2023 strategic plan focuses on workforce development as a priority within all core areas of the foundation’s granting pillars: Health and Medical Research, Arts, and Youth Success.
The long-term goals of the foundation for Youth Success are that:
- Youth furthest from opportunity experience robust career progression
- The San Diego workforce is resilient, skilled and qualified
This initiative supports career paths that help young adults earn steady, livable wages in San Diego. It focuses on industries that align with our funding priorities, labor demand, and our goal of ensuring young people can live and thrive in San Diego County.
The goals of this initiative are that San Diego youth have:
- Increased access to high-quality internship/apprenticeship programs that provide education/training, supportive services, and pathways to productive careers with steady, living wages.
- Increased earning potential and career mobility while pursuing education and/or careers
To achieve the above goals for youth in San Diego, the workforce ecosystem will need:
- Capacity for delivery of career pathway programs such as, the ability to expand program and/or internship hours, offer additional seat availability, and reduce barriers to program completion such as financial, transportation, childcare and mental health.
- Increased coordination and collaboration across sectors to reduce the disconnect between learning environments, employers and the needs of young people going into and in the workforce.
Our efforts will focus on two paths to livable wages:
- Access to paid internships/apprenticeships with mentorship for underrepresented communities within the workforce
- Opportunities for increased earning potential for young adults already in the workforce through additional education, certifications, leadership/professional development and trade courses etc.
Guidelines
- Funding Length: 2‑year funding
- Potential Grant Amount: Grants will be up to $450,000 over 2 years
- Total Funds for the Initiative: $6M in funding
- Number of Awards: we anticipate awarding 13 – 15 grants.
- Industries with Priority Consideration:
- Healthcare — registered nurses, lab technicians, phlebotomy, etc.
- Creative workforce — design, media, software development, stagecraft, etc.
- Environmental — blue & clean tech, natural resource management/monitoring, regenerative agriculture, etc.
- Trades/Career Technical Education — such as electricians, mechanics, information technology, etc.
- The Program Should Serve: Young adults ages 18 – 26
- Priority Population:
- Overburdened Youth: Young adults, who experience excessive physical, emotional, or psychological pressure beyond what is considered normal or healthy for their age.
- Opportunity Youth: Young adults who are not in school or working, or are underemployed
- Priority Population:
Preference for programs that:
- Include partnerships across educational/training institutions, supportive services and employers
- Programs that foster growth in the young workforce by embracing and valuing diversity
Eligibility
- Lead organization must be located in and serving San Diego County
- 501(c)(3), fiscally sponsored, or a tribal entity
- If your organization is a current workforce grantee, there must be less than 6 months left on current award
What We Will Fund
- Programs that provide quality job training, credentials, and certifications through partnerships with educational institutions, workforce development boards, and supportive services organizations
- Programs that provide access to extended and meaningful internships/apprenticeships in specific industries that lead to living wages for opportunity and overburdened youth.
- Programs that reduce barriers, such as financial ability, transportation, childcare, family support etc., to access and complete, education/certifications/credentials or internships/apprenticeships.
- Programs that include strong career guidance and support such as personal development, networking events, leadership development, mental wellbeing, etc.
What We Will Not Fund
- Planning grants
- Career exposure programs
- Workforce programs for youth under the age of 18
- Internships and/or apprenticeships that do not pay the participating youth
- Career camps
Criteria
For Internships and Apprenticeships
- Lead organization should have a proven track record in workforce development
- Organizations should have the capacity to evaluate the effectiveness of the programs and measure the impact on:
- Participants’ wages
- Job placement rates
- Increased earning potential
- Overall economic well-being
- Apprenticeships: must be 32 – 40 hrs/week with a certification/credential upon completion
- Internships: must be a minimum 4 – 6 months with strong potential for for long-term placement following completion
- Applicants should be able to demonstrate strong relationships with employer/industry partners
- Program offers living wages
- Program incorporates mentorships and career guidance
For Increased Earning Potential
- Lead organization should have a proven track record in workforce development
- Organizations should have the capacity to evaluate the effectiveness of the programs and measure the impact on:
- Participants’ wages
- Job placement rates
- Increased earning potential
- Overall economic well-being
- Program offers current youth in the workforce opportunities to gain certifications/credentials, leadership/trade courses, or other relevant experience to increase career mobility/earning.
- Program addresses barriers such as childcare, family care, ability to pay, hours, outside commitments, transportation challenges, etc.
- Program incorporates mentorships and career guidance
Timeline
| Timeline | Activity |
|---|---|
February 5 |
Grant Portal opens and application available |
February 6 - March 27 |
Office Hours available |
March 28 |
Grant portal closes and application deadline |
May 5 - May 20 |
For Applications moving forward, period to submit additional information and have conversations with Prebys team |
June 25 |
Notification of Awards |
June -July |
Contracting and payment |
References and Resources
[1] https://livingwage.mit.edu/counties/06073
[2] https://labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/data/employment-projections.html
[3] https://www.sandiegobusiness.org/doing-business-here/finding-talent/
[4] https://research-edc.shinyapps.io/DashboardOJ_SN10/
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the timeline for this request?
February 5: Grant Portal opens and application available
February 6 — March 27: Office Hours available
March 28: Grant portal closes and application deadline (5pm PST)
April 28 — May: Notification of application status
May 5‑May 20: For Applications moving forward, period to submit additional information and have conversations with Prebys team
June 25: Notification of Awards
June — July: Contracting and payment
How long is the grant period?
Funding will be for a 24-month period.
What is the limit of funding one project can request?
Grants will not exceed a total of $450,000 for the two-year period.
What is the target population?
Overburdened Youth:
Young adults who experience excessive physical, emotional, or psychological pressure beyond what is considered “normal” or healthy for their age. These pressures often arise from various sources, balancing academic demands, holding one or more jobs, caregiving, and other familial responsibilities.
Opportunity Youth:
Young adults who are neither in school nor working or are underemployed (earning below the living wage level).
Why is the foundation focusing on Youth Workforce?
The foundation’s 2023 strategic plan focuses on workforce development as a priority within all core areas of the foundation’s granting pillars: Health and Medical Research, Arts, and Youth Success.
The long-term goals of the foundation for Youth Success are that:
- Youth furthest from opportunity, experience robust career progression
- The San Diego workforce is resilient, skilled and qualified
What sources inspired this grant opportunity?
Research, case studies, and projects that have provided background and inspiration for this initiative include:
Are partnerships required?
Partnerships are not required; however, the foundation strongly encourages cross-sector collaboration, recognizing that a robust workforce involves many contributors and stakeholders.
How will grants be selected/evaluated?
Applications will be evaluated by assessing alignment with the initiative goals, criteria, and consideration given to:
- Populations served
- Geographic location
- Industry of focus
- Project design
- Strength in partnerships
How can an organization receive feedback from the foundation about their project application?
During the open application process, Program Officers will offer office hours. Click here to schedule
Does the foundation provide feedback if my application is not funded?
Yes. Foundation staff contact every applicant during the application process by phone and email. Whether your request is funded or not, we are happy to provide feedback during our initial phone call or by scheduling a later time to speak.
We are a current grantee. Can we apply for this opportunity?
If you are a current workforce grantee, you must have less than 6 months left on the current grant in order to qualify for this funding opportunity. If you have been funded through a different initiative and have more than 6 months left on your current contract, you cannot be the lead organization but may be a partner in an application.
Can unions or worker-focused groups apply for this funding?
A worker-focused entity such as a worker organization, labor-management partnership, or labor union representing workers, or an organization representing target populations of students and workers in relevant industry sectors may apply if the organization is applying under a 501c3.
Can one organization be a partner in more than one grant application?
Yes, an organization can be a partner in more than one application if that organization has the capacity to support multiple projects.
Once I start an application, how do I return to my in-progress work?
Access your Grant Portal here.
Log in to your account using the credentials created during registration. Navigate to your saved application to make changes or complete it.
What if I serve youth under the age of 18. Am I eligible to apply?
No, this funding is specific for youth aged 18 and older.
What if my project is new. Am I eligible to apply?
New projects will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis with the understanding that if it is at the conceptual stage, and no planning or partnerships have been committed, it will likely not move forward.
What if I am a Career Technical Education (CTE) High School, am I eligible to apply?
CTE high schools may not apply, unless in collaboration with other industry partners such as employers, CBOs, or secondary education institutions, AND through this project, the CTE High School is serving students aged 18+ only.
Can I apply if the industry of focus is not on the priority consideration list?
Yes, the foundation is open to additional industries not on the priority list.
What will the application include?
- Organizational details (including fiscal sponsor, if applicable)
- Narrative questions that address the initiative’s goals, intended outcomes, and criteria
- Evaluation and assessment plan (current and/or planned)
- Demographics (geographic, age, income, etc.)
- Attachments:
- 990
- Operating Budget
- Project Budget
What are the reporting requirements for grant recipients?
Our reporting processes closely align with our learning plan, aiming to inform, bring new ideas and feedback, and provide valuable insights into community work and impact. In general, the only required reporting for grantees is a final report at the conclusion of the grant period.
What is the allowable overhead/indirect cost?
Prebys is committed to paying the true costs associated with your project or program. In addition to direct costs related to your project, please include indirect/overhead costs (up to 20% of project budget) associated with this request.
Do you have a project budget template?
Yes – click here to download Prebys Foundation’s Budget Template. Using this template is optional. If you do not use it, please ensure you include the following in your budget attachment:
- Both expenses and income (committed/pending/prospective)
- Internal organizational measures of impact analysis
- A line item for overhead/indirect cost
I have a question about the initiative, my eligibility, or the application questions. Who do I contact?
Please contact Veronica Blea, Program Officer, at vblea@prebysfdn.org or 619−860−2100 x113.
You can also schedule Office Hours through Calendly, click here to schedule Office Hours.
I have a question about the Grant Portal. Who do I contact?
Please contact Victor Alcala, Grants Administrator, at valcala@prebysfdn.org or 619−860−2100 x109.
