Employment

In this area, we seek to support youth and adults who experience significant barriers to employment, including limited math and reading skills. This includes support for programs that prioritize the employment needs of individuals who are low-income, have a disability, are formally incarcerated, experience housing insecurity, in or aging out of foster care, and single parents. These needs are complex and not easily resolved by one agency alone.
We are specifically interested in services and activities that:
- Offer comprehensive assistance for adults and include interest and skill assessments, soft- and hard-skill development, employer and human service partnerships, job placement with wages of at least $13.00 an hour and at least six-month follow up.
- Align with career pipeline programs and local industry partnership strategies targeting technology, health care, financial services, advanced manufacturing and construction activities.
- Provide age-appropriate youth programs that include life and social skills training, career exploration or career planning with work-based learning such as employer visits, job shadowing, adult career mentoring, internships, summer youth employment, occupational skills training, pre-apprenticeships, industry recognized credentialing and employment in targeted industries.
- Seek to identify and implement best practice/innovative strategies that support single parents, people with justice system involvement and people in recovery.
Application Deadlines
Foundation-Directed Grants | Application Deadlines* |
---|---|
Spring grant cycle | Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 by 5 p.m. (for funding decision after May 9) |
Fall grant cycle | Tuesday, July 15, 2025 by 5 p.m. (for funding decisions after Oct. 29) |
*Dates above apply to most grant programs. If dates differ, they will be listed on the program page. Dates may be subject to change. The Foundation may adjust the timing of grants in consideration for funding.
Grant Guidelines
How to Apply for Grants

More Grantmaking Supporting Basic Needs
The Pittsburgh Foundation also offers the following funding opportunities to eligible applicants.