Back to Basic Needs

Employment

We seek to support youth and adults who experience significant barriers to employment.
See Past Grantees Since 2023
The Mon Valley Initiative works to improve the lives of people in the communities along the Monongahela River in Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland counties by helping to rebuild community infrastructure that was deeply damaged more than 30 years ago when the drivers of the region’s industrial economy moved away or closed. Workforce development through training and assistance in finding employment are among the services the organization provides.
The Mon Valley Initiative works to improve the lives of people in the communities along the Monongahela River in Allegheny, Washington and Westmoreland counties by helping to rebuild community infrastructure that was deeply damaged more than 30 years ago when the drivers of the region’s industrial economy moved away or closed. Workforce development through training and assistance in finding employment are among the services the organization provides.

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 GrantsApplication Deadlines*
Spring grant cycleMonday, Feb. 3, 2025 by 5 p.m.
(for funding decision after May 9)
Fall grant cycleTuesday, 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

See eligibility criteria, our funding priorities, grant types, duration and award amount ranges.

How to Apply for Grants

Learn how to apply for funding through the Foundation's online grant application portal.
Joshua Devine
Contact

Joshua Devine

Economic Mobility Officer

More Grantmaking Supporting Basic Needs

The Pittsburgh Foundation also offers the following funding opportunities to eligible applicants.

Food Access

We seek to support programs and services that assist low-income individuals and families to obtain enough food.

Child Care

We seek to ensure equitable access to quality child care.

Education

We strive to ensure access to high-quality in-class education as well as culturally-responsive, out-of-school time programs.

Mental Health

We aim to support the mental and physical health needs of residents by ensuring access to quality, affordable and culturally responsive services.

Physical Health

We aim to support the mental and physical health needs of residents by ensuring access to quality, affordable and culturally responsive services.

Housing

We seek to support or fill gaps in a county-wide eviction prevention system, and help support those living in transitional housing and/or facing unexpected loss of housing.