To address the critical challenges facing the Pittsburgh region, the Foundation seeks bold, creative, collaborative, and innovative proposals for initiatives that aim to strengthen the wide range of opportunities for adult residents in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties to succeed in the new economy.
Donor Name: Richard King Mellon Foundation
County: Westmoreland County (PA) and Allegheny County (PA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 09/13/2023
Size of the Grant: $200,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 18 months
Details:
Proposals submitted for this Request for Proposals fit within the Economic Development program’s Employment Opportunities investment area, which focuses on fostering adults’ access to opportunities for employment in the new economy, thereby allowing them to gain income and wealth and forge economic independence. Proposals should focus on propelling individuals’ movement toward economic independence for those who are transitioning back to employment in new economy jobs or who engage in independent, gig work.
Ideas and approaches could be products, services, or technologies that, for example:
- Support the re-entry of women or vulnerable populations who have left the labor force or who are underemployed into jobs available in the new economy;
- Match disconnected, underemployed, independent, and gig economy workers to flexible education, training, upskilling, and ultimately employment opportunities in new economy jobs that best fit their life goals and needs;
- Help individuals to find and retain meaningful and fulfilling careers in the gig economy (rather than in piecemeal jobs); or
- Relieve stressors of gig economy workers by supporting connections to the social safety net, improving financial literacy, lessening social isolation, or cultivating resilience in the face of constant change and uncertainty.
Types of Support
Applications should fit under one of the following types of support:
- Planning and Innovation grants focus on experimentation and the development of new ideas. Recipients might describe activities such as piloting services or completing a feasibility study. Any evaluation activities should focus on understanding successes, challenges, and future possibilities resulting from the initial project.
- Implementation grants are for more developed concepts and services that are currently being conducted and need further infusion of funds to support reaching populations more deeply or with further intentionality. Recipients of this funding often have demonstrated past successes and have capacity to engage in iteration and evaluation.
- Scalability grants are focused on projects and ideas that have been tested within one population group or in one geographic area with promising success; they need an infusion of funds to expand the reach of the program to other population groups or geographic areas. This funding supports extending the reach of a promising model or project.
Funding Information
- The Foundation expects to fund projects in the range of $200,000 to $500,000, depending on the complexity of the proposed project, the number of collaborators, and the type of grant (Planning and Innovation, Implementation, or Scalability).
- The funded activities must be conducted within 6-18 months.
Uses of funds
Grant funds awarded through this RFP may be used for a variety of expenses such as program and service delivery, administrative expenses, consultant fees, or evaluation. A limited amount of capital expenditures, such as materials or equipment purchases, that are essential to accomplish the outcomes of the proposal may be included.
If an application is truly exceptional, the Foundation may consider providing funding above this range. Successful grants may be invited to apply for follow-on funding or additional capacity-building funding opportunities at the conclusion of the grant.
Eligibility Criteria
The Foundation welcomes proposals from nonprofit organizations and public sector agencies. The Foundation will give priority consideration to creative collaborations, efforts that engage the public and private sectors, or that serve populations that are currently experiencing poverty or that have historically encountered systemic barriers to employment and prosperity.
The Foundation does not fund
The Foundation will not fund the following items through this RFP:
- Endowments or capital campaigns
- Solely capital expenses, construction projects, or purchases of large equipment
- Advocacy, political causes, or political events
- Existing deficits or retroactive funding
- Event sponsorships
- Match requests for Build Back Better grantees or sub-grantees
For more information, visit RKMF.
