CALL FOR PROPOSALS: SKILL SET TRAINING GRANT

This August 2025, Wurwand Foundation is launching a new Call for Proposals. The Skill Set Training Grant aims to support nonprofit organizations that provide direct training and education in a variety of skill sets to young people in Los Angeles. 
As the demand for skilled labor continues to rise, skill set training has become a powerful pathway to financial independence, economic mobility, and long-term career stability. From health care, to skin therapy, aesthetics, and barbery, to construction, welding, automotive repair and other hands-on professions, skill set training offers individuals – particularly those from underrepresented or underserved communities – the opportunity to build meaningful careers and, in many cases, to launch their own businesses.
By investing in organizations that deliver high-quality, accessible training, we aim to empower individuals to learn how to do something, and gain the necessary skills to build successful futures.
The Skill Set Training Grant will be up to $75,000 for a one-year pilot to help us get to know the organizations and their work before potentially establishing longer-term, multi-year partnerships. To be considered for funding, organizations must first complete the Interest Form below to express their interest in applying for the grant. Late forms will not be accepted. Every Interest Form will be thoroughly reviewed. Organizations will then be invited to apply for the grant, at which time instructions and application form will be sent. Organizations MUST be invited to apply. 
Interest Forms that do not meet eligibility criteria will not be considered for invitations to apply for the grant.

GRANT TIMELINE 

Week of August 11: Interest Form opens 
Friday, September 12, 2025: Interest Form due 
Week of September 15, 2025: Organizations invited to submit full applications 
Friday, October 24, 2025: Final applications due
Week of October 27, 2025: Finalists selected and notified
Week of November 10, 2025: Site & Zoom visits conducted for finalists 
Early December, 2025: Grant awards communicated 

FAQS

How do organizations apply for funding?

Organizations MUST be invited to apply for funding. In order to be invited to apply, they must complete the Interest Form linked above. Interest Forms are due on Friday, September 12, 2025. Late submissions will not be considered.

Once an organization has been invited to apply for funding, they will be sent the instructions and application materials via email. 

What is the grant selection process?

Once organizations are invited to apply, information regarding the process will be made available.

What is the invitation-to-apply process?

Interest Forms are evaluated during a review process to ensure programs align with the grant focus. Decisions to invite or decline to invite organizations to apply are made at the sole discretion of the Wurwand Foundation and are final.

What will the amount of the grants be?

It depends on the size and scope of the work, but the total grant amount per organization should not exceed $75,000. Please include the amount of funding requested in the application. 

How long will grants be?

Up to one year for any new partnerships.

How many applicants do you expect to fund?

Between 1-4 organizations. 

How will the grant amount be determined?

The size of each grant will depend on the size of the organization’s overall budget, the project budget, and the amount of funds available. 

Who can I contact with questions?

Please reach out to hello@wurwandfoundation.org with any questions.