GLOBAL BUSINESS COALITION FOR EDUCATION logo

Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator

GLOBAL BUSINESS COALITION FOR EDUCATION

Foundation Annual Grants for Youth ProgramsWorkforce Development Grants
Apply Now

Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator

Overview: GBC-Education's Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator is a program designed to support U.S.-based youth-serving nonprofit organizations working to address the youth employment crisis and skills gap.

Geographic Scope: United States

Focus Areas:

  • Youth skills development for ages 16-30

  • Workforce readiness and employment pathways

  • Digital skills and AI training

  • Programs serving underserved and marginalized youth

  • Education-to-employment pipeline development

    • Eligibility:

  • Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization

  • Must be U.S.-based

  • Must serve youth aged 16-30

  • Must have current IRS tax-exempt status

  • Must demonstrate financial stability and appropriate safeguarding practices

    • Program Benefits:

  • One year of intensive training

  • Access to business community partnerships

  • Strategic planning and fundraising support

  • Skill-building in communications and organizational development

  • Networking with other youth-serving organizations

  • Access to funding and investment opportunities

    • Standards for Participation:
    Organizations should demonstrate alignment with ten standards for skills-friendly communities:
    1. Direct engagement with young people
    2. Focus on underserved youth
    3. Inclusive and equitable education systems
    4. Clear pathways from education to employment
    5. Curriculum adapted to future workforce skills (4IR skills)
    6. Employer engagement in opportunity pipelines
    7. Meaningful and equitable employment
    8. Youth-focused funding partnerships
    9. Supportive ecosystem for youth
    10. Dedicated platform for opportunity dissemination

    Contact: accelerator@gbc-education.org

    Background: Based on GBC-Education's State of US Cities and Youth Skills Report, which identifies systemic needs and opportunities in youth skills development across U.S. cities.

    How to Apply

    Application Process

    Application Format: Online application form

    Key Application Steps:
    1. Complete contact information for primary point of contact
    2. Provide organization details (name, address, mission, founding year, activities overview)
    3. Submit organization's 501(c)(3) tax-exempt form
    4. Upload latest annual report (if available)
    5. Provide website and social media profiles (Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok)
    6. Provide current CEO/President name and EIN/Tax ID

    Required Information - Project Details:

  • Project description (how organization helps young people gain skills; 350 words max)

  • Number of young people impacted annually

  • Digital skills and AI initiatives (350 words max)

  • Current use of AI tools in programs (350 words max)

  • Stakeholder collaboration efforts (350 words max)

    • Required Information - Impact & Metrics:

  • Key performance metrics and impact measurement (350 words max)

  • Growth plans for next five years (350 words max)

  • How accelerator participation will help achieve impact goals (350 words max)

    • Compliance & Safeguarding Questions:

  • Annual accounts published by IRS (Form 990 or 990-EZ)

  • Independent audit of annual accounts

  • Income and expenditures in balance

  • Reasonable balance of project costs vs. admin costs (15% industry standard)

  • Diversified funding base

  • Up-to-date child abuse/endangerment policies

  • Appropriate background checks for staff/volunteers working with youth

  • Appropriate safety measures for youth in care

  • Disclosure of any legal proceedings or incidents

    • Additional Information:

  • Source of application awareness (email, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Google Search, Conference, Other)

  • Optional comments for project team and judges

    • Form Features:

  • Save progress option with email and password

  • Resume later functionality

  • Review & Submit verification step

  • Confirmation required before final submission

    • Eligibility Check: Shortlisted organizations will be contacted for an eligibility check interview with the GBC-Education team.

    Apply with Grantable Learn more

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    youth-programsworkforce-development

    Categories

    Browse similar grants by category

    Grants for Youth ProgramsWorkforce Development Grants

    Related Grants

    Similar grants from this funder and related organizations

    Foundation

    Youth Service Grants

    Amount

    Varies

    Deadline

    Rolling / Open

    Annual
    Foundation

    Campus Grants

    Amount

    Varies

    Deadline

    Rolling / Open

    Annual
    Foundation

    K-12 School Grants

    Amount

    Varies

    Deadline

    Rolling / Open

    Annual
    Foundation

    CIRT National Design and Construction Competition

    Amount

    Varies

    Deadline

    Rolling / Open

    Annual
    Foundation

    2026 Capacity Building Grants

    Amount

    Up to $10,000

    Deadline

    November 14, 2026

    Annual
    Foundation

    Youth Scholarship

    Amount

    Full scholarship

    Deadline

    Rolling / Open

    Ready to apply for Youth Skills and Employment Accelerator?

    Grantable helps you assess fit, draft narratives, and track deadlines — so you can submit stronger applications, faster.

    Apply with Grantable Learn more