Introduction

Most people would agree that job development and training is a worthy cause. However, you ultimately need financial assistance to carry out your plan. Funding sources are vital to the establishment of job training programs, which include resources for:

  • initially planning and organizing a training program;
  • developing and implementing a program; and
  • sustaining a program.

That’s why it is so important to know how to research and pursue a variety of funding sources at the federal, state, and local levels. When we talk about funding sources, two types of resources exist. Each is equally important. The first is financial assistance which includes grants and start up funding. The second includes resources such as facilities, services, and staff which may be donated or obtained through partnering with existing programs.

This section provides examples of funding sources that Brownfields Job Development and Training programs have used in the past. These funding sources are divided into four categories:

  • federal government;
  • national corporations, foundations and nonprofits;
  • state and local government; and
  • local businesses, foundations, nonprofits, and labor organizations.

Based on interviews with EPA job development coordinators, many programs find that the EPA’s Brownfields Job Development and Training grants have been instrumental in allowing them to start new programs. Funding from national corporations, foundations, and nonprofits tend to be secondary. For example, if you go to the Web site of a national foundation, it will often state that the foundation is able to fund only a very small percentage of the requests it receives. Hard dollars are critical, but don’t underestimate the importance of in-kind support to operate and maintain a job training program. Most Brownfields Job Development and Training programs receive state and local assistance through in-kind support. The coordinators of the job training programs stress the importance of tapping into resources and services already available in the community. Since the EPA Brownfields Job Development and Training grants do not fund life skills/job readiness training or job placement costs, most of the programs partner with local workforce development organizations or community colleges to provide these services. Community-based organizations, which are already working with disadvantaged people in the community, are usually involved with recruiting and screening students for the program. Private companies often provide in-kind support by serving on advisory committees, and by offering their technical expertise in recommending and/or conducting portions of the environmental training.