Pathways with Purpose FAQs

Q: With respect to eligible organizations and proposed approaches, how do you define “employer-led”?

A: “Employer-led” means that employers are substantively involved in all major project decisions and are direct participants in the work—not simply serving in an advisory capacity. The anchor applicant must demonstrate active employer/industry leadership, including identification of one or more employer champions who will play a meaningful role in the partnership and project efforts. If your organization convenes and represents employers in this capacity, we encourage you to review the eligibility criteria and reach out to pathways@uschamber.org with any further questions.

Q: Does the applicant need to be a 501(c)(3) or can a 501(c)(6) apply? Can you provide clarity on the phrasing of "will be responsible for confirming all funds are used solely for appropriate 501(c)(3) activities"?

A: It is not required that an applicant organization is a 501(c)(3). A 501(c)(6) is eligible to submit a proposal for this funding, so long as funds are used solely for appropriate 501(c)(3) activities. Recipient entities are prohibited from, among other things, engaging in political activity, lobbying activity, and advocacy related to specific legislative proposals with U.S. Chamber Foundation funding.

Q: Can a non-profit intermediary that has brought together employers in a specific sector (including a lead employer) be eligible as the lead applicant?

A: Yes. The RFP includes “an industry intermediary working on behalf of multiple employers” among the examples of eligible anchor organizations. The key requirement is that the applicant demonstrates active employer leadership and engagement, including identification of one or more employer champions, and a formal partnership with one or more state or local education agencies (SEAs and/or LEAs).

Q: Is an organization created by a chamber of commerce eligible?

A: Yes. The RFP lists “chambers of commerce” among the examples of eligible anchor organizations. An organization created by or affiliated with a chamber would be eligible provided it meets the requirements outlined in the RFP, including demonstrating employer leadership and a formal partnership with one or more SEAs and/or LEAs.

Q: Would a national, state, or regional industry-based association and/or its foundation be eligible as a lead applicant?  

A: Yes. The RFP lists “statewide or regional industry- or sector-based associations” as eligible applicants. National industry-based associations would also be eligible, so long as they can demonstrate employer leadership, a formal partnership with one or more state or local education agencies (SEAs and/or LEAs), and state-wide or regional impact on K-12 students in alignment with the requirements listed in this RFP.

Q: Is there a preference for regional/local chamber requests over requests from economic development organizations?

A: No. The RFP does not give preference to any particular type of eligible organization. Chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, industry associations, employer coalitions, and other employer-led entities are all equally eligible. The U.S. Chamber Foundation reserves the right to ensure diversity among the cohort in terms of geography, and industry sector focus.

Q: Can a workforce board apply?

A: The RFP is designed for employer-led organizations that represent multiple employers and partner with one or more state or local education agencies (SEAs and/or LEAs). A workforce board is not excluded, but the applicant must clearly demonstrate that it operates in an employer-led capacity, meaning employers are actively leading and driving the work, not simply participating on an advisory board. If you believe your organization meets that requirement, we encourage you to review the eligibility criteria carefully and reach out to pathways@uschamber.org with any further questions.

Q: Would a local workforce development board that is also a non-profit organization, be eligible to apply?

A: Workforce boards are not excluded from this opportunity, but the applicant must clearly demonstrate that it operates in an employer-led capacity—meaning employers are actively leading and driving the work, not simply participating on an advisory board. If you believe your organization meets that requirement and others outlined in the RFP, we encourage you to review the eligibility criteria carefully and reach out to pathways@uschamber.org with any further questions.

Q: Can a county office of education with multiple partners apply?

A: The RFP is designed for employer-led organizations that represent multiple employers and partner with state or local education agencies (SEAs and/or LEAs). SEAs and/or LEAs are not eligible to apply as the lead applicant, but a county office of education would be welcomed as part of the application and partnership.

Q: Can a community college serve as the lead if they are convening employers around an industry?

A: The anchor applicant must be an employer-led organization. A community college would not typically qualify as the lead applicant, but it would be a strong education partner within the consortium. The lead applicant should be an employer-facing organization that represents multiple employers and partners with state or local education agencies (SEAs and/or LEAs) to serve K-12 students.

Q: Does a labor management organization that represents both contractors and trades qualify as an employer-led organization?

A: The RFP lists several examples of eligible anchor organizations, including employer coalitions and “other employer-led entities.” A labor management organization could be eligible if it can demonstrate that it operates in an employer-led capacity and meets all other eligibility requirements, including a formal partnership with one or more state or local education agencies (SEAs and/or LEAs). We encourage you to review the eligibility criteria and reach out to pathways@uschamber.org with any further questions.

Q: Can the eligible applicant organization partner with just one LEA?

A: Yes. The RFP requires a formal partnership with one or more state or local education agencies (SEAs and/or LEAs). A single LEA partnership is eligible, though we do encourage applicants to think about regional or statewide scale and reach in their proposals. Whether partnering with one LEA or several, be sure to articulate how your initiative will achieve meaningful scale and impact.

Q: What are some examples of SEAs or LEAs?

A: SEAs are state education agencies, and LEAs are local education agencies. Examples include state departments of education, school districts, and regional education agencies such as those at the county level.

Q: Would partnership with a charter school network function as an LEA partnership?

A: Yes. Charter school networks qualify for this partnership requirement, so long as strong partnership and coordination can be demonstrated and applicants indicate how the network of charter schools will support your initiative’s goals for achieving meaningful statewide or regional scale and impact.

Q: Can organizations be listed as a partner on more than one application?

A: Eligible lead applicants should submit only one application for this opportunity. Partner organizations (e.g., employers, SEAs and LEAs, community partners, training and education institutions) can be listed in more than one lead applicant’s proposal as required or optional partners. However, we encourage states and regions to communicate and align application efforts, where appropriate, to signal alignment and shared commitment to impact and scale.

Q: Does the dedicated project manager already need to be in place upon applying, or could this be planned personnel included within the application?

A: No, the required project manager does not need to already be in place at the time of application. Applicants may include planned personnel in their proposal and budget staffing costs accordingly. However, the proposal should clearly demonstrate how the staffing requirement will be met upon award.

Q: Can we partner with multiple agencies to make up the 2–3 required staff members?

A: The RFP requires applicants to commit at least part-time support from two to three team members, including a dedicated project manager to own the work on behalf of the employer-led community partnership. We encourage required staff to be employees of the applicant/lead organization to ensure consistency, accountability, and redundancy in the event of a change in employment or re-assignment. The project manager/lead point of contact must either be an employee of the applicant organization or work on behalf of them (e.g., hired contractor/consultant). In cases where your efforts must rely on multiple organizations to fulfill this staffing requirement, please ensure that you have fully described in your staffing narrative your approach to ensuring consistency and coordination across staff, and your contingency plans in the event of a staffing change.

Q: Is the focus of this grant opportunity K–12 systems and students?

A: Yes. The target population for the career-connected learning focuses outlined in this RFP is K–12 learners.

Q: Can proposed efforts also be applied to young adults (i.e., 18- to 24-year-olds)?

A: The core focus of the initiative is on K–12 career pathway programming and work-based learning in partnership with state or local education agencies (SEAs and/or LEAs). Applicants should ensure that their proposals are grounded in that K–12 focus.

Q: Are there any guidelines or restrictions regarding industries or career pathways of focus for this opportunity?

A: There are no restrictions or preferences regarding industries of focus for your proposed efforts. We encourage applicants to align their approaches to those industries, occupations/jobs, and career pathways that are in-demand and lead to quality employment in their state or region, and to include references to this focus in Section 3 of the application.

Q: Is the intent to fund single-industry efforts, or is there interest in proposals that tackle workforce needs in multiple industries?

A: We are open to both approaches. We would suggest thinking about where and how you can have the most impact on students, employers, and your state or community.

Q: Is the grant opportunity intended to encourage solutions implemented by one specific consortium, or as a statewide/system-wide solution?

A: The RFP encourages applicants to demonstrate the capability to organize and lead efforts at a regional or statewide level. We encourage flexibility and responsiveness to state or regional needs. Proposals may focus on a single consortium or a broader statewide or region-wide approach. The key is demonstrating scale, reach, and the potential to impact a significant number of K-12 learners.

Q: Are there states or regions that are being prioritized?

A: No specific states or regions are being prioritized. However, the U.S. Chamber Foundation reserves the right to make award decisions that ensure diversity among the cohort in terms of geography and industry sector focus.

Q: Is there a preference for new or existing initiatives?

A: The RFP welcomes applications focused on both new and existing initiatives. Applicants may propose launching new efforts and innovations or improving and scaling existing ones. The RFP specifically asks applicants to discuss whether their proposed efforts are new or building off existing work.

Q: Should we view this more as a planning grant?

A: While we acknowledge one school year is not an extraordinary amount of time, we are confident that impact can be achieved. The activities executed as part of this grant may lead to longer-term, sustainable practices, which should be called out in the respective section of the application, but we do anticipate that cohort members will take action and demonstrate measurable benefits during the grant period.

Q: Are you looking mostly for more intensive/deeper program types (e.g., internships)? Could employer-led career exploration programming be competitive for this grant?

A: The RFP requires applicants to address both core focus areas: 1) aligning curriculum and credentials to labor market needs and 2) experiencing the world of work through work-based learning. The RFP references a range of WBL experiences including internships, pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, youth employment, project-based learning, and job shadowing. Career exploration programming could be part of a competitive proposal, provided it is connected to the required core focus areas, involves employer leadership, and demonstrates tangible outcomes for learners.

Q: For apprenticeships that are part of an applicant’s proposed approach, are they expected to be Registered Apprenticeships?

A: No, apprenticeships of all kinds are welcomed. Applicants have flexibility to propose the model that best fits their state or regional context and industry needs.

Q: Can funds be used for postsecondary programs if our CTE consortia include postsecondary institutions?

A: The core focus of the initiative is on K–12 career pathway programming and work-based learning in partnership with SEAs and/or LEAs. Applicants should ensure their proposals are grounded in that K–12 focus. However, if your efforts involve dual credit and/or credential opportunities—or other partnerships with postsecondary education, training, and credential-issuing bodies—that serve K-12 students, this would be an allowable use of funds.

Q: Can this grant be an opportunity to drive stronger implementation of Workforce Pell implementation?

A: The core focus of the initiative is on K–12 career pathway programming and work-based learning in partnership with one or more state or local education agencies (SEAs and/or LEAs). Applicants should ensure their proposals are grounded in that K–12 focus. However, applicants are welcome to make the case for alignment with Workforce Pell opportunities, especially as they may align with the required focus areas described in the RFP (e.g., alignment to industry priorities, industry-aligned credentialing, work-based learning).

Q: There are some prescribed outputs and outcomes in the RFP, but you also indicate that applicants can propose alternatives based on their specific proposal. How flexible is this? Will we be penalized in any way for suggesting alternative outputs and outcomes?

A: We want you to innovate; that's the core value of this initiative. You are welcome to suggest alternative outputs and measures that better align with your proposed activities, either in place of or in addition to those listed. You will not be penalized for proposing alternatives, as long as your measures are clearly tied to your proposed work and demonstrate how you will capture meaningful results. The U.S. Chamber Foundation also reserves the right to negotiate performance metrics upon award.

Q: How many applicants will be awarded grant funds?

A: Four to five communities will be selected.

Q: There is a range of potential award amounts listed. Why? Should we assume that we can propose a budget up to the higher amount but that it may be negotiated/reduced if we are successfully awarded this grant?

A: We anticipate making equal investments across each selected community and will award four to five grants. The range reflects that the final per-award amount will depend on the number of selections made. We encourage you to build a budget that is realistic, well-justified, and aligned with your action plan; don't undershoot, but make sure every dollar has a purpose.

Q: How many fiscal agents are allowable as part of the grant?

A: In cases where more than one organization partners to submit an application for this grant, applicants must identify a main applicant/lead organization that meets the eligibility requirements and identify only one organization who will serve as the fiscal agent within the proposal submission.

Q: There are two events/check-ins listed as “potentially in person.” Do we need to budget for those potential trips in our proposal, or will there be additional funding associated with that travel?

A: You do not need to budget for travel to U.S. Chamber Foundation-sponsored convenings. The Foundation will cover travel costs associated with those events. Your travel budget should reflect any travel needed to support your own proposed project activities and partnerships on the ground.

Q: What expenses are allowable/not allowable?

A: The U.S. Chamber Foundation promotes flexibility in applicants’ funding approaches, so long as your approach is aligned to the goals of your proposed activities and the requirements of this grant. Eligible uses of this funding include, but are not limited to:

• Staffing costs (in alignment with staffing requirements described in the “Eligibility and Requirements for Participation” section)
• Programmatic activity costs
• Vendor or subcontractor costs
• Travel costs
• Material costs

In addition, funds must be used solely for appropriate 501(c)(3) activities. Recipient entities are prohibited from, among other things, engaging in political activity, lobbying activity, and advocacy related to specific legislative proposals with U.S. Chamber Foundation funding.

Q: Could programmatic activities include stipends or wraparound supports for learners? Can grant dollars be used toward paying student wages (e.g., for an internship)?

A: If justified in your narrative as an important element of state or regional efforts to innovate and scale the aligning curriculum and credentials to labor market needs and experiencing the world of work (WBL) (the required elements), stipends or wraparound supports for learners will likely be considered an allowable programmatic expense. Applicants should be prepared to describe how this financial support will lead to measurable impact. In addition, wraparound supports may be subject to additional legal review upon award (i.e., as part of the contracting process) to ensure they are in fact allowable under charitable giving guidelines.

Q: Is there a maximum percentage that can be charged for administrative/indirect expenses?

A: There is not a maximum percentage that can be charged for administrative/indirect expenses. However, we expect competitive applications to focus on funding efforts that will contribute to launching and scaling efforts associated with aligning curriculum and credentials to labor market needs and experiencing the world of work (WBL) (the required elements) and will lead to lasting impact. The U.S. Chamber Foundation may pose additional questions about your administrative/indirect expenses and reserves the right to further negotiate upon award/selection.

Q: How many applications are you expecting?

A: We had more than 400 people register for the webinar, but we do not have an estimate of the number of applications we expect to receive.

Q: Will additional funding opportunities be available?

A: As of now, this is the only funding opportunity available. We are always exploring ways to expand and deepen this work, and the U.S. Chamber Foundation would be open to continuing investments or pursuing new opportunities with additional communities if the collaborative finds value in the outcomes. For now, we encourage interested organizations to apply to this round.

Q: For those who choose not to apply or are not selected as recipients of this grant, what learning opportunities will be available from this cohort?

A: The U.S. Chamber Foundation intends to share best practices, resources, and insights produced through this cohort-based initiative broadly, in furtherance of wide-scale adoption by other states, communities, and industry-led consortia. This may include webinars, publications, and other dissemination activities.

Q: Is there a way to help applicants connect with each other to continue building networks and advancing the work?

A: Currently, the U.S. Chamber Foundation plans to manage ongoing learning and networking opportunities for the selected applicants only, through the cohort-based peer learning approaches described in the RFP. However, the U.S. Chamber Foundation is exploring ways to expand and deepen this Pathways with Purpose work and impact on an ongoing basis and encourages applicants—whether successful in this grant opportunity or not—to engage in virtual and in-person convening opportunities available through its various initiatives. Visit https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/ to explore these opportunities.