Get Training Grants and Funding

Training funds and grants to pay for training may be available to your organization.

Organizations often have a need employee training but are faced with a limited training budget. Training dollars through grants or other funding to pay for training may be available to your organization. 

Government funding is often available to help small companies train employees and develop work skills. While some funds come as grants, much of it gets allocated to states or local work-force boards which decide what industries and areas to support. Obtaining training grants can sometimes be a complex process, but worthwhile pursuing.

The resources below can help you access federal, state and local training grants or other funds available for training. These resources can help you address training budget issues.

Key points to keep in mind when applying for training grants:

• Training grant opportunities are real and are offered through federal, state, and local government authorities you can trust.
• Before applying for a grant to train your employees, check eligibility requirements and carefully consider your ability to meet grant requirements.
• Increase your chances for success in getting a grant:
  • Follow application instructions to the letter
  • Prepare a thoughtful, thorough response.
• Remember grant-making agencies want you to succeed! Ask for whatever help you need to navigate the process.

Funds to pay for employee training are available from many sources.

When exploring grants or other funding to pay for training, start at the state or local level. The sources below can help you explore your options.

Federal, State and Local Training Grant and Funding Sources Available

U.S. Small Business Administration’s Loans and Grants Search Tool

This tool helps you identify what government financing programs may be available to help you start or expand your business, check out the “Access Financing” Wizard from BusinessUSA. https://www.sba.gov/loans-and-grants

National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB)

A member organization helping businesses make workforce investments work. http://www.nawb.org/

State Economic Development Agency

Locate your state’s economic development agency. https://www.sba.gov/content/economic-development-agencies

Grants.gov

Apply for grants federal grants. Using the Grants.gov system makes it faster, easier and more cost effective for grant applicants to electronically interact with federal grant-making agencies. http://www.grants.gov/

Other Resources:

The Foundation Center

Education and training for grant seekers. http://foundationcenter.org

Grant Writers Online

Grant Writers Online provides excellent free resources on grant writing, including what to include in your grant proposal, grant writing mistakes, and samples of grant proposals. http://www.grantwritersonline.com