We expand access to opportunity by helping individuals prepare for meaningful careers, connect to life-changing services, and navigate a path to lasting employment while stewarding public and philanthropic funds to strengthen the regional workforce.
Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership stands out for channeling large-scale public workforce funding into a tightly defined local system: its recent grants include an $18,427,130 award to EdAssist in Chicago for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activities. The partnership’s portfolio centers on job training, employment services, and workforce program administration, with repeated support for American Job Centers, delegate agencies, and sector-based initiatives that move jobseekers into work. Several of its highest awards go to organizations that operate core workforce infrastructure, including Employment & Employer Services, National Able Network, and Business and Career Services. The foundation’s grantmaking also shows a strong implementation role. Rather than funding individuals, it supports organizations that deliver services to jobseekers, youth, dislocated workers, and low-income workers. Recent program areas include youth employment, reentry navigation, contact tracing, public health workforce development, and clean energy workforce work under CEJA. Its active programs show a recurring preference for competitive RFPs and delegate-agency models that fund service delivery across Chicago and Cook County.
One major thread is system operations for the workforce network. Through its One-Stop Operator RFP, Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership sought a neutral operator to coordinate WIOA partner services across American Job Centers in LWIA 7, linking services across the City of Chicago and Cook County. Youth workforce services are another recurring area. The WIOA Youth Delegate Agencies RFP funded workforce development for young adults ages 16–24 in Chicago and Cook County, with a focus on career readiness and training. The partnership also funds transitional employment and reentry support. Its Reentry Navigation Initiative — The Road Home is an 18-month demonstration project for people returning from incarceration, combining navigation services with paid work experiences and supportive services such as housing, legal, and mental health support. Public health workforce efforts appear in the Chicago Community Health Response Corps and Chicago COVID-19 Contact Tracing Corps RFPs, which used community-based employers to build local hiring capacity during COVID-19 response work.
$65.8M
$29.5M
$82.3M
$81.3M
Most grants fall between $130K and $686K, with a median of $280K.
25th Percentile
$130K
Median
$280K
75th Percentile
$686K
About 96% of grants go to recipients in IL.
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Typical grant size is substantial: the 25th percentile is $130,209, the median is $279,599, and the 75th percentile is $685,527. The grant list also shows a clear mix of large system grants and smaller operating awards across Chicago workforce providers. Funding is not one-off in structure; several recipients appear in more than one year, often with renewed awards at similar program lines. Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership is a regular funder rather than a DAF or program-related-investment vehicle, and it does not fund individuals.
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local and concentrated in Illinois, with 96% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. The clearest center of activity is Chicago, where many awards go to providers such as EdAssist, Employment & Employer Services, National Able Network, Greater West Town Project, and Safer Foundation. Cook County also appears repeatedly in active RFPs and program geography, including American Job Center operations and youth services. Outside Illinois, a few grants in the recent list go to organizations in Louisville, Kentucky; Fulton, Maryland; and Cambridge, Massachusetts.
It funds organizations that deliver workforce services, including delegate agencies, American Job Center operators, and community-based employers. Recent awards support job training and placement, youth workforce services, reentry navigation, public health workforce work, and sector-based initiatives in Chicago and Cook County.
Typical awards are mid-sized to large: the 25th percentile is $130,209, the median is $279,599, and the 75th percentile is $685,527. Recent grants also range much higher for systemwide workforce administration and service delivery.
Its giving is local, and 96% of grants go to recipients in Illinois. The recent grant list is entirely U.S.-based, with some recipients outside Illinois in Louisville, Kentucky; Fulton, Maryland; and Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The foundation supports workforce development, job training and placement, youth employment services, reentry and justice-involved employment, public health workforce programs, one-stop and American Job Center operations, and clean energy workforce work under CEJA.
The pattern suggests recurring support for operating partners and workforce vendors. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including EdAssist, Employment & Employer Services, National Able Network, Business and Career Services, and Safer Foundation, often with awards in both 2023 and 2024.
2024
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2024.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EdAssist | Chicago, IL | $18,427,130 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Employment & Employer Services | Chicago, IL | $4,971,783 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| National Able Network | Chicago, IL | $3,506,176 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Serco Inc - Cicero | North Riverside, IL | $2,548,861 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Business and Career Services | Arlington Heights, IL | $2,121,586 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Rescare Workforce Center | LOUISVILLE, KY | $2,071,724 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| KRA Corporation | FULTON, MD | $2,002,563 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Calumet Area Industrial Commission | CHICAGO, IL | $1,842,553 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Greater West Town Project | CHICAGO, IL | $1,524,763 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Phalanx | CHICAGO, IL | $1,255,826 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Central State Ser | CHICAGO, IL | $1,042,288 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Safer Foundation | CHICAGO, IL | $1,023,272 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Pyramid Partnership | CHICAGO, IL | $960,196 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| KLEO Community Family Center | Chicago, IL | $902,221 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Alternative School Network | Chicago, IL | $899,187 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| YWCA Metropolitan Chicago | Chicago, IL | $819,694 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Chicago City wide Literacy | Chicago, IL | $683,339 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| SGA | CHICAGO, IL | $681,861 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Habilitative Systems Inc | Chicago, IL | $679,436 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Lawrence Hall | Chicago, IL | $670,094 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| The Resurrection Project | Chicago, IL | $666,286 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Chicago Federation of Labor Workers | CHICAGO, IL | $637,784 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| UIC | Chicago, IL | $610,300 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Metropolitan Family Services | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $603,181 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Moraine Valley Community College | Palos Hills, IL | $536,392 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Jane Addams Resource Center | CHICAGO, IL | $531,021 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Center for New Horizons | Chicago, IL | $503,188 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Marriott Foundation | Chicago, IL | $469,555 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Puerto Rican Cultural Center | Chicago, IL | $467,812 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Praire State College | CHICAGO, IL | $459,531 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| OAI | Chicago, IL | $432,716 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| PLCCA | CHICAGO, IL | $409,247 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Catholic Bishop of Chicago - St Sabina | CHICAGO, IL | $408,579 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Dynamic Educational Systems Inc | Chicago, IL | $390,129 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| South Suburban College | South Holland, IL | $382,541 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| LaGrange Area Department of Special Education | LaGrange, IL | $381,048 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Youth Connection Charter School | CHICAGO, IL | $328,967 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Boys and Girls Club of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $327,061 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Elgin Community College | Elgin, IL | $323,312 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Maine Township 207 | Park Ridge, IL | $321,866 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Youth Job Center of Evanston | EVANSTON, IL | $299,599 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| XD Tech | Berwyn, IL | $292,674 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Manufacturing Rennaissance | Chicago, IL | $290,840 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Polish American Association | CHICAGO, IL | $285,862 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Symbol Training Institute | Skokie, IL | $279,599 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Youth Guidance | CHICAGO, IL | $274,706 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| SUHI | Chicago, IL | $260,167 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Brothers Health Collective | Chicago, IL | $259,394 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Asian Human Services - Youth Program | Chicago, IL | $258,005 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
| Breakthrough | Chicago, IL | $256,032 | 2024 | Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies |
EdAssist
$18,427,130Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Employment & Employer Services
$4,971,783Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
National Able Network
$3,506,176Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Serco Inc - Cicero
$2,548,861Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Business and Career Services
$2,121,586Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Rescare Workforce Center
$2,071,724Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
KRA Corporation
$2,002,563Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Calumet Area Industrial Commission
$1,842,553Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Greater West Town Project
$1,524,763Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Phalanx
$1,255,826Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Central State Ser
$1,042,288Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Safer Foundation
$1,023,272Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Pyramid Partnership
$960,196Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
KLEO Community Family Center
$902,221Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Alternative School Network
$899,187Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
$819,694Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Chicago City wide Literacy
$683,339Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
SGA
$681,861Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Habilitative Systems Inc
$679,436Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Lawrence Hall
$670,094Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
The Resurrection Project
$666,286Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Chicago Federation of Labor Workers
$637,784Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
UIC
$610,300Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Metropolitan Family Services
$603,181Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Moraine Valley Community College
$536,392Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Jane Addams Resource Center
$531,021Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Center for New Horizons
$503,188Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Marriott Foundation
$469,555Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Puerto Rican Cultural Center
$467,812Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Praire State College
$459,531Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
OAI
$432,716Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
PLCCA
$409,247Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Catholic Bishop of Chicago - St Sabina
$408,579Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Dynamic Educational Systems Inc
$390,129Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
South Suburban College
$382,541Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
LaGrange Area Department of Special Education
$381,048Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Youth Connection Charter School
$328,967Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Boys and Girls Club of Chicago
$327,061Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Elgin Community College
$323,312Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Maine Township 207
$321,866Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Youth Job Center of Evanston
$299,599Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
XD Tech
$292,674Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Manufacturing Rennaissance
$290,840Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Polish American Association
$285,862Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Symbol Training Institute
$279,599Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Youth Guidance
$274,706Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
SUHI
$260,167Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Brothers Health Collective
$259,394Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Asian Human Services - Youth Program
$258,005Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Breakthrough
$256,032Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and Other Grant Activiies
Current and upcoming funding from Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Residents of suburban Cook County with disabilities and other special populations served through the program network.
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