Regional organizations working to transform educational and career outcomes for students now have an exciting opportunity to secure significant funding through the Pathways Impact Fund. Catalyzed by StriveTogether, the Fund has announced a new grant opportunity that will distribute a total of $7.5 million to regional intermediary organizations dedicated to advancing purposeful pathways that help students access high-quality educational and career opportunities.
This funding initiative reflects a growing national commitment to ensuring that young people are equipped with the knowledge, skills, experiences, and support systems needed to thrive in today’s economy. Through substantial multi-year investments, the Pathways Impact Fund aims to strengthen regional leadership, expand student access to effective pathways programs, and drive long-term economic mobility for future generations.
What Is the Pathways Impact Fund?
The Pathways Impact Fund is a national funding initiative focused on helping regions build and scale systems that connect education, workforce development, employers, and community stakeholders around a shared vision for student success.
The Fund is grounded in the belief that every young person should have access to purposeful pathways that prepare them for meaningful careers, economic mobility, and long-term personal fulfillment. By investing in regional organizations that coordinate these efforts, the Fund seeks to accelerate systems-level change and create measurable impacts for students across communities.
Funding Available
The Pathways Impact Fund will provide grants ranging from:
- $900,000 to $1.5 million per organization
- Distributed over a three-year funding period
In total, the Fund will award $7.5 million to selected regional intermediary organizations.
This substantial investment is designed to help organizations expand and strengthen the core components of purposeful pathways, ultimately increasing student participation and success.
Beyond Funding: Additional Benefits for Grantees
Selected organizations will receive much more than financial support.
Successful grantees will gain access to:
1. National Learning Network
Organizations will become part of a nationwide network of leaders committed to improving student pathways and outcomes. This network creates opportunities for peer learning, collaboration, and shared problem-solving.
2. Tailored Support
Recipients will receive customized assistance designed to strengthen implementation strategies, address challenges, and maximize impact.
3. Community of Practice
Grantees will participate in a collaborative environment where regional leaders can exchange insights, best practices, innovations, and lessons learned.
4. Capacity to Scale Student Impact
The funding is specifically intended to help organizations expand access to purposeful pathways and reach more students over the next three years.
The Vision Behind Purposeful Pathways
Purposeful pathways are structured systems that help students successfully transition from education into careers and economic opportunities.
The Pathways Impact Fund focuses on supporting pathways that integrate three essential components:
Accelerated Coursework
Students gain access to advanced learning opportunities that prepare them for higher education and workforce success.
Career-Connected Learning
Students engage in meaningful experiences that connect classroom learning with real-world careers and industries.
High-Quality Advising
Students receive personalized guidance to help them navigate educational choices, career planning, and future opportunities.
Together, these components help create a stronger bridge between education and employment while promoting economic mobility.
Who Can Apply?
The funding opportunity is specifically designed for place-based regional or state intermediary organizations that play a leadership role in coordinating pathways efforts within their communities.
Eligible applicants must be directly embedded in and accountable to the communities they serve.
Examples of eligible organizations include:
- Nonprofit organizations
- Regional collaboratives
- Public-private partnerships
- Workforce boards
- Postsecondary institutions
- Similar intermediary organizations
Organizations must demonstrate active leadership in bringing together partners across education, workforce, government, and employer sectors.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a Pathways Impact Fund grant, applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
Organizational Requirements
- Operate as a regional or state intermediary organization.
- Be place-based and community-embedded.
- Demonstrate accountability to local communities.
- Not operate solely as a national intermediary supporting regions remotely.
Partnership Requirements
Applicants must actively convene and coordinate partners across:
- K–12 education systems
- Postsecondary institutions
- Workforce organizations
- Employers
- Government agencies
Governance Requirements
Organizations must possess formal governance documentation, including examples such as:
- Regional strategic plans
- Charters
- Formal partnership agreements
Programmatic Requirements
Organizations must currently support all three core pathways components:
- Accelerated coursework
- Career-connected learning
- High-quality advising
These components must be implemented in partnership with K–12 school districts.
Growth Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate a credible strategy for scaling pathways access and reaching additional students during the three-year grant period.
Application Process
The Pathways Impact Fund application process includes multiple phases.
Phase One: Screener and Letter of Interest (LOI)
Interested organizations must first complete a brief eligibility screener.
Eligible applicants will then receive access to the full Letter of Interest form.
Deadline: July 10
Phase Two: Full Application (Invitation Only)
Organizations selected to move forward after the Letter of Interest stage will be invited to submit a full application.
Deadline: August 28
Click here for more and to apply
Why This Opportunity Matters
Across the United States, communities are increasingly recognizing the importance of creating stronger connections between education, workforce development, and economic opportunity.
The Pathways Impact Fund seeks to support regional leaders who are already driving this work and help them scale their impact to serve more students effectively.
Through strategic investments, collaborative learning, and systems-level support, the Fund aims to ensure that more young people can access pathways that lead to successful careers, economic mobility, and fulfilling futures.
Organizations that are committed to advancing purposeful pathways and expanding opportunities for students are encouraged to begin the application process before the July 10 Letter of Interest deadline.
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