Get Job Skills: Community Initiative

Microsoft Elevate America incorporates a number of programs and resources that share a common focus; providing technology skills training, and resources to help people find employment. Building on our long history working with nonprofit partners to provide IT access and skills training, the Elevate America community initiative focuses on providing nonprofits with support and resources to provide people in local communities with the skills and resources they need to be successful in today's workplace.

Through a competitive funding process, Microsoft will award $4 million cash, $6 million software and IT skills training curriculum resources, over two years, to eligible 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organizations and their partner organizations which may include: workforce agencies, community colleges, labor organizations, and other nonprofit organizations.

Over the next two years, grant recipients will be funded to provide individuals with the support needed for a successful re-entry to the workforce. The services provided by successful applicants will include technology skills training and job placement and may also include career counseling and other support services such as childcare, transportation and housing.

Technology skills training provides individuals with the knowledge they need to use computed technology and applications they need to successfully secure employment across a wide range of industries and sectors. These skills could include use of the internet and e-mail, applications in the Microsoft Office suite of products like Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint and technology that is specific to an industry needs, such as healthcare or green IT.

This is a two year commitment. In year one, we will seek to fund partners who will provide the skills training, job placement and related support needed to give individuals the skills and resources they need to successfully find employment in today’s workforce. Grants may be extended for a second year subject to a review and successful completion of year one program metrics and goals.

All proposals must include at least one organization that is eligible to receive cash funding from Microsoft as defined by the following criteria:

Follow the three steps outlined below.

This FAQ contains a significant amount of information that may assist in answering any questions you have. You can also listen to a previously recorded Elevate America Community Initiative Q and A webinar. Please note that in order to insure a fair and transparent process we are unable to answer questions or give advice, guidance or feedback related to any individual organizations proposed program or proposal format.

Microsoft will work with a review committee comprised of individuals internal and external to Microsoft with a variety of expertise in workforce development who will provide feedback and help evaluate the proposals received through this process.

In an effort to meet the growing demand for IT skills training, we will give priority to:

• Collaborative partnerships between two or more organizations in the nonprofit, workforce development, labor and education sectors.
• Organizations with strong partnerships that provide the necessary training and support services to prepare people for jobs including technology skills training and job placement services
• Entities with a track record that demonstrates effective performance in serving underserved communities, particularly women and young workers
• Programs and partnerships with a deep understanding of labor market needs and strong connections to local employers
• Programs that demonstrate well designed plans to scale, sustain and replicate successfully across multiple organizations, regions or at a national level
• Organizations and partnerships able to meet the required 50% cash match
• Organizations or partnerships that provide the other critical support services individuals may need to achieve success in their career aspirations including childcare, housing support and transportation assistance. Note: support services such as childcare, transportation and housing, in support of broader technology/job skills training programs should comprise no more than 20% of the total request to Microsoft.

For this request for proposal process, we have a particular, but not exclusive, interest in working with partners who are focused on the needs of women and young workers (ages 18-25) within the broader population of underserved communities.

Yes, government agencies and for-profit organizations can act as partners. However, the lead applicant organization must be eligible to receive Microsoft funds.

We recognize how important volunteers are to non-profit organizations and welcome their participation in the programs. However, for the purposes of this RFP we require that organizations have paid staff involved in the administration and oversight of the funded program.

All proposals will be considered unless the organization is not responsive to the criteria in the RFP. As referenced above, priority will be given to applicants where one or more of the partners have a proven track record of effective performance in serving the target population and/or providing the technology skills training or services described the RFP.

As mentioned above, an expert review team will evaluate proposals using the criteria outlined in the RFP.

Microsoft will give priority to the funding of innovative, proven initiatives that demonstrate well designed plans to scale and replicate successful programs. Proposals will be evaluated based on the quality of the service strategy, program and partnerships that are developed. Successful applications will demonstrate a well-designed program that includes outreach, intake, pre-enrollment assessment, job training, strong employer connections, job placement services, counseling, mentoring, supportive services and other assistance that helps individuals to reintegrate into the workforce. In addition, grantees should have a process in place for tracking, measuring and reporting participant outcomes. There are no specific percentages or numbers served required or recommended with this RFP, and we defer to your local knowledge and organizational capacity to dictate what is a reasonable expectation. Microsoft is seeking proposals and projects that are able to articulate a clear and well-designed plan to scale programs to meet the needs of more individuals over time.

We know that there are many populations in need of the skills and support required to be successful at work, especially in today’s changing and technologically sophisticated workforce. Some of the groups at highest risk include women and young workers, specifically those from traditionally underserved communities. For this reason, we have a particular, but not exclusive, interest in working with partners who are focused on the needs of women and young workers (ages 18-25) who are at an even greater risk within the broader population.

Women are often at a disproportionate disadvantage in the workforce. For example, almost 60% of all low wage workers are female compared to 44% of higher wage workers. And women’s re-employment rate is ~6% lower than men’s.

Young workers (represented by ages 18-25) also see a disproportionate disadvantage in the workforce as compared to the broader population. Young adults represent 13.5% of the workforce but account for 26.4% of unemployed workers. There has been a notable decline in the number of young adults participating in the labor market ( down 6.5% since December 2007).

Yes, all strong proposals that meet our criteria and serve underserved populations broadly will be considered competitive for this process. However, we do have particular, but no exclusive interest in programs serving one or both of these target populations.

Yes, the RFP states that a grantee must submit a budget with “diverse” sources in income, in addition to the Microsoft grant. The total request of Microsoft for this RFP may be no more than 50% of the overall cash budget for the program that funds are being requested for, with the request not to exceed $250,000. Funding requested from Microsoft should be used for programmatic expenses such as staffing, marketing, intake, and training and not for expenses such as rent, maintenance, hardware, utilities or other “operational” or “brick and mortar” type of expenses.

Example: The total program budget is $400,000. Your request of Microsoft would be $200,000 or 50% of the total program budget. This $200,000 request to Microsoft should be comprised of allowable, program related expenses as outlined in the RFP. The $200,000 matching funds must be cash not in-kind and must be “in hand”, not “requested” or “in process” and may come from either public or private funding sources.

Matching funds must be cash, must be “in hand”, not “requested” or “in process” and may come from either public or private funding sources.

Support services such as childcare, transportation and housing, which fall outside of technology/job skills training, should comprise no more than 20% of the total request to Microsoft.

Yes, staff salaries are an acceptable program expense and therefore can be covered with requested grant funds. If a partner organization is providing staff a proportionate amount of their salary can be used towards the cash match.

No, these are not permissible programmatic expenses as defined in the Elevate America community initiative RFP.

No, the entire match can come from the lead applicant or the match can be made of contributions from several of the partnering organizations.

This is dependent on the specific requirements of each of these funding sources. Many of these government funding sources are restricted in a variety of ways and it will be up to you to determine if use of them is eligible under your other contractual obligations.

Grantees are expected to provide training on technology skills at a basic and intermediate level at a minimum to all program participants who are not already at these levels for their specified career pathway or employment goal. The training should be mapped to the technology skills needed by employers in the local area. Microsoft will provide curriculum as part of the grant award where requested, but it is not a requirement to be used as a part of this grant. Learn more about the curriculum available through Microsoft at www.microsoft.com/digitalliteracy.

No, Microsoft will not provide laptops or other hardware as part of this program. Additionally, funding requests to Microsoft should not include a hardware expense or request.

No, there is no preference for using Microsoft training curriculum, which is available at no cost to any interested organization.

No, the technology skills training does not have to focus on or cover Microsoft products, however grantees are expected to provide training on technology skills at a basic and intermediate level, at a minimum, to all program participants who are not already at these levels for their specified career pathway or employment goal.

Microsoft will provide a point of contact to grant recipients who will be able to provide technical assistance as needed. Microsoft reserves the right to visit grantees at any time to ensure funds are being properly utilized. Grantees should expect at least one announced visit during the year.

Final decisions will be announced in January, 2011 and funds will be distributed at that time.

At this time, our plans are that this RFP process will happen this year. Future plans around additional funding opportunities will be announced at a later date.

We recognize that there are organizations who may not qualify or choose not to apply through this RFP, but may be interested in other Microsoft support. Microsoft offers many non-cash resources for nonprofits including:

Software Donations

Microsoft volunteer support

Employee matching gifts

If you do not find the answer to your question in this FAQ or in the webinar recording please contact elevate@microsoft.com.