Are you a youth-centered organization working at the intersection of environmental justice, food sovereignty, and community empowerment? The Cedar Tree Foundation invites you to apply for its Rooted in Justice Program, a grant initiative designed to uplift youth-led and youth-serving efforts that advance environmental and food justice across the U.S.
🟢 About the Program
The Rooted in Justice Program supports grassroots organizations that center youth leadership in environmental and food justice work. Grants are typically $25,000 per year for up to two years, with additional capacity-building support available.
🔍 Who Can Apply
This year, eligible applicants must be located in one or more of the following states:
Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C.
Additional eligibility criteria:
Organizations of any size may apply, but preference is given to those with budgets under $800,000.
Programs must be already established. RIJ funds cannot be used to start new programs or pilot new work.
Applicants must be U.S.-based nonprofits or fiscally sponsored projects.
Must work directly with youth ages 14–24 in environmental or food justice.
Must prioritize BIPOC youth leadership and community-rooted approaches.
RIJ funds cannot be used for:
Individuals
Lobbying or partisan political activity
Re-granting programs
Organizations with a religious affiliation or mission
New or pilot programs
For-profit organizations
đź“… Deadline
Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) will be accepted through Thursday, October 2nd, 2025.
🌟 What They Fund
The Foundation prioritizes:
Youth-led urban agriculture and food justice programs
Environmental education and leadership development
Community-based initiatives that build power and resilience
📬 How to Apply
Visit the Rooted in Justice Grants page to learn more about eligibility, past grantees, and the application process. The Foundation encourages applications from BIPOC-led organizations and those working in historically underfunded communities.
đź’ˇ Why It Matters
This grant opportunity is a powerful resource for organizations nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards and justice advocates. If your work aligns with these values, don’t miss the chance to apply and grow your impact.
Job Corps has long been a sanctuary for vulnerable youth, a place where opportunity and guidance replace uncertainty and hardship. For over 50 years, this program has not merely been about training; it has been about transformation. Its classrooms and dormitories have served as a lifeline, rescuing countless young people on the brink of despair and guiding them toward a brighter horizon. But what happens when such a lifeline is removed? What becomes of the hope it instills, the skills it nurtures, and the lives it reshapes?
Much like the roots of a tree anchor it to the earth, Job Corps has anchored thousands of young individuals to a future they might never have imagined possible. It takes those caught in the tumultuous winds of poverty, unemployment, and systemic disadvantages and offers them the stability to grow, learn, and thrive.
However, as discussions around Job Corps’ discontinuation surface, we are left to wonder about the ripple effects this shutdown could have on society’s most vulnerable.
Roots of the Program, Vital to the Tree of Opportunity
Job Corps stands at the intersection of education, workforce development, and compassion. It helps young people aged 16 to 24 develop the skills they need to succeed in life and work, providing not just academic instruction but hands-on vocational training and personal development programs. The program places emphasis not only on technical expertise but also on soft skills like communication and responsibility, which are critical for adapting into society and the workforce.
For many participants, Job Corps has been their first taste of stability, mentorship, and structure. Imagine a young individual uprooted from generational poverty and planted into the fertile grounds of Job Corps’ training environment. What grows there are not just skilled workers, but confident human beings equipped to thrive in their communities.
Loss of Job Corps and Its Ripple Effects
The removal of such a program goes far beyond a loss of resources; it is the disruption of a critical life path for many young people already in precarious positions.
Educational Disparity
Youths who relied on Job Corps for GED programs and technical certifications would suddenly face an educational void. For individuals who didn’t fit into traditional educational systems, the program provided a second chance to succeed academically and professionally. Without it, that chance evaporates, leaving many on the fringes of economic participation.
Unemployment Spike Among Vulnerable Youth
Job Corps offered not only vocational training but also direct linkages to employment through partnerships and apprenticeships. Its discontinuation would mean an increase in unskilled, unemployed youth entering an already strained job market. The estimated economic burden of disengaged youth could surge, translating into higher costs for social service programs and lost productivity.
Rise of Despair and Alienation
For many participants, Job Corps provided more than training; it gave them a sense of purpose and belonging. Without this network of community support, there is a concern regarding the mental health toll, with increased risks of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and, tragically, involvement in crime or incarceration.
Community Disconnect
Job Corps centers fostered a nucleus of progress in the communities they served. They provided employment both directly within the centers and indirectly by graduating skilled professionals who could contribute to local economies. Their closure would leave a gaping hole in communities that were already underserved.
A Loss Larger Than Statistics
Numbers may quantify the scale of impact, but the human cost of such a decision is immeasurable. These are not merely “youths” or “participants” in abstract terms; these are sons, daughters, and siblings with hearts full of potential and minds brimming with dreams. To take away Job Corps is to take away one of the most reliable bridges to those dreams.
Can society afford to bear the weight of this ripple effect? What happens to the young man who might have become a highly skilled machinist or the young woman who dreamed of a career in the healthcare field?
Restoring pathways through coalitions and action
While the potential discontinuation is dire, it presents an opportunity for community leaders, advocacy groups, and grassroots organizations to step into the gap. Coalition building could amplify the voices of those advocating for the program, securing grants and policy support to keep similar vocational initiatives alive at a local level.
Organizations focused on youth empowerment must now map out survival strategies for at-risk communities. Whether through private funding or regional skill development initiatives, a united front can plant new seeds of hope where programs have been uprooted.
Final Thoughts
Job Corps was never merely a program. It was a tapestry weaving together opportunity, empowerment, and personal growth. Its loss may create tears in the fabric of society that will be difficult to mend without immediate and collective action.
Yet, history has shown us that where one door closes, resilience can forge another. Advocacy, innovation, and compassionate solutions must guide us in safeguarding the futures of our youth. Together, we have the strength to turn despair into resolve and pave a way forward for those who need it most.
Because when we stand together as a community, the ripple effect of hope and action can be far more profound than the ripple of loss.
Reflecting on my undergraduate experience, one course stands out as a potential moment in my journey: the Sociology of Education. This class illuminated the intricate relationship between education and society, revealing how systemic inequalities shape access to learning opportunities. It sparked a passion within me to advocate for educational equity, particularly for marginalized communities.
As I delved into the complexities of educational structures, I became acutely aware of the barriers faced by grassroots organizations striving to make a difference. These organizations often operate on the frontlines, working tirelessly to address disparities and provide resources to those who need them most. However, many lack the support, funding, and strategic guidance necessary to amplify their impact.
Inspired by the principles of sociology and the urgent need for change, I founded Wisdom Born Consulting. This platform was created to empower grassroots organizations by helping them navigate the challenges of resource acquisition, strategic planning, and community engagement. My goal is to ensure that these organizations can focus on their missions while being provided with the assistance needed to handle the logistics that often hinder progress.
As we approach the International Day of Education, I reflect on how the insights gained from that Sociology of Education course continue to shape my work. This day is not just a celebration of learning; it is a call to action to address the inequalities that persist in educational access. It aligns with Wisdom Born Consulting’s mission to organization’s dedicated to creating inclusive and equitable educational opportunities for all.
Through these efforts, Wisdom Born Consulting strives to honor the spirit of the International Day of Education by fostering collaboration, innovation, and empowerment. By working alongside grassroots organizations, my hope is to help bridge the gap between aspiration and achievement, ultimately paving the way for a brighter future where every individual has the opportunity to learn and grow.
In essence, my journey from the classroom to the creation of Wisdom Born Consulting is a testament to the power of education as a catalyst for change. As we celebrate the International Day of Education, let us remember that education is not just a privilege; it is a fundamental human right that must be accessible to everyone, everywhere. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that the promise is realized for all.
Estimated Application Due Date: Sep 16, 2024 – Applications must be submitted electronically no later than 11:59 pm Eastern Time.
Estimated Project Start Date: Feb 01, 2025
Estimated Total Program Funding: $99,000,000
Award Ceiling: $1,500,000
Award Floor: $700,000
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: 25% – Non-federal
Grants will be awarded to organizations providing pre-apprenticeship services that support education, occupational skills training, and employment services to opportunity youth, ages 16 to 24, who are performing meaningful work and service to their communities.
The YouthBuild program model prepares participants for quality jobs in a variety of careers, in diverse industry sectors, particularly in infrastructure sectors, and includes wrap-around services such as mentoring, trauma-informed care, personal counseling, transportation support, and employment preparation – all key strategies for addressing violence in communities.
YouthBuild applicants must include construction skills training and may include occupational skills training in other in-demand industries. This expansion into additional in-demand industries is the Construction Plus component.
Eligible applicants for these grants are public or private non-profit agencies or organizations, including consortia of such agencies or organizations. These organizations include rural, urban, or Native American/Tribal entities that have previously served opportunity youth in a YouthBuild or other similar program.
DOL will fund approximately 75 projects across the country. Individual grants will range from $700,000 to $1.5 million and require a 25 percent match from applicants, using sources other than federal funding. This FOA features a matching waiver for Tribal entities and U.S. insular areas which allows these entities to not include a match commitment in their applications.
The grant period of performance for this FOA is 40 months, including a four-month planning period and a twelve-month follow-up period. Questions regarding this FOA Forecast may be emailed to YB_FOA-ETA-24-53@dol.gov. However, please note there is limited information that may be shared with the public, as this FOA is currently under development. We encourage prospective applicants and interested parties to use the Grants.gov subscription option to register for future updates provided for this particular FOA.
