Leon Levine Foundation Grants $3.25M to Bridge Education-to-Career Gaps

The inaugural Carolina Career-Connected Learning Challenge provides one-year general operating grants ranging from $150,000 to $300,000. These funds support programs serving students in grades 7–14, specifically targeting high-demand fields like aviation, healthcare, technology, and advanced manufacturing. The foundation launched this open request for proposals to counter the narrowing of traditional entry-level professional roles caused by AI and automation.

From an initial pool of 130 applicants, the foundation selected partners that operate in both rural and urban areas. According to Tom Lawrence, president and CEO of the foundation, the initiative seeks to foster a more connected approach to workforce development for underserved communities. The selected recipients include organizations such as The Industrial Commons, Road to Hire, and the South Carolina Technical College System, all of which prioritize building networks and real-world experience over traditional graduation metrics.