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Beginning this spring, and continuing through the end of 2027, America Forward is excited to partner with a pilot cohort of up to eight (8) leading high-impact sectoral training providers to shift public investment toward evidence-based programs and build providers’ capacity to navigate and participate in public funding systems. America Forward is grateful to Ascendium Education Group for their investment in this important effort and is excited to launch and lead this timely work.   

Through high-quality technical assistance, rigorous research, policymaker education, and broader field-building efforts, this project aims to drive lasting systems change that supports continued learning and improvement among sectoral training providers and across the workforce development field.

We ask interested organizations to please fill out the interest form here by Friday, April 3. Please reach out to project lead Chase Sackett, America Forward Policy Director, at chase.sackett@americaforward.org with any questions.

What is the purpose of this project?

Today, funding for evidence-based sectoral programs has not matched the impressive growth in the research base demonstrating such approaches’ ability to drive economic mobility for participants (see, e.g., this 2022 overview from J-PAL North America for an overview of the evidence and definition of sectoral programs). This project is intended to build a deeper understanding of, and meaningfully address, three primary barriers that we hypothesize have limited public funding for sectoral programs to date: 

(1) persistent policy and implementation barriers in the public workforce system to direct dollars to evidence-based sectoral models; 

(2) the need to build internal capacity and strategic prioritization for public funding among evidence-based providers more broadly, including sectoral programs; and 

(3) the opportunity for deeper investment in broader, more effective case-making. 

By working in partnership with the members of this cohort, we intend to inform the design of public funding structures while building the capacity of providers to engage with the public workforce system.

What support will Coalition members receive, and what activities will they engage in?

First, America Forward will provide robust support for Coalition members around the public workforce funding system. This will include in-depth technical assistance to participating organizations with a focus on facilitating systems change and access to public funding, including tailored analysis and support in developing strategic goals; primers on key elements of the workforce system; and referrals to trusted partners regarding individual needs (e.g., structuring innovative financing, data management, apprenticeship registration). We anticipate meeting virtually with participants on a 1:1 basis at least once a month, alongside periodic group engagements (e.g., a tailored group training regarding developing a policy agenda).

Second, America Forward will coordinate field leadership and engagement efforts in pursuit of broader systems change. In close engagement with cohort participants and the broader community of sectoral training organizations, America Forward will publish a series of policy research publications with our findings on ways to expand public funding for sectoral providers. These policy research briefs will also draw on lessons learned from a day-long, in-person convening in 2027 involving an array of leaders from the field (cohort participants will receive honoraria to cover travel expenses). Then, America Forward will partner with cohort participants to engage in direct policymaker education with federal officials as well as a handful of pilot states or localities.

What are expectations for cohort members?

We ask that participating organizations commit to identify one lead staff participant and one to two secondary participants, potentially representing complementary parts of the organization (e.g., revenue/partnerships lead, programs lead). We also ask that organizations commit to full participation in the support and field leadership components of the initiative through the end of 2027, recognizing that organizations may have different perspectives and strategic approaches to public funding.

As noted above, we also expect that cohort members will meet virtually with America Forward on 1:1 basis at least once a month.

How will cohort members be selected?

America Forward and Ascendium will select pilot cohort members later this spring on the basis of the priorities detailed in the interest form: 

(1) evidence-based impact/promise and commitment to evidence-building; 

(2) diversity in geographies and populations served; 

(3) interest in government funding and commitment to scaling their program model; and (4) commitment to systems change. 

What is the timeline for the project?

This project will involve two phases. Under Phase I, through June 2026, we will identify participants, perform research and investigation to craft our technical assistance framework,  and begin to develop systems change recommendations. Under Phase II, from July 2026 through December 2027, we will engage in intensive support for cohort participants alongside robust field leadership efforts.

What if interest exceeds capacity?

Recognizing that interest may exceed our capacity for this cohort, all interested qualifying organizations will also be invited to join the America Forward Coalition. Coalition members receive resources such as America Forward’s Policy Pulse, our every-other-week overview of the latest policy developments; access to regular briefings and trainings under the America Forward Advocacy Institute; and opportunities to participate in collective advocacy.

How will our responses to this survey be used?

Information in this survey will contribute to our research efforts into sectoral organizations and opportunities to access public funding. However, we will not publish any individually-identifiable information without express written consent from respondent organizations.

How much information would be helpful for the form’s open-ended responses?

We suggest about 1-2 paragraphs, or a concise bullet-pointed list, for the open-ended responses in the form. We want to provide organizations with sufficient flexibility to respond to the relevant question while providing enough information to meaningfully inform our deliberations as well as research efforts. At the same time, we do not want to impose an undue burden.

About America Forward and Ascendium Education Group

America Forward is a national nonpartisan policy and advocacy organization that unites our nation’s leading social entrepreneurs with policymakers to advance a public policy agenda that fosters innovation, rewards results, and catalyzes cross-sector partnerships to expand opportunity for all. America Forward leads the America Forward Coalition, a network of 100+ of the nation’s most impactful and innovative non-governmental organizations that develop and advocate for more effective public policies to advance opportunity and move all of America forward. Since its founding more than 15 years ago, America Forward has emphasized the importance of evidence-based approaches and continued evidence-building across policy domains, including education and workforce development. To learn more, visit americaforward.org. 

Ascendium Education Group® is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization driven by the belief that learning after high school gives people the power to build better futures. Our national philanthropy focuses on increasing opportunities for learners from low-income backgrounds to achieve upward mobility through postsecondary education and workforce training. We partner with organizations whose objectives align with our core strategies to expand opportunity, support learner success, and connect and align systems. Our grantees include postsecondary education and workforce training providers, intermediaries, researchers, and media organizations from across the U.S. To learn more, visit ascendiumphilanthropy.org.