Breaking Barriers Solicitation

The Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC) on behalf of the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB) is pleased to announce the availability of approximately $4,200,000 in state general funds to expand the Breaking Barriers to Employment Initiative.

All applications for Breaking Barriers funding must be submitted electronically through the Cal E-Grants website. The application can be accessed via the Funding Opportunities tab at the top of the Cal E-Grants page linked above, and selecting this grant’s link under CWDB Grant Opportunities.

View the Breaking Barriers 2.0 RFA

View the Breaking Barriers 2.0 Stakeholder Engagement Session

Eligible Applicants

Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and Local Workforce Development Boards (Local Boards)

Applications must align with the mission of this initiative and at a minimum, must include a partnership of at least one CBO and one Local Board with experience in providing services consistent with the objectives of this initiative and to the populations specified. One CBO or Local Board must be designated as the applicant and single fiscal agent.

Weekly Q&A

To adhere to the legality and transparency requirements of the solicitation process, individual CWDB or FoundationCCC staff cannot respond directly to inquiries or engage with potential applicants during the solicitation period.  This includes any advice or feedback regarding an applicant’s approach or application content.  Staff will respond to technical and clarifying questions such as allowable uses of funds, what is being requested in application fields, and Cal E-Grants support.

Questions regarding this RFA shall be sent via email to: breakingbarriers@foundationccc.org

Please use “BB 2.0 RFA Q&A” in the subject line for all application/RFA related questions. The last date to submit questions is Thursday, November 30, 2023 by 1:00 pm PT.

Breaking Barriers to Employment Initiative 2.0 Q & A

Application Presentation

A pre-recorded application presentation offering an overview of the Breaking Barriers RFA will be available on Tuesday, October 24, 2023. This presentation is intended to serve as a supplement to the RFA.

View the Breaking Barriers Application Presentation

Submitting a Breaking Barriers Application

All applications for Breaking Barriers funding must be submitted electronically through the Cal E-Grants website. Only applications submitted through the Cal E-Grants application portal will be considered. Paper applications will not be accepted and will be automatically disqualified.

The application can be accessed through the Cal E-Grants website under the Funding Opportunities tab at the top of the Cal E-Grants page linked above, then selecting this grant’s link under CWDB Grant Opportunities.

Applicants will complete a full application package which includes the necessary documentation required to enter into a contract with FoundationCCC. The complete application will include a detailed work plan, deliverables, partner commitments, participant plan, and comprehensive budget exhibits.

See the Breaking Barriers RFA for detailed Application Submission Instructions.  Additional application resources are also available at the bottom of this page.

Application and Award Timeline

Breaking Barrier 1.0 Award Announcment 

Cal E-Grants Resources

• Cal E-Grants New User Registration
• Cal E-Grants Manage Users
• How to Complete the Breaking Barriers Application