Our Supporters
Together, we can help thousands of learners unlock their full potential and secure family-sustaining careers.
We couldn’t do it without you.
At Merit America, we are dedicated to providing hard-working learners with the training and support they need to succeed. To date, our efforts have resulted in nearly $700M in wage gains for low-wage Americans. We are proud to report that for every $1 invested in Merit America, we are able to drive $33 in wage gains into the pockets of hard-working Americans. But we still need your support to drive $1B in wage gains by 2025.
- $26,000: Average wage gain pre-program to post-program completion for Merit America Alumni*
- 9,275+: Total number of learners served by Merit America’s programs
- 33:1: Every dollar invested in Merit America creates a 33x social return on investment**
**According to Bridgespan Social ROI Impact Analysis
Kalen’s Road To Tech
Kalen’s journey mirrors that of countless others – searching for ways to propel his career forward, yet unsure of the necessary next steps. Faced with limited options due to his full-time job and financial constraints, a predicament millions of Americans can relate to, his breakthrough arrived when he stumbled upon Merit America. Kalen attributes his success to personalized coaching, which he deems “crucial” in navigating the workforce after nearly a decade in autobody repairs. Through Merit America, he acquired the coveted IT skills he desired, culminating in a remarkable $45,000 wage increase upon transitioning to a role as a Network Operations Analyst.
Case Study: Clark Foundation
By investing in Merit America, the Clark Foundation demonstrated the power and the payoff of taking a risk on strong leaders, who needed only capital to translate their crystal-clear vision from a 15-person pilot to a thriving organization that has prepared more than 7,500 people to succeed in new career paths.
Advancing Regional Workforce Training
In a groundbreaking move, Merit America and Crankstart join forces with a $15.6 million grant to uplift Bay Area residents from low-wage jobs, offering tech skills and career guidance to over 2,000 individuals. This partnership is set to catalyze a $200 million surge in wage progression across California, addressing educational disparities and providing a tangible pathway to economic mobility.
Hear From Our Supporters →
Through our partnership with Merit America, we are breaking down barriers and providing life-changing opportunities for the workforce.
Ann Canela | Director of Corporate Giving
Through one of Ascendium’s most significant philanthropic awards to date, we’re proud to help Merit America to reach sustainable, national scale and impact.
Carolyn Lee | Deputy Director – Education Grantmaking
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Merit America is a registered US 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit.
Press Highlights
Heckscher Foundation for Children: Merit America Case Study
“We provided the first funding to Merit America and have since supported its launch in New York City.”
Capital One awards grant funding to nonprofits addressing Dallas’ COVID-19 workforce challenges.
“We are deeply invested in organizations that are bolstering the resilience of our communities,” said Sanjiv Yajnik, President, Financial Services at Capital One.
The Hg Foundation backs Merit America to help low-wage workers access careers in tech
“The Hg Foundation, a grant-giving charity with a focus on removing barriers to education & skills in technology, today announced a three-year partnership with Merit America…”
Blue Meridian invests $60 million in equitable recovery
“Funding collaborative Blue Meridian Partners has invested $60 million to help scale efforts to close financial equity gaps.”
A digital jobs program to help America’s economic recovery
“We’re especially proud that the Google IT Certificate provides a pathway to jobs for groups that are underrepresented in the tech industry.”
Merit America Skills Training Programs Generate Upward Socioeconomic Mobility
“Our $10 million investment will supplement up to $45 million dollars provided by the Google Career Certificates Fund, which was co-designed by Merit America to bring unique financing to the workforce development sector.“
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