Initiatives / Career Pathways / Grants

Grants

Career Pathways grant applications for the 2026-2027 school year are now open. View the full grant guidelines and application here.

Through grantmaking and partnership, we work to increase the number of Boston students who progress through career pathways that are engaging and relevant, address community needs, and prepare young people to enter meaningful careers.

Foundations of Career and Academic Learning (FOCAL Grants)

FOCAL Grants will support schools interested in integrating school-wide efforts around career readiness, with specific attention on leveraging personalized learning plans through MyCAP.

Eligibility for FOCAL Grants

  • Public secondary schools in Boston. Priority will be given to schools interested in working in the middle grades.
  • Must demonstrate commitment of planning team members, including representation of school leadership, academics, student supports, and guidance, to engage in implementation and review efforts.
  • Must demonstrate commitment to engaging in professional development and technical assistance activities, such as workshops, site observations, and school-based supports.
  • Priority will be given to applicants who participated in the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) College and Career Advising Professional Development series.
Initiative for Deepening and Expanding Access to Learning through Career Pathways (IDEAL Career Pathways Grants)

IDEAL grants will support schools and their career‑focused partner organizations to expand student access to, and persistence within, existing career pathways and career‑connected learning opportunities by advancing the development and implementation of high‑quality pathway elements

Eligibility for IDEAL Career Pathways Grants

  • Public schools in Boston (district or charter) that enroll students in grades 9-12 (including schools with 7-12 or 6-12 grade configurations) with a demonstrated interest in career-connected learning and/or existing MA DESE Career Pathways. Schools are not required to have existing pathways in order to apply. 
  • Nonprofit organizations with an existing partnership with a public school in Boston (district or charter) that enrolls students in grades 9-12, focused on career learning and skill-building through their school-based partnership work
  • Both schools and partner organizations should have a demonstrated commitment to a planning and implementation process that allows them to collaboratively and effectively design, implement, and measure their effort

We will host open office hours for interested applicants on May 26 - June 5, 2025 Meeting times can be reserved via Calendly.

Contact LaVonia Montouté, Senior Director of Career Pathways, careerpathways@edvestors.org for any questions

Timeline