Upwork Foundation Grants $800K to Empower Youth and Close Tomorrow’s Skills Gap

Today's evolving technologies of artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, cybersecurity innovations, augmented reality (AR) and (virtual reality) VR are reshaping every aspect of our lives. The next generation of professionals must have the digital skills necessary to thrive in the workforce of tomorrow.

The Upwork Foundation’s 2024 grantmaking is focused on providing youth aged 15 to 25 with skills they’ll need to build careers in today’s tech-driven, digital workforce. The Upwork Foundation proudly announces its commitment of $800,000 in grants to 11 nonprofit organizations that are bringing this support to youth from marginalized communities. 

“I’m deeply inspired by our grantees this year. These organizations are equipping youth across the globe—some of whom live in extremely remote areas—with the technical and soft skills they’ll need to not only launch their careers but also be resilient in the face of changing workforce demands,” said Hannah Erickson, Director of Sustainability and Impact at Upwork.

Since 2018, The Upwork Foundation has directed $4.6 million in grants to nonprofits focused on workforce development, entrepreneurship, job creation, and improved quality of life for traditionally marginalized communities. The Upwork Foundation grant program is by invitation only.  

In 2024, we invested in youth (age 15 - 25) employment opportunities in the following communities:

• Low-income countries as defined by the World Bank. Globally, the youth unemployment rate currently stands at 13% – equivalent to almost 65 million people out of work.
• Underserved urban areas in developed countries, where household incomes fall below the national poverty line.

“Upwork knows how important it is to embrace diverse career paths. We’re committed to continuing to support organizations that use innovative thinking to pave the way toward economic stability and independence," said Sunita Solao, Upwork’s Chief People Officer and Executive Sponsor of The Upwork Foundation. 

The Upwork Foundation 2024 grantees

The Upwork Foundation grant team selected grant recipients with support from Upwork’s Giving Circle, a group of 14 employees from across the company. Upwork Foundation’s donor-advised fund at Tides Foundation has made grants to the following nonprofits, both for program-specific needs as well as general support.

Coded by:

Based in: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Focus: U.S.

Coded by: equips underrepresented youth with the tech skills necessary to transform their lives, guiding them from their first line of code all the way to their first startup.

Digital Opportunity Trust

Based in: Ottawa, Ontario
Focus: East Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Canada

Digital Opportunity Trust works to mobilize and inspire underserved and disadvantaged youth with digital literacy, 21st-century skills, and the confidence to thrive in an inclusive digital economy.

Innovate Educate & Inspire Pakistan

Based in: Barashal Hunza, Pakistan
Focus: Gilgit Baltistan region

Innovate, Educate, & Inspire Pakistan works to address global and local challenges with knowledge, skills, and tools rooted in innovation and empathy.

KindKart

Based in: San Jose, California
Focus: India

KindKart provides a charitable marketplace based on transparency that connects donors with causes they care about. 

Latin American Leadership Academy (LALA)

Based in: Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia
Focus: Central and South America

LALA aims to promote sustainable economic development and strengthen democratic governance in Latin America by finding, developing, and connecting a new generation of diverse, principled, and socially innovative leaders.

MAIA Impact School

Based in: Denver, Colorado
Focus: Rural Guatemala

MAIA Impact School is a pioneering educational initiative in Central America dedicated to maximizing and amplifying the transformational power of women to create a society with equity and opportunity.

Pacific Links Foundation

Based in: Milpitas, Colorado
Focus: Vietnam‍

Pacific Links Foundation supports the sustainable development of Vietnamese communities and the enrichment of their cultural heritage.

Passerelles Numeriques

Based in: Paris, Île-de-France
Focus: Cambodia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Madagascar

‍Passerelles Numeriques empowers underprivileged youths in multiple countries through innovative digital education, allowing them to escape poverty in a sustainable way and contribute to the social and economic development of their country.

RefuSHE 

Based in: Chicago, Illinois
Focus: East Africa

RefuSHE works to protect, educate, and empower refugee girls and young women to build healthier and more resilient futures for themselves and their children.

The Urban Alliance Foundation, Inc.

Based in: Washington, D.C.
Focus: Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Chicago, and Detroit.

Urban Alliance works to create opportunities for young people in underserved communities to help them live a life of economic independence and upward mobility through vital skills training, mentorship, and meaningful paid work experiences.

Uncommon

Based in: Harare, Zimbabwe
Focus: Zimbabwe

Uncommon provides free technology education, entrepreneurship, and employment training to youth and young adults from underserved communities around the world.

Closing the global opportunity gap

The Upwork Foundation works collaboratively with the Tides Foundation to process grants, ensuring grantmaking compliance. The Tides Foundation conducts due diligence on each organization before approving grants and issuing funds on Upwork’s behalf. 

To learn more about the incredible work of each grantee, visit their websites and follow their journeys. Stay connected with The Upwork Foundation by following Upwork on LinkedIn or X, for updates on future grantmaking cycles and more stories of impact. 

‍Learn more about The Upwork Foundation and previous grantees.