EAW Awarded Grant from Salesforce Foundation to Expand Work-based Learning Program Boosting Student Employability and Cutting College Costs
With backing from the Salesforce Foundation, Education at Work expands virtual student employment program; sets plans for a new work-based learning hub at Salesforce Tower in Indianapolis
Written By: Melanie Shires | Director of Marketing
EAW is excited to announce a new $500,000 grant from the Salesforce Foundation that will fund the development of a hybrid student "learn and earn" program that will help students throughout the United States earn money to pay for college, gain new skills, and access part-time employment opportunities with Fortune 500 companies. The grant will also fund a new brick-and-mortar hub in Indianapolis that will enable Education at Work to serve an additional 200 area students by 2025, connecting them with work-based learning opportunities with major companies.
"Empowering our students to become the workforce of tomorrow isn't just about imparting knowledge – it's also about increasing financial access to education and fostering opportunities for professional growth and connection," said Becky Ferguson, CEO of the Salesforce Foundation and SVP of Philanthropy at Salesforce. "The Salesforce Foundation is proud to support Education at Work as they work to expand these pathways for student success."
Once the Indianapolis hub is fully operational and serving 200 students, it will lead to $1.39 million in annual wages for students across the Indianapolis region, along with an additional $660,000 in tuition assistance.
Recruitment and hiring of local students will kick off during the final months of 2023 and the buildout of the new Indianapolis hub will be completed by March 2024. Next spring, Education at Work will also announce the selection of its first Indianapolis-based corporate partner and additional details about colleges and universities that plan to participate.
In addition to the Indianapolis expansion, Education at Work will utilize funding from the Salesforce Foundation grant to design, build, and launch a technology platform that will enable companies to remotely hire and manage students anywhere in the country. The platform will make it possible for companies to tap the skill sets of tech-savvy students throughout the U.S. to support their internal business functions and operations and give students nationwide access to part-time work opportunities on a flexible schedule.
"The traditional way that students earn money to pay for college is broken. We've found a way to flip the script by bringing employers to the table, helping to dramatically boost student earnings and significantly reduce financial barriers to college completion," said Jane Swift, president of Education at Work and former Governor of Massachusetts. "This generous grant will accelerate our impact and help more students access flexible work experiences and earn money to offset the total cost of college attendance—all while developing transferable skill sets that will help them succeed in the workplace long after graduation."
The nationwide expansion of the program builds on more than a decade of Education at Work's campus-based partnerships with public universities that include Arizona State University, Northern Kentucky University, and the University of Utah.
Founded in 2012, Education at Work (EAW) is a national work-based learning nonprofit that helps students graduate with less debt and more skills, connections, and confidence by connecting them with flexible, paid employment opportunities. We help high-achieving college students gain the career-ready skills and financial stability needed to succeed after graduation. Our campus-based “learn and earn” model generates career outcomes for students, provides employers with a skilled workforce to address early talent needs, and helps colleges boost affordability while improving student success. To learn more about EAW, our impact, or to schedule a consultation to learn more about our business solutions, please contact Stephanie Toston.
