Birmingham Workforce Partner Accelerator

The Birmingham Workforce Partner Accelerator is a 6-month accelerator program delivered by the City of Birmingham’s Department of Innovation & Economic Opportunity.

The initiative is designed to support nonprofits, small businesses, and community-based organizations in developing scalable, fundable workforce development programs aligned with City of Birmingham priorities.

Birmingham Workforce Partner Accelerator

The Birmingham Workforce Partner Accelerator is a 6-month accelerator program delivered by the City of Birmingham’s Department of Innovation & Economic Opportunity.

Who Is This Program For?

You should apply if your business is a nonprofit, startup, or community-based organization in the Birmingham area that are designing or scaling workforce development programs.

Organizations should be working in or aligned with one or more of Birmingham’s six key workforce sectors: Information Technology, Professional Services, Advanced Manufacturing, Construction Trades, Transportation & Logistics, and Healthcare.

What Your Organization
Will Gain

By the end of the accelerator, your business will have:

You will also have stronger partnerships and a data collection system to track program outcomes.

Your workforce program could change lives.

Join a 6-month accelerator and position your organization to build, pitch and fund a program that works.

Program
Overview

Key Benefits:

Program Design & Outcomes: Step-by-step guidance will ensure that you build a structured, measurable workforce program aligned with Birmingham's economic goals.
Data & Sustainability: The implementation of practical data systems and a sustainability plan will keep your program running without burning out your team.
Partnership & Funding Strategy: Develop, practice, and perfect a strategy to secure resources from the right funders, employers, and community partners.
Demo Day & Pitch: Present your program to funders and city leaders. Walk away with real feedback, potential funding, and connections.

Important
Dates

Information Sessions:

Applications:

6-Month Intensive

The Journey

JULY 2026

Orientation and Birmingham Workforce Landscape
Ecosystem Mapping and Problem Framing

August 2026

Program Design and Outcomes
Partnership Readiness and Compliance

September 2026

Data and Evaluation
Operations and Budget Planning

October 2026

Grant Writing Basics
Advanced Grant Development and Funding Strategy

November 2026

Technology and Reporting Tools
Storytelling and Pitch Preparation

December 2026

Final Coaching and Pitch Refinement
Demo Day and Post-Program Planning

Organizations will be
assessed across five categories

SCORING RUBRIC

FAQs

About the
Program

What is the Workforce Forward: Birmingham Workforce Partner Accelerator?

Workforce Forward is a 6-month accelerator program designed to support nonprofits, small businesses, and community-based organizations in developing scalable, fundable workforce development programs aligned with City of Birmingham priorities. The program is managed by the City of Birmingham’s Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity.

Who Is This Program For?

This program is for nonprofits, startups, and community-based organizations in the Birmingham area that are designing or scaling workforce development programs. Organizations should be working in or aligned with one or more of Birmingham’s six key workforce sectors: Information Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, Construction Trades, Professional Services, Transportation & Logistics and Healthcare.

How Long is the program?

The program runs for 6 months, from July through December 2026. Sessions are held twice per month in a mix of in-person and virtual formats.

Where does the program take place?

In-person sessions are held in Birmingham, Alabama. Some sessions and coaching are offered virtually to accommodate participant schedules and capacity.

Is there a cost to participate?

There is no cost to participate. The program is funded through the City of Birmingham.

What Participants
Will Learn & Do

What Topics will be covered during the accelerator?

The accelerator covers 12 monthly themes: Orientation and Birmingham Workforce Landscape; Ecosystem Mapping and Problem Framing; Program Design and Outcomes; Partnership Readiness and Compliance; Data and Evaluation; Operations and Budget Planning; Grant Writing Basics; Advanced Grant Development and Funding Strategy; Technology and Reporting Tools; Storytelling and Pitch Preparation; Final Coaching and Pitch Refinement; and Demo Day and Post-Program Planning

What will my organization have at the end of the program?

By the end of the accelerator, your organization will have a fully developed program design, a measurable outcomes framework, an implementation roadmap, a funding strategy, and pitch materials. You will also have stronger partnerships and a data collection system to track program outcomes.

Will we receive individualized support, or is everything in group sessions?

Both. The accelerator includes structured group workshops for shared learning, as well as monthly office hours and coaching for more individualized support. Participants can also access a resource library with tools, templates, and recorded sessions between meetings.

Eligibility &
Selection

What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

Nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and community-based organizations working in Birmingham’s workforce ecosystem are eligible. Organizations should be working in or seeking to serve one or more of the six priority sectors: Information Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, Construction Trades, Professional Services, Transportation & Logistics or Healthcare.

Does my organization need to be based in Birmingham?

Organizations should be based in or primarily serving Birmingham residents and communities.

How many organizations will be selected for the cohort?

The cohort size will be up to five organizations. You may contact the program team for the most up-to-date cohort size information.

What Is the Selection Process?

Interested organizations will complete an application. Applications will be reviewed for eligibility and scored based on organizational fit, alignment with program goals, and readiness to participate. Finalists may be contacted for additional follow-up.

How long does my organization have to have been operating?

At least 12 months at the time of application.

Do I need to already have a workforce program running?

You need an existing connection to workforce development. That can look like a program in early design, a pilot underway, or an established initiative ready to grow.

What would disqualify an organization from being considered?

The organization is not registered or in good standing with the Alabama Secretary of State.
There is no programmatic connection to workforce development.
The person representing the organization does not have decision-making authority over the workforce program.
The application is about general organizational support, not a workforce-specific program.

My organization has both an LLC and a nonprofit arm that supports workforce training. Which entity should apply?

Apply under the entity that directly operates the workforce program. If both work together, choose the one that holds the staffing, programming, and primary point of contact for the workforce activity. You can describe the partnership inside the application.

Is the program only for direct service providers?

No. Connector organizations are welcome to apply. The Birmingham Workforce Partners Accelerator supports organizations with an existing workforce or workforce-adjacent footprint, including those that link Birmingham residents to employers, training, or credentialing partners. Strengthening partnerships with employers and workforce providers is part of what the program supports.

We design English-language and workforce-readiness programming for diverse populations. Does that fit?

Yes. Programs that prepare residents for employment, including language access, foundational skills, and pre-employment training, are eligible when the work connects to one of the 6 priority sectors: Information Technology, Advanced Manufacturing, Construction Trades, Healthcare, Professional Services, or Transportation and Logistics.

Can our organization apply if we serve more than one of the priority workforce sectors?

Yes. Organizations whose work spans more than 1 priority sector are welcome to apply. Share the full picture of your program in the application so we understand how your work supports Birmingham’s workforce.

I run a nonprofit that has been self-funded for years. I have not pursued outside funding yet and need support across the board. Is this a fit?

Yes. Organizations with active workforce work and limited funding experience are exactly who this program supports. You will get help with program design, funding readiness, partnerships, and operations across the 6-month program.

Will applications be scored using a rubric?

Yes. Every application is reviewed using a scoring rubric. The rubric overview is posted on the landing page so applicants know what reviewers are looking for before submitting.

Will organizations be notified if they are not selected?

Yes. Every applicant will receive a communication about their status. Later this summer, the City of Birmingham will host an Office Hour for applicants who were not selected. The session will offer space to ask questions, share feedback, and learn about other opportunities the City offers small businesses and community organizations.

Participation Expectations

How much time should we expect to commit?

Participants should plan for two sessions per month during the 6-month accelerator phase (July through December 2026), plus preparation time between sessions to complete deliverables and apply learning. Sessions will be held in a mix of in-person and virtual formats.

What happens if we miss a session?

One session can be missed and excused. All sessions will be recorded and made available through the program’s resource library. Participants are expected to stay engaged and meet program milestones. The program team will be in contact with organizations that experience challenges with attendance to offer additional support.

We are a small organization with limited staff capacity. can we still participate?

Yes. The accelerator is designed with under-resourced organizations in mind. Support is tiered so organizations can engage at a level that fits their capacity, and tools are designed to be practical without creating excessive administrative burden. If your organization is committed to the work and willing to engage, the program is built to meet you where you are.

Will there be incentives for completing the program?

Yes. Detailed incentive structures will be shared with participants as part of program onboarding, however, monetary prizes are available at the end of the program for select participants. Completing program milestones and maintaining active participation are conditions for receiving program benefits and recognition.

Is there a target number of workforce participants the program is meant to reach across all selected organizations?

There is no fixed citywide participant target. Each selected organization enters at a different stage with a different community reach. The program starts where your organization currently is and supports you in growing toward your own goals. Reach is measured against each organization’s own baseline rather than a single number applied to everyone.

Can multiple people from the organization attend?

Organizations can have multiple staff attend, for example, a second team member or board member at a nonprofit. One person must remain consistent and meet 90% attendance throughout the duration of the program.

Partnerships &
Funding

Will we be connected to potential funders?

Yes. The accelerator includes sessions on grant writing and funding strategy, and participants will have access to a curated funding source library. Demo Day is specifically designed to connect organizations with funders and potential partners.

Will the program help us build partnerships with employers?

Yes. Partnership development is a core component of the accelerator. The program will help participants identify and pursue partnerships with employers, educational institutions, and community-based organizations aligned with their workforce programs.

Does the program guarantee funding or job placements?

The program does not guarantee funding or placements, but it is designed to position your organization to be competitive for funding opportunities and ready to implement programs that lead to employment outcomes for Birmingham residents.

How To Apply

How do I apply?

Applications open Monday, May 11, 2026. To apply, click this application link.

When is the application deadline?

The application deadline is Friday, May 29, 2026. The accelerator cohort is expected to begin in July 2026.

Who can I contact with questions about the program?

For questions about the Workforce Forward: Birmingham Workforce Partner Accelerator, reach out to Erika Dix, Manager of Workforce and Talent Development, at erika.dix@birminghamal.gov.

Can I update or resubmit my application after attending an info session?

Yes. If you want to refine your application based on what you learned, submit an updated version before the May 29, 2026 deadline. Only your most recent submission is reviewed.

Meet The Program Team

Erika Dix

City of Birmingham

Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity

Laurin Kelly MPH, PMP

Battle Plan Strategic Consulting

LaTasha Nix MPA

Battle Plan Strategic Consulting

Gabrielle Spotwell PMP

Battle Plan Strategic Consulting

Diamond Anderson MPH

Battle Plan Strategic Consulting

Ready to make lasting change in your community’s workforce?

Space is limited — don’t miss this opportunity to grow your leadership and workforce.