Our Supporters
Together, we can help thousands of learners unlock their full potential and secure family-sustaining careers.
We envision a world in which anyone can advance their life based on merit, not money.
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 more than $1B 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:
$24,000
Average wage increase from pre–to post-program for Merit America alumni (2023 UVA wage analysis).
33:1
Every dollar invested generates a 33x return in social impact (Bridgespan Social ROI Impact Analysis).
11,000+
Learners served by Merit America programs with 80% of alumni securing jobs within 3-months.
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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
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