If you’re part of a Local Workforce Development Board (LWDB) in Texas and you want to launch or scale an innovative workforce project, the Texas Workforce Innovation Fund is one of the best funding opportunities out there. Here’s a quick breakdown of what this grant is, how it works, and what you can actually use it for.
What Is the Texas Workforce Innovation Fund?
It’s a competitive grant program managed by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). The fund is designed to help LWDBs pilot or expand creative workforce development projects—especially those that build stronger connections between employers, education providers, and job seekers.
Key Details
- Who Can Apply: Local Workforce Development Boards (LWDBs)
- Funding Range: $25,000–$250,000 per project
- Total Available (2025): $1 million (from WIOA statewide funds)
- Grant Period: 12–24 months
- Deadline: October 17, 2025
Projects Must
- Be outside the scope of your existing programs or contracts (no double-dipping)
- Use WIOA-allowable services
- Be scalable beyond just a pilot—think about long-term impact
- Show measurable local workforce impact (prove it works!)
Allowable Expenses
You can use grant dollars for:
- Training and education (occupational skills, on-the-job training)
- Career services and participant supports (assessment, case management, supportive services)
- Project staff salaries and benefits
- Equipment, software, and data/reporting systems for grant activities
- Marketing, outreach, and participant recruitment
All costs must meet WIOA cost principles (2 CFR Part 200 and Part 683).
How Craft Can Help You Get the Most Out of Your Grant
Craft Education, powered by Western Governors University, partners with states and workforce boards to launch and scale apprenticeship and work-based learning programs.
- No software costs for apprenticeship/WBL tracking: Craft Connect is free for all users and public programs, including LWDBs. That means more of your grant dollars can go straight to serving people—think staffing, outreach, and participant support—while Craft handles data capture, progress tracking, and audit-ready reporting.
- Compliance, covered: Role-based workflows, competency tagging, and built-in reporting keep you aligned with USDOL and WIOA requirements, making audits a breeze.
- Secure, flexible, accessible: Craft is SOC 2 Type 2 compliant, supports Canvas LMS, WIOA/DOL systems, and many more integrations are coming soon.
- Registration, simplified: Our AutoReg add-on uses AI to walk you through Appendix A and Form 671 for RAP registration—making the process way easier, faster, and less stressful, with no need for additional help or guidance.
- We support you every step of the way: You get free email support, access to the Help Center, live training calls, and weekly check-ins. If you need more hands-on help, we offer personalized assistance for a one-time fee.
If your board is preparing to apply for the Texas Workforce Innovation Fund, Craft can support program design, data management, and implementation—and help you do more with the same funding.
If you have questions or want to talk through project ideas, Robert Owens is the Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships at Craft Education and a helpful resource for anything workforce grants or Craft’s platform. You can reach him at robert.owens@crafteducation.com.
