Monthly Newsletter | August 2026

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

In June, we celebrated the 16th anniversary of WorkED Consulting!

What began as a vision to help organizations secure resources, strengthen programs, and create meaningful opportunities has grown into a team of 25 dedicated professionals across 16 states and 3 countries, serving clients in 38 states and American Samoa.

Over the past 16 years, we have had the privilege of partnering with colleges, universities, workforce organizations, nonprofits, school districts, and community partners committed to creating lasting impact in the communities they serve.

We are grateful to our clients, partners, and team members whose trust, collaboration, and dedication have made this milestone possible. Every grant secured, every project completed, and every success story reflects our shared commitment to expanding opportunity and strengthening communities.

Thank you for being part of our journey. We look forward to continuing this work together as we build on 16 years of growth, innovation, and impact

Warm regards,

Mason

PROJECT SPOTLIGHTS

Santa Cruz County Workforce Development Initiative Site Visit

From July 7–9, WorkED Consulting's team of Mason, Susan, Adrienne, and Matt conducted a site visit in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, to engage employers, educators, workforce partners, and community organizations as part of the AI & Green Jobs Workforce Development Initiative.

Through focus groups and stakeholder discussions, participants identified workforce priorities related to AI and digital skills, green jobs, skilled trades, career pathways, and workforce barriers. The conversations also highlighted opportunities to strengthen training programs, expand support services, and align workforce investments with the region's evolving economic needs.

The insights gathered will help inform the county's workforce development strategy and several key project deliverables designed to support long-term economic growth and workforce resilience.

Partnering with CareerSource Central Florida at Strategic Planning Session

On July 1, The Grants Clearinghouse traveled to Orlando to partner with CareerSource Central Florida for a training session focused on strategic grant development and resource planning.

The session was part of TGC’s broader support of CareerSource Central Florida’s full-cycle grant development and management efforts, helping align funding strategies with organizational priorities and long-term operational goals. During the training, TGC worked with leadership and staff to explore approaches to grant development that strengthen organizational capacity, support workforce programming, and position the organization to pursue new funding opportunities.

We appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with the CareerSource Central Florida team and look forward to continuing our partnership as they advance their funding strategy and workforce initiatives.

OUR REACH

Upcoming Event Spotlight: SPN Annual Meeting, Orlando

Mason Bishop will participate in the State Policy Network (SPN) Annual Meeting pre-conference session, A Human Flourishing Agenda in the States, sponsored by the Alliance for Opportunity, the American Enterprise Institute, and the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP).

The session will bring together state policy leaders and workforce experts to discuss strategies that promote work, family stability, upward mobility, and long-term economic opportunity. Topics will include workforce system modernization, safety net reform, housing policy, and initiatives that strengthen pathways to self-sufficiency.

Participation in the session provides an opportunity to engage with national leaders and explore policy approaches that can inform future workforce and economic development initiatives.

If you'll be attending the SPN Annual Meeting in Orlando and would like to connect with Mason, we encourage you to reach out to schedule a time to meet.

TEAM HIGHLIGHT

Welcoming Laura Hughes

We’ve been delighted to have Laura Hughes join the WorkED Consulting and The Grants Clearinghouse team.

Laura brings extensive experience in grant development, project management, and education-focused operations. Before joining WorkED, she secured more than $10 million in competitive grant funding for Chicago Public Schools and managed an active grant portfolio totaling $15 million.

Her expertise in education, community engagement, and strategic operations has already made a meaningful impact on our team and the clients we serve. We’re excited to continue working alongside Laura as we support educational institutions, nonprofits, and workforce development partners across the country.

Reach out to us today to work with Laura or other TGC team members!

The Grants Clearinghouse

P.O. Box 12191

Burke, VA 22009

info@grantsclearinghouse.com