The Hg Foundation has announced a $1.2 million grant to Hopeworks, a nonprofit organization based in Camden, which aims to assist young adults in gaining the skills and work experience necessary for securing careers with sustainable wages. This grant will enable Hopeworks to expand its operations into Newark and another East Coast metropolitan area, with details on the second location forthcoming.
Hopeworks, established in 1999, focuses on helping young adults overcome barriers to economic opportunity. Most participants lack college degrees and are unemployed when they join the program. The organization provides training in areas such as Web Design, Geographic Information Services (GIS), or Data Analytics and Business. Participants receive six months of work experience aligned with their training before moving into long-term employment.
To date, Hopeworks has supported over 3,000 young adults, with 95% of current participants securing employment within a year and experiencing significant income increases.
The grant from the Hg Foundation will be distributed over three years and will support the expansion of Hopeworks' web design program into two new cities. It is expected to fund about half of the projected growth in this area. The impact will be measured by the number of young adults who secure long-term tech employment and their subsequent income increases.
Part of the funding will also enhance Hopeworks' senior leadership capacity for effective scaling. Additionally, the Hg Foundation plans to contribute to data and impact measurement efforts, including exploring an independent evaluation's potential.
Dan Rhoton, CEO of Hopeworks, expressed gratitude for the partnership: “This partnership with The Hg Foundation is a game-changer for the young adults we serve... Their investment doesn’t just help us grow — it sends a powerful message to our young adults that they are seen, valued, and capable of building bright, sustainable futures.”
Robert Citrino from Hg highlighted that this collaboration aligns with their commitment to providing career opportunities in STEM fields: “We are excited to support an organization that offers a high touch, high impact program as it scales into new regions...”
The Hg Foundation aims to harness diverse talents within the future tech workforce by supporting impactful education and employment programs across various regions. Funded solely by Hg—a prominent investor in software and services businesses—the foundation seeks measurable long-term impacts where needed most.
Hopeworks operates as a nonprofit social enterprise using technology alongside trauma-informed care and market-based businesses for life transformation. It offers comprehensive support including skill training; career coaching; barrier reduction services; academic assistance; and paid work experience within its business arms.
