Applications are open through October 30, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time. The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), through program administrator Dalberg, invites eligible High Road Training Partnerships (HRTPs) to apply for the Cycle 3 Careers for a Cause (AB109 C4C) track. This is a competitive workforce-training grant, not a vendor procurement solicitation.
Funding and award structure
The official 2026 RFA allocates $755,000 across up to one grant for this track, within the broader HRTP Cycle 3 Fund of more than $7.7 million covering six different tracks. The RFA says exact funding amounts will be determined during contracting. It does not publish a separately guaranteed or fixed individual-applicant award maximum; the $755,000 is the track allocation, not an assured award to an applicant. No mandatory cash-match percentage is stated in the reviewed RFA; applicants should confirm any additional contract conditions with Dalberg.
Who may apply
The applicant must be a genuine five-role HRTP partnership: one lead applicant and fiscal agent, sector intermediary, employer, labor or worker representative, and training provider. All core partners must have a qualifying Los Angeles County location and be in good standing. The lead applicant must be a nonprofit, except that a for-profit workforce-development provider can lead. Government agencies cannot be the lead fiscal agent. The employer, sector intermediary, and labor or worker representative must be different legal organizations. Signed partnership commitments are required. The same partnership may submit only one Cycle 3 application and must select just one funding track.
AB109 C4C track priorities and requirements
The funded partnership must train Los Angeles County residents with lived experience of homelessness or justice involvement for unsubsidized jobs in social services and homelessness services. Examples include community health workers, peer support specialists, mental health workers, substance-use counselors, outreach staff, case managers, and shelter-based resident advisers. All participants must have qualifying lived experience, at least half must have experienced homelessness, and applicants must prioritize Skid Row outreach. Training providers must demonstrate relevant experience and job-placement capacity.
The program requires at least 42 enrolled participants, 36 graduates, and 32 placements in unsubsidized employment, plus a training stipend of at least $4,500 per participant. It must develop a DEO-owned training curriculum and meet the RFA workforce, reporting, placement, and supportive-services standards. New training cohorts are required; existing participants in an ongoing program cannot simply be transferred. Training must start by May 1, 2027, conclude by December 31, 2027, and continue outcome reporting and retention support through March 31, 2028.
Payment and limitations
Awards are paid by monthly reimbursement, generally 30-45 days after acceptable invoices and documentation. Indirect costs are capped at 10% unless the applicant holds an approved federal negotiated indirect-cost rate. Up to 10% of payment is contingent upon validated placement targets. Eligible expenses must be necessary, documented, allocable to approved program activities, and consistent with the RFA allowable-cost addendum. Grant funds cannot pay profit to a for-profit lead organization.
How to apply
Submit a completed application form (PDF), signed letters of commitment or memoranda of understanding for all five core partners (PDF), itemized budget (Excel), and logic model (PDF) by email to HRTP@dalberg.com no later than October 30, 2026, 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Use the required email subject line specified in the RFA and include the lead applicant name and attachment list in the message. Late or incomplete applications are not considered.
Official sources: DEO application webpage and templates; controlling 45-page RFA; October 23, 2026 consolidated FAQ. Research verified October 24, 2026. Review all controlling documents and any later amendments before applying.