I. INTRODUCTION 

CALIFORNIA JOBS FIRST (CJF)

CALIFORNIA JOBS FIRST (CJF) was established under Senate Bill 162 (SB 162) in September 2021 to boost long-term economic growth and sustainability across California. This program is essential to strengthening the state’s economic resilience as we transition to a carbon-neutral future. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CJF supports recovery efforts by helping communities diversify their economies and grow sustainable industries that provide high-quality, accessible jobs for all Californians. CJF seeks to create broadly accessible economic opportunities and address historical inequities by investing in local industries, supporting communities in the transition to a carbon-neutral future, and helping build good-paying, accessible jobs for everyone across the state. 

The CJF program follows a four-phase grant process designed to encourage inclusive planning and equitable outcomes for underserved communities throughout the state. The phases include the Pre-Planning Phase, the Planning Phase, the Catalyst Phase, and the Implementation Phase. This phased approach ensures intentional planning, community engagement, and effective execution, with a commitment to creating opportunities for populations that have historically been underserved. CJF aims to build strong, inclusive local economies and address long-standing inequities by making economic opportunities widely accessible. 

VALLEY VISION

VALLEY VISION serves as the main organizer and fiscal agent for the eight-county California Jobs First initiative in our region, named We Prosper Together. Valley Vision has guided this effort from its earliest stages. Valley Vision’s role is to make sure that the economic goals of CJF are reached in a way that benefits everyone, especially communities that have been systematically overlooked in the past.

As a regional leadership organization, Valley Vision is dedicated to advancing economic, environmental, and social equity in Northern California. Focused on uplifting communities through innovative solutions, Valley Vision leads efforts that enhance quality of life, environmental health, and economic resilience. Known as a trusted partner, Valley Vision brings together diverse groups– including local governments, businesses, and community-based organizations– to collaborate on key priorities like workforce development, clean air and climate, and healthy communities. Together, these efforts are building a stronger and more inclusive future for our region. 

WE PROSPER TOGETHER COLLABORATIVE

WE PROSPER TOGETHER COLLABORATIVE is a partnership of eight-counties: Colusa, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba. This Collaborative is focused on creating equitable opportunities and uplifting communities across Northern California that have historically been underserved. With a strong belief that economic success should benefit everyone, the Collaborative brings together resources, partnerships, and strategies to support inclusive growth. We Prosper Together works to dismantle systemic barriers and open pathways to quality jobs, educational advancement, and community empowerment for populations that have often been left out of economic progress. 

The Collaborative’s mission is to ensure that all communities, especially those that have been disproportionately affected by economic challenges, play a vital role in the region’s future growth. By centering equity in decision-making processes, We Prosper Together is building a resilient and inclusive economy that works for everyone. 

LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

LEADERSHIP COUNCIL is the main decision-making body of the Collaborative. Its role includes considering recommendations from the larger Collaborative, meaningfully engaging with communities across the region, upholding the core values of We Prosper Together, and providing guidance on regional strategic planning. 

COMMUNITY AND LABOR AMBASSADORS

COMMUNITY AND LABOR AMBASSADORS play a vital role in connecting the broader initiative to the specific needs of disinvested communities.  In each county, community ambassadors bring people together to advise the Leadership Council on key priorities and decisions. You can find a list of our region’s Community and Labor Ambassadors here. 

WE PROSPER TOGETHER REGIONAL PLAN

WE PROSPER TOGETHER’S REGIONAL PLAN, Strategies for a Thriving and Inclusive Economy, is designed to guide the Capital Region toward a strong and equitable economy. Shaped by thorough research and broad community engagement, the plan’s strategies focus on creating high-quality jobs, connecting disinvested communities to new opportunities, and ensuring equitable outcomes across the region. All applicants are encouraged to read the full Regional Plan and Executive Summary.

II. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY AND BACKGROUND

THE CATALYST PHASE

THE CATALYST PHASE  is a key part of the California Jobs First initiative, which seeks to build long-term economic resilience, workforce inclusivity, and regional competitiveness across California. The Catalyst phase is designed to speed up the implementation of strategies identified in the We Prosper Together Planning phase. Through targeted investments, it aims to boost job creation, support high-quality employment, and drive sustainable industry growth. By directing resources toward advancing high-opportunity industry sectors, the Catalyst phase helps the region create and expand quality jobs in environmentally sustainable, future-focused industries. Building on the Planning phase, the Catalyst phase turns these strategies into actionable projects, strengthening capacity in the region's most promising sectors and advancing long-term economic goals.

PURPOSE OF FUNDING

PURPOSE OF FUNDING  The goals of funding Catalyst Pre-Development Phase projects are to:

• Invest in industries that will advance environmentally sustainable, future focused, high quality job opportunities.
• Fund projects that ensure workers and disinvested communities are the primary beneficiaries.
• Advance projects toward implementation readiness, positioning them to compete effectively for future federal, state, or private funding. 

QUALITY AND PROMISING JOBS

QUALITY JOBS are occupations that offer a living wage and employer-sponsored benefits. Promising jobs, on the other hand, may not yet pay a living wage or include benefits, but they provide pathways to quality jobs within the next 10 years. Together, these types of jobs create opportunities for workers to earn a livable wage.

ELIGIBLE PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES

ELIGIBLE PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES funded through this RFP must advance economic development that contributes to building a carbon-neutral, climate-resilient economy.  This includes building capacity for quality job creation in the four priority industry areas outlined below.  Eligible projects must also meet the California Jobs First initiative definitions of “Exploratory” or “Last Mile.”

• “Exploratory” Projects: These are in the early-stage of development. Exploratory projects focus on studying whether an idea is feasible and creating plans for future work. These projects are not yet fully developed but are exploring possibilities.
• “Last-Mile” Projects: These projects have completed initial planning or feasibility studies and require a few more actions to be ready for implementation. 

Catalyst funding supports specific pre-development activities to help projects get closer to being implementation ready. See below for examples of what Catalyst funding can cover: 

Planning and Feasibility: Planning activities to explore a project’s viability. Examples of potential activities include, but are not limited to:                               

• Feasibility studies                                                        
• Market analysis
• Environmental impact assessments, surveys, and remediation 
• Site plans, project designs, and necessary permits 

Financial and Legal Frameworks: Expenses related to setting up financial or legal frameworks for the project. Examples of potential activities include, but are not limited to:                                                        

• Legal costs for setting up partnerships or public-private arrangements
• Planning costs to establish financial tools, such as a regional tax financing district 
• Creating agreements that benefit the community (Community Benefits Agreements)

Capacity Building: Investments to strengthen the project team’s ability to plan and execute the project effectively. Examples of potential activities include, but are not limited to:                                                                                 

• Staffing and training costs for project leadership
• Development of sustainable infrastructure plans for essentials like water or waste systems
• Professional development for key team members or partners. 
• Financial planning associated with a capital project (e.g., preliminary budget and construction financing)  

Pilot Projects: Pilot projects are eligible for Catalyst funding if they serve as a scalable test for broader implementation. 

• Development of new pilot or demonstration projects and programs that create innovative workforce pathways in priority industry sectors leading to high-quality jobs for disinvested communities.  Pilots must also demonstrate the potential for expansion across the region or into multiple regions.  

In addition to meeting the definition of “exploratory” or “last mile” indicated above, projects are expected to advance pathways to quality jobs in one of the following priority tradable or opportunity industry sectors identified by the We Prosper Together initiative. Priority scoring will be granted to projects that foster growth in a priority tradable industry sector.

PRIORITY TRADABLE INDUSTRY SECTORS:

Applications are expected to advance quality jobs in one or more of the following sectors. While all occupations meeting quality job threshold are encouraged, middle-skill occupations are highlighted within each category.  

• Biotechnology -This sector is concentrated on food and life science innovations, including biotechnology, biopharma, agriculture, and food technology. With core drivers of research and innovation in the region, this sector offers promise for the expansion of future high-quality job opportunities. 

Examples of middle skill occupations consist of technicians, including lab, drafting engineering, and mapping technicians; information and records organization specialists; mathematical science occupations, management and supervisory positions, installation, maintenance, and repair workers, and administrative roles. 

• Precision Manufacturing - This sector includes manufacturing high-value-added products containing instrumentation and microelectronics manufacturing, including medical device manufacturing, next-generation transportation, machinery manufacturing, robotics, aerospace, and defense. The region has the capacity to produce intricate, highly accurate components to meet stringent specifications and tolerances. In light of major new investments, this sector presents emerging opportunities in microelectronics and semiconductors, battery production, cleantech, instrumentation, and advanced agricultural equipment.  Focusing on this sector could preserve and grow activities that generate middle-skill, middle-income jobs. 

Examples of middle skill occupations consist of assemblers and fabricators, metal and plastic workers, production workers,  installation, maintenance, and repair workers, operators, drafting and mapping engineer technicians, administrative roles, and managers and supervisors.

• Working Lands - This sector includes food, agriculture, and wood economy product manufacturing. Manufacturing and downstream activities connected to the region’s exceptional natural resources and working lands show promise. This sector highlights the region’s emerging opportunity in the production of renewable energy products through the utilization of biomass and carbon management. 

Examples of middle-skill occupations consist of agricultural workers, dispatching and distribution positions, material recording and scheduling, material moving workers, production occupations, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, engineers, technicians, installation, maintenance and repair including vehicle and mobile equipment, management occupations, administrative roles, forest, conservation and logging workers, firefighting and prevention workers, wood, metal and plastic workers, rail transportation workers.

• Business Services - A key driver of the region’s economy, this sector includes technical services, business administration, legal services, management consulting services, advertising, and marketing, among others. Accelerated by the presence of state government, connections to the Bay Area, and national and global headquarters, business services are a major driver for the region.  This sector is the largest to pass the selection screens of tradability, feasibility, opportunity, and sustainability across the region. Additionally, this sector has the capacity to support a dispersed workforce due to the prevalence of remote work, providing opportunities to diversify areas of the region with limited source economies. 

Examples of middle-skill occupations consist of business operations specialists, computer occupations, information record specialists, sales representatives, supervisors and managers, legal support workers, financial specialists, advertising, sales and public relations, and administrative roles.

OPPORTUNITY INDUSTRY SECTORS:

While growing tradable sectors and increasing the number of jobs in those sectors is key to growing a prosperous, resilient, and sustainable economy, it can take time for investment targeted towards sector growth to create these new jobs. Therefore, it is equally important to invest in strategies to connect communities to currently available quality jobs, many of which are in local-serving sectors. Project applications will also be eligible for funding if they advance quality jobs in any of the following:

• Construction - The regional construction industry grew steadily between 2012 and 2022, with job growth in the sector accounting for more than 20% of all jobs created in the region during that period. Demand for skilled construction workers continues to rise, pushed higher by the need to backfill positions held by retiring workers. Federal and state investments in infrastructure and climate adaptation create additional opportunities for industry growth. These investments can be leveraged for maximum effect if deliberate actions are taken to diversify contractor pools and expand access to pathways into these careers. 
• Healthcare - The healthcare sector is a very large employer in the region, with many major medical systems. Healthcare concentrates a reasonably high proportion of opportunity jobs. Several sub-sectors like hospitals and outpatient care centers feature even greater shares of occupational roles with higher wages, including well-established professional and credentialing ladders that create a clear pathway for workers to navigate toward economic mobility. 
• Tourism - This local-serving sector has historically been an important contributor to our regional economy, particularly in the Tahoe subregion. Businesses in this industry run the gamut from small and micro businesses to casinos, outdoor expedition providers, boutique hotels, convention venues, major resorts, and tribal casinos. Wineries and agritourism operations attract people to agricultural areas and provide much-needed revenue for rural communities. Outdoor recreation provides a major draw for visitors from throughout California and beyond. 
• Creative Economy - Outreach and engagement across the different subregions revealed the desire for the arts and the creative economy to be better represented across the industry clusters, given that they play a crucial role in almost every industry (e.g., through design, marketing, etc.). Our region recognizes the need to include the creative economy within the broader job market by integrating it into various sectors, promoting job opportunities, and fostering a culture that appreciates and utilizes creative skills.
   

ECONOMIC EQUITY PRIORITIES

For We Prosper Together, economic equity is considered the just and fair inclusion of disinvested communities into the economic fabric of the Capital Region to ensure they advance economically and reach their full potential. Projects should prioritize economic equity by creating pathways for empowerment and social mobility for unique disinvested populations. In addition to meeting the definition of “exploratory” or “last mile” indicated prior, and advancing one of the priority or opportunity industry sectors identified by the We Prosper Together initiative, proposed project plans should intentionally incorporate inclusionary strategies to ensure direct benefit to disinvested communities.  The Capital Region’s economic equity priorities are introduced below, with the full details available here: 

• Community-Centered Inclusionary Practices - Focus on community-centered, inclusionary practices that prioritize the unique and holistic needs, strengths, and perspectives of disinvested populations. 
• Economic Inclusionary Approaches - Advance economic mobility for residents of disinvested communities through participation as workers and business owners. 
• Data Informed and Transparent Alignment and Coordination - Include transparent programmatic procedures and community-involved decision-making. 

INELIGIBLE PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES

This funding opportunity is focused on early-stage planning and development. This section outlines the types of projects that are not eligible for this funding round. 

1. Construction Projects – Any project that is ready to begin construction or involves building new facilities is not eligible for Catalyst funding. This type of project may qualify for Implementation Phase funding instead, which will open after January 1, 2025. 
2. “Ready-to-Go” Projects – Projects that are fully prepared to start immediately (i.e., those that have completed all planning, permits, and pre-development work) are also not eligible for Catalyst funding. These projects can apply for Implementation funding.  

III. ELIGIBILITY & REPORTING

ELIGIBLE ENTITIES

The following is a list of entities eligible to apply for funding:

• Nonprofit organizations
• Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)
• Academic institutions
• Local governments
• Community foundations
• Labor organizations

Note: While private businesses cannot lead an application, they are encouraged to participate as partners. 

Applicants may submit multiple project proposals.  Each proposal must be submitted separately.  Entities are allowed to act as fiscal agents for multiple organizations.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Grantees must submit regular progress reports including the following:

• Quarterly Progress Reports: Summarize the project’s progress according to the work plan including key milestones achieved, measurable objectives and performance indicators, challenges encountered, adherence to the budget, and fiscal reporting. Reports should include photos of the project's advancements whenever available along with impact stories and/or testimonials.
• Final Project Report: A comprehensive final report summarizing the current and anticipated impact of the project on economic conditions, disinvested communities, and climate impacts.  Include the full timeline of activities highlighting project successes, measurable outcomes, challenges encountered, final budget summation. This report should also include anticipated next steps and/or actionable recommendations for transitioning to the next stage of development. Project proposals involving the development of a pilot program should indicate next steps in program expansion.
   

IV. PROJECT TIMELINE AND TOTAL AWARD AMOUNTS

FUNDS AWARDED

FUNDS AWARDED will support activities from the date of award through September 30, 2026.  While there is no specified minimum or maximum award, awards are recommended to be up to $1,000,000. A total of $9 million in funding is available, with the expectation that not all funds will be allocated in this first round of funding.  A second funding opportunity is planned for the Spring or Summer of 2025. 

APPLICATION AND FUNDING TIMELINE

RFP Release - November 26, 2024

Proposers’ Webinar - December 4, 2024, 9 am to 10:30 am or December 10, 2024, 9 am to 10:30 am

Applications Due - February 2, 2025, by 11:59 pm

Approximate Award Notifications - February 28, 2025

Approximate Start Date - March 1, 2025 

End Date Projects must be completed by September 30, 2026
 

PROPOSER’S WEBINAR

PROPOSER’S WEBINAR: Potential applicants are encouraged to attend one of two optional proposers’ webinars regarding this funding opportunity. These will be held via Zoom on December 4, 2024, from 9 AM to 10:30 AM and December 10, 2024, from 9 AM to 10:30 AM.  To register please follow this Link.  The Webinars will review the application and field questions. Attendance at one of the webinars is not required, however, it is strongly recommended. Please review the application materials before attending.
 

V. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applications are due no later than 11:59 PM Pacific Time on February 2, 2025, and must be submitted through this Submittable form. Incomplete applications will not be eligible, and proposals received after 11:59 PM Pacific Time on February 2, 2025, will not be reviewed.

Please submit questions regarding this RFP to info@weprospertogether.org by 5 PM on December 9, 2024, in advance of the December 10th Proposer’s Webinar.  Questions and answers will be posted on the We Prosper Together website.