Diversifying Revenue
Climb Hire
The Challenge
Climb Hire was founded in 2019 and trains diverse and determined talent to break into new careers. Until working with Trailhead Strategies, their revenue model was primarily driven by philanthropy, employer placement fees, and participant contributions after completing the program. To scale and sustain their impact, the Climb Hire executive team knew they needed to tap into government funding, but they knew they needed a guide.
The Trailhead team worked with Climb Hire to assess which government funding opportunities made sense to pursue based on Climb Hire’s program model, target markets, and existing relationships. The Trailhead team then identified specific one-time grant opportunities and ongoing revenue streams, including SNAP Employment & Training Funds and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds. After prioritizing these opportunities, the Trailhead team collected key application materials and managed revenue opportunities, including:
Identifying and assessing fit for public funding opportunities
Grant writing and grant project management
Making introductions to key local, state, and federal government agency leaders and funders
Briefing Climb Hire staff on pros and cons and operational implications of different funding streams
Managing partner relationships
Project Description
Within a few months, Trailhead helped Climb Hire secure a $750,000 contract from the State of California and has identified several more opportunities to pursue and laid out a path to secure ongoing public funds from other federal, state, and local sources.
The RESULTS
““We partnered with the Trailhead team to help Climb Hire identify and secure government funding. We had philanthropic support alongside employer fees and participant payments. But we knew we needed to diversify our funding sources. Before working with Trailhead, we either didn’t know about these opportunities or we didn’t have the expertise to pursue them. Their professionalism, expertise, and the extra set of senior-level hands they offer give me the confidence to tap into public funds and expand our impact. ”