Our Supporters
Together, we can help thousands of learners unlock their potential and launch life-changing careers. Donate to Merit America and turn every $1 into $33 in wage gains for hard-working Americans.
We envision a world in which anyone can advance their life based on merit, not money.
At Merit America, we are dedicated to providing hard-working learners with the training and support they need to succeed. To date, our efforts have resulted in more than $1B in wage gains for low-wage Americans. We are proud to report that for every $1 invested in Merit America, we are able to drive $33 in wage gains into the pockets of hard-working Americans. But we still need your support to drive $1B in wage gains by 2025:
$21,000
Average annual wage increase for Merit America alumni with outcome data, 3+ months after program completion (2024 Wage Analysis).
33:1
Every dollar invested generates a 33x return in social impact (Bridgespan Social ROI Impact Analysis).
15,000+
Learners served by Merit America nationwide, with sustained impact as the program scaled from a 15-person pilot in 2018.
Kalen’s Road To Tech
Kalen’s journey mirrors that of countless others – searching for ways to propel his career forward, yet unsure of the necessary next steps. Faced with limited options due to his full-time job and financial constraints, a predicament millions of Americans can relate to, his breakthrough arrived when he stumbled upon Merit America. Kalen attributes his success to personalized coaching, which he deems “crucial” in navigating the workforce after nearly a decade in autobody repairs. Through Merit America, he acquired the coveted IT skills he desired, culminating in a remarkable $45,000 wage increase upon transitioning to a role as a Network Operations Analyst.
Case Study: Clark Foundation
When the Clark Foundation invested in Merit America, they backed a clear vision and a dedicated team working to expand opportunity. That early support helped transform a 15-person pilot into a growing organization that, by 2023, had already prepared more than 7,500 people to succeed in new career paths.
Advancing Regional Workforce Training
In a groundbreaking move, Merit America and Crankstart join forces with a $15.6 million grant to uplift 2,000 Bay Area residents from low-wage jobs into upwardly mobile careers through technical training, career coaching, and job search support. This initiative is projected to drive over $200 million in cumulative wage gains across California—closing opportunity gaps and accelerating economic mobility for working adults.
Hear From Our Supporters
Through our partnership with Merit America, we are breaking down barriers and providing life-changing opportunities for the workforce.
Ann Canela
Director of Corporate Giving
Through one of Ascendium’s most significant philanthropic awards to date, we’re proud to help Merit America to reach sustainable, national scale and impact.
Carolyn Lee
Deputy Director – Education Grantmaking
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Join us in transforming lives!
Your support helps hardworking Americans achieve life-changing career success. Together, we can drive economic mobility and create a more equitable future.