Grants
Support individual members and groups of SEIU Local 509 Public Sector state workers through grant funding.
The SEIU Local 509-Commonwealth Human Service Worker and Educator Grant Program
Have you found an amazing training that you need funding for? Do you need help finding the perfect training program for you or a group?
Learn more about our key offerings:
Enrich your skillset with an Individual Grant.
The Individual Grant program empowers workers to identify and pursue their own training and professional development interests. Funds are available to SEIU Local 509 Public Sector state workers allowing them to attend trainings or conferences, pay for exams and certifications, or access online training programming that fits into their schedule.
Apply today for an individual grant of up to $1,000 for training, career development, or professional costs.
New for 2026! Use your individual grant to purchase any training of your choice from PESI and gain access to our exclusive library of hours of high-quality training opportunities at no additional cost to you! Simply fill out the individual grant application with the information about the PESI program you would like to purchase. We will send you an invitation to join our PESI library where you can access recorded seminars, certification programs, and more!
You can use your individual grant for:
Conferences
Membership in professional associations
Workshops and trainings
Workforce development programs
Professional exam fees
Professional certification or licensure fees
Please note that Individual Grants cannot be used for travel expenses or degree programs. For funding support for degree programs, please visit our Scholarships page.
Our grant guidelines may be subject to change in future program years. The award of a grant does not guarantee future awards for similar applications. Please remember to check our guidelines or reach out to our team with any questions you might have.
Applying is Easy!
Individual Grants are disbursed through Reimbursement or Sponsorship and are provided for training and professional development expenses in the 2026 calendar year. Members are welcome to select either reimbursement or sponsorship and are encouraged to apply!
License and exam fees are excluded from the sponsorship process. License and exam fees are eligible for the reimbursement process.
Individual Grants cannot be used for travel expenses or degree programs. For funding support for degree programs, please visit our Scholarships page.
Reimbursement requests will be accepted for professional costs incurred retroactively to September 1, 2025.
Applications for a 2026 Individual Grant must be submitted by December 1, 2026. No applications will be accepted after that date.
Reimbursement
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Training Fund grant funds are for the exclusive use of members of SEIU Local 509 who are members of Commonwealth Bargaining Units 8 and 10.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that funds will be used to help them to, in the context their current or future role within the bargaining unit, develop their professional skills, expand their professional capacity, or improve the overall quality of services, and/or contribute to better outcomes, for the populations they serve.
The eligible cost must be originally incurred between September 1, 2025 and December 1, 2026.
Requests for reimbursement must include receipts and/or evidence of payment. Receipts are an acknowledgement that the vendor has been paid for providing goods or services. Receipts must show:
The name & address of the vendor providing the goods or services
The date that the specific services were received or items were purchased
Itemization of the services and/or goods and pricing
Final amount due and evidence that it was paid
In certain circumstances, if a receipt is not available, other evidence of payment, in a form acceptable to the director of the 509 Public Sector Training Fund, may be submitted.
A submitted application does not guarantee that the training will be funded.
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Individual grants are issued on a first-come first-served basis.
Workers can access up to $1,000.00 in individual grants.
Workers can submit multiple applications within a calendar year until they reach the $1,000.00 individual grant cap.
Reimbursements are retroactive to September 1, 2025 and available through December 1, 2026.
Program subject to available funding.
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You will receive notification about the status of your application within 45 days of receipt.
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The Training Fund will send you reimbursement through direct deposit completed through a secure online platform. The Fund will never ask for your banking information.
Sponsorship
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Training Fund grant funds are for the exclusive use of members of SEIU Local 509 who are members of Commonwealth Bargaining Units 8 and 10.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that funds will be used to help them to, in the context their current or future role within the bargaining unit, develop their professional skills, expand their professional capacity, or improve the overall quality of services, and/or contribute to better outcomes, for the populations they serve.
The eligible event must take place between March 20 and December 31, 2026.
A submitted application does not guarantee that the eligible cost will be funded.
All sponsorship requests will be paid directly to the identified vendor.
License and exam fees are excluded from the sponsorship process.
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Individual grants are issued on a first-come first-served basis.
Workers can access up to $1,000.00 in individual grants.
Workers can submit multiple applications within a calendar year until they reach the $1,000.00 individual grant cap.
Sponsorships are available through December 1, 2026.
Program subject to available funding.
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Submit your application and supporting documentation at least 60 days before the date of the event. If you are unable to attend, you will be responsible for the cost of the event.
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The Training Fund will complete your registration and submit payment directly to vendors for training events or conferences. Information about the event and proof of attendance or completion are required. If proof of attendance or completion is not submitted, you will be responsible for the cost of the training.
License and exam fees are excluded from the sponsorship process.
Need help getting started?
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Contact us today to get started!
Enrich your skillset with a Group Grant
Group grants allow workers and management to come together to identify training opportunities that would benefit their teams. It puts you and your colleagues in the driver’s seat to access training and professional development that is specific and targeted to your needs. All you need is an idea! The Training Fund will work with you and your colleagues to turn your idea into a meaningful collaborative learning experience.
All applications for a group grant must consist of a minimum of five (5) SEIU 509 Public Sector state workers. Applications will be approved based on available funds.
You can use your Group Grant for:
Conferences
Workshops and trainings
Workforce development programs
Applying is easy!
Complete an online application to send to the Training Fund by clicking the button below. We will reach out to you to plan our next steps.
Applications for a Group Grant are received on an on-going basis. All 2026 Group Grant applications must be submitted by September 30, 2026 to allow time for planning and implementation.
Group Grant Guidelines
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Training Fund grant funds are for the exclusive use of members of SEIU Local 509 who are members of Commonwealth Bargaining Units 8 & 10. In certain circumstances, with the express permission of Trustees, the Training Fund may allow other individuals or groups to participate in or benefit from Training Fund programming.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that funds will be used to assist workers in accessing resources that will help them to, in the context their current or future role within the bargaining unit, develop their professional skills, expand their professional capacity, or improve the overall quality of services, and/or contribute to better outcomes, for the populations they serve
Group grant applications must be for groups of 5 or more eligible members
Applications for 2025 Group Grants will close September 30, 2025. All projects must be completed before December 31, 2025.
All final applications are subject to Board of Trustee approval.
A submitted application does not guarantee that the training will be funded.
By submitting an application, the applicant agrees to participate in the Training Fund’s required program evaluation process. Training Fund staff will help facilitate and coordinate the evaluation process.
Applicants are requested to name the Training Fund as a sponsor of the training and provide links or information about Training Fund programming to participants.
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Identify an Application Lead to serve as the primary contact throughout the application and grant process. If the Application Lead is not an eligible bargaining unit member, please identify an eligible member of the bargaining unit to be the application sponsor.
The Application Lead submits the completed application to the Training Fund. Once an application is submitted, the Lead will receive a confirmation email. If a confirmation email is not received please contact us at info@509training.org.
For each grant application, a meeting will be scheduled with Training Fund Staff to gather more information about the application. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss and finalize the application request. This meeting is an essential part of the application process and should be attended by the Application Lead and any additional team members that will contribute to understanding the need. During the meeting the following items may be discussed:
(A) The training need identified in the application and the type of support the Training Fund will provide.
(B) Training cost and vendor selection factors, including market price evaluation, vendor experience, and credentialing.
(C) The requirement for communications and/or logistical support, and other relevant areas Training Fund staff may be able to support the successful implementation of the grant.
At the conclusion of each meeting, Training Fund staff and the applicants will have a clear, shared understanding of the application and implementation required and all of the relevant information needed in order to develop a training proposal on behalf of the applicant to be presented for final grant determination.
Group Grant proposals will be shared with the Training Fund Advisory Committee which will make recommendations for grant awards pending the final approval of the Board of Trustees.
Upon final approval of the application by the Board of Trustees, Training Fund staff will provide an electronic copy of the grant determination letter to the Lead Applicant. Training Fund Staff may schedule additional follow up meetings or share logistical information to assist with implementation of the project.
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All Group Training Grant applications should be submitted by the 15th of each month.
Please allow 4-6 weeks for the approval process.
Have Questions or need help getting started?
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Contact us today to get started!
In the past, Group Grants have been awarded for:
Self Defense Courses
Trauma & De-Escalation Techniques in Case Management
Roundtable Discussion Groups on Growth Mindset
Equity Minded Communication Practices
Online Learning
Conferences
And more!
