PHILADELPHIA, PA—The Philadelphia Urban League is to receive a five-year, $1 million community investment commitment from the national Urban League organization. The funds will support job-training for youth and mature workers, college preparation, a jobs network, entrepreneurship support, small business financing and resources, and tax credits, among others. 

Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League – the nation's largest historic civil rights and urban advocacy organization – has recognized Philadelphia as a designated Jobs Rebuild America market, with a five year, $1 million community investment commitment from 2011-2016.

“As our nation continues to struggle with post-recession un- and under-employment, creating jobs and economically viable communities must be a collaborative, tripod effort between the government, corporate and nonprofit sectors,” says Morial.  “Our Jobs Rebuild America initiative is a leading example that public-private-nonprofit partnerships can drive job creation and the program innovation required to revitalize struggling communities.  It's time to shift from the debate about the problems of unemployed, underemployed, unsafe and under-resourced communities to comprehensively doing what is required to solve them, and our affiliates across the country, including The Philadelphia Urban League, are primed to do just that.”

“The Philadelphia Urban League is excited to be a grant recipient of this multi-year Jobs Rebuild America initiative,” says Rosalyn McPherson, president and CEO. “This considerable public and private investment is important for our community as we are committed to ensuring that our small business sector and youth are prepared to fully participate in Philadelphia's economy.  As we continually seek to better serve the needs of Philadelphians, we have created a 21st Century model of entrepreneurship support to reach hundreds of entrepreneurs who are creating jobs in our city, while providing key products and services to our community and beyond.”

The commitment is part of the National Urban League's historic “Jobs Rebuild America: Educate, Employ, Empower” initiative.  Jobs Rebuild America, a solutions-based, comprehensive approach to the nation's employment and education crisis, brings together federal government, business, and nonprofit resources to create economic opportunity in 50 communities nationwide through the Urban League affiliate network.  The National Urban League first unveiled the two-prong campaign in May 2013 in Cleveland, OH in partnership with the US Department of Labor, currently led by Secretary Tom Perez. 

The community investment component of Jobs Rebuild America is a $100 million, five-year multi-platform effort designed to reach job-seekers, vulnerable youth and entrepreneurs.  The initiative uses a comprehensive community development model that includes program offerings such as job-training for youth (18-24) and mature workers (55+), college preparation, a jobs network, entrepreneurship support, small business financing and resources, and tax credits, among others. 

This component also includes efforts specifically aimed at promoting and growing small businesses and entrepreneurship.  The Urban League Entrepreneurship Centers in 10 affiliate markets, including Philadelphia, empower entrepreneurs of color to take advantage of new business and financing opportunities, enabling high-level business growth via the provision of proper management skills.  The Entrepreneurship Centers provide more than 40,000 combined hours of business counseling and training services to approximately 12,000 clients yearly. 

As a designated Jobs Rebuild America market, The Philadelphia Urban League has received community investment competitive grants for three signature National Urban League programs – the Entrepreneurship Center, Project Ready and the Equity and Excellence Project (EEP).

The Philadelphia Urban League Entrepreneurship Center provides business consulting and training services to more than 600 small and minority businesses in the Philadelphia area annually.

The National Urban League has also made a grant commitment to the Philadelphia affiliate to advance its Project Ready efforts around academic, social and cultural support and opportunities designed to develop college or career “readiness” for 8th-12th grade students.

In addition, The Philadelphia Urban League receives resources for the Education and Excellence Project, which supports national and state advocacy, engagement and education reform efforts throughout the National Urban League affiliate movement and with partners in the Campaign for High School Equity.