National Urban League: A national model for workforce advancement

Our programs

The National Urban League works to provide economic empowerment, educational opportunities, and the guarantee of civil rights for the underserved in America.

How the National Urban League works to strengthen the small business ecosystem

  • Traditional workforce development programs often focus solely on connecting unemployed individuals to job openings — but that’s only part of the equation. For those in low-wage jobs, advancing their careers requires more: access to skill-based training, services to help eliminate barriers to career advancement, career navigation, and ongoing support.
  • Founded in 1910 and headquartered in New York City, the National Urban League (NUL) partners with local affiliates across the country to improve economic outcomes for underserved communities. With 93 affiliates serving 300 communities in 37 states and the District of Columbia, NUL provides direct services that impact more than two million people each year.
  • Through public-private partnerships, program development, public policy research, and advocacy, NUL is helping more Americans — especially those in low-wage roles — find not just jobs, but long-term opportunity.

Program overview

Our work together

In partnership with Mastercard Strive USA, NUL is creating new tools and training for its national network of affiliates to help more workers move up the career ladder. This includes:

  • A revised training curriculum that offers accessible upskilling opportunities for low-wage workers
  • New technical assistance series for local affiliates focused on using data, designing career pathways, and supporting job retention
  • A national webinar series to equip Urban League workforce teams — including career counselors and business developers — with the tools to support career advancement and employer engagement
  • Evaluation of career planning tools to ensure they meet the unique needs of incumbent workers across the Urban League network

This collaboration is designed to be scalable, cost-effective, and centered on the real-world challenges facing working Americans.

By the numbers

By the end of 2025, NUL had:

  • Served over 1,200 clients
  • Supported or saved 638 jobs
  • Helped 32 clients secure a total of $2.2 million in loans
  • Helped 23 clients secure $2.9 million in contracts

“This grant has enabled the National Urban League to further its goal of providing access to jobs with living wages and benefits for every American, particularly those who have historically been under-resourced. ”

Marc H. Morial

President and CEO , National Urban League

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