Freeworld
152x ROI
This project is estimated to increase annual earnings by $46,000 per person, for a total additional lifetime earnings of $1,351,488 per person
Total lifetime earnings increase across all participants: $231,104,377
$375,000 invested
The Challenge
1 out of 3 American adults -- more than 70 million people -- have some type of criminal record, which for many bars them from earning a living wage. In fact, over 69% of people who have served time in prison are unable to secure a good job. Yet good jobs are there if the right training and support was in place.
One such job is truck driving, with the American Trucking Association claiming that an estimated 1.1M new drivers are needed (average $60k/year) in order to keep up with current economic demand. The lack of new drivers with a class A commercial driver’s license (CDL-A) is exacerbating the US’s supply chain crisis and driving up costs for consumers.
Our grant
GitLab's grant will enroll formerly incarcerated individuals in CDL-A classes, place them in stable trucking careers, and support the development of its data infrastructure to track impact over time. FreeWorld leverages its full-stack, automated, online solution to address most major roadblocks of the reentry experience. The organization provides students with online and in-person training for the CDL-A license, wrap-around support for up to three years post-program, and overarching policy advocacy that improves the re-entry experience. Additionally, FreeWorld will leverage its rich data to collaborate with state and local governments utilizing Workforce Innovation and Opportunity (WIOA) Act and other funding mechanisms, increasing impact and lowering the organization’s training and placement costs to scale the number of people served.
The Foundation is excited to learn and test how organizations leverage data and technology platforms to lower employment barriers faced by historically marginalized populations.
