Career Impact Bonds

Our Approach

Our current education and training system isn’t working. Employers are having trouble finding the skilled talent they need. And workers who don’t have the cash or credit are often locked out of the training opportunities that can help them succeed.

The Career Impact Bond is a holistic model for financing education and training to help unemployed and underemployed people participate in the modern economy. Learners access quality job training, receive supportive services such as living stipends and career coaching, and land in-demand jobs—often in less time, and for less money, than traditional degree programs.

The Career Impact Bond is designed to minimize risk for learners, who repay program costs only if they land and keep a job at a livable wage. Learn more in our Student Bill of Rights. Employers may also repay tuition costs as a retention mechanism for the graduates they hire.

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Social Finance launched the UP Fund in 2019 to deploy Career Impact Bonds across a range of industry sectors. This outcomes-based model can also leverage public sector and philanthropic support with Pay It Forward Funds and can support specific employer or industry needs with our Talent Finance solutions.

How It Works

 

Featured Work

See All Work

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The UP Fund

$50M

Invested in Career Impact Bonds across the country

We’re hoping many young people who currently can’t pay for college or aren’t able to access high-quality training programs will now have a very different idea of what’s possible for them—and that money will not be a barrier anymore.

Kelly Campbell

Managing Director, Portfolio Strategy and Management, Blue Meridian Partners

Kelly Campbell Headshot
The Career Impact Bond was really important—if that wasn't available, I wouldn't have been able to do the program. What was really heartening was the safety net. If this all goes wrong, I’m protected.

Devon

Consulting Engineer, Software Development, CDW; Alchemy Code Lab Career Impact Bond graduate

Devon, Alchemy Lab Participant
Things for me have changed a lot since I graduated. I have more time to spend with my daughter. I was able to move and finally purchase a home. I now have the work life balance I’ve always been striving for.

Dimitra

Junior Software Developer, Cornell Pump Company; Alchemy Code Lab Career Impact Bond graduate

Dimitra Headshot
I had an offer from a bus metro company … almost a week before I even got to Ohio. I hadn’t even gone through the training, I wasn’t certified yet, and they already wanted me. That was the moment I knew: this is the real deal.

Daniel

Preventative Maintenance Technician, Penske; American Diesel Career Impact Bond graduate

Daniel Headshot