CareerWork$

What CareerWork$ does

CareerWork$ is a Seattle-headquartered national 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006 by Les Biller (former Wells Fargo COO) and Sheri Biller through the Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation. It runs three free career-training programs — BankWork$ (8-week banking), MediWork$ (8-week non-clinical healthcare), and ReadyWork$ (3-week job readiness) — for individuals from under-resourced communities seeking stable, lasting careers. Programs are delivered through a network of 15+ community-based training partners (JVS SoCal, YWCA Seattle, Employ Milwaukee, Goodwill of Colorado, OIC of South Florida, Partner4Work, etc.) and, since 2024, through affiliation with the Washington Bankers Association; in-person cohorts feed into structured hiring fairs with 80+ bank employer partners including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, PNC, Key Bank, and UW Credit Union.

The technical footprint is intentionally lean: a WordPress website, a Learning Management System for the virtual BankWork$ Fundamentals class, and standard social channels (YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram). The core 'technology' is the proprietary, trademarked curriculum stack (BankWork$, MediWork$, ReadyWork$, BankWork$ Academy, ReadyWork$ Youth) refined over 18+ years, combined with standardized hiring-fair and career-navigator workflows that translate training completion into bank-employer placements (5,000+ alumni served cumulatively). Geographic footprint spans 14 cities across 8 states, with planned entries into the Washington D.C./Maryland/Virginia region (2025) and North Carolina (2026 via NCBA's new Learning Center).

CareerWork$ is a grant-funded nonprofit: revenue streams include the 2019 $4M five-year expansion partnership with Bank of America, U.S. Bank, and Wells Fargo, the Dec 2024 $750K FHLB Des Moines Member Impact Fund grant (with Wells Fargo as matching member), ongoing support from the Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation, corporate philanthropy, and individual donations raised through events. Programs are offered to participants at no cost (Freemium-equivalent pricing). GTM is community-led: referrals from workforce development boards, nonprofits, and schools feed the top of funnel, while bank employer partners anchor placement. Leadership comprises Sherry Cromett (President), Latoya Edmond (Executive Director, appointed Jan 2026), Ranko Fukuda (Managing Director), Kiana Scott (first-ever Director of Development), and a small (1-10) dedicated staff complemented by training-partner payroll.

Name

CareerWork$

Legal name

CareerWork$

Website

https://careerworks.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

CareerWork$ is a Seattle-based national 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free 8-week banking, non-clinical healthcare, and job-readiness training programs to individuals from under-resourced communities across 14 U.S. cities, matching graduates with 80+ bank employer partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development / Career Training Services

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Employment Agencies (7361)

akta.pro primary industry

Career Coaching, Mentoring & Placement Support Services (EDAAAKAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF), Workforce & Career Transition Noncredit Programs (EDAAAEAC)

Keywords

• Workforce development
• Career training programs
• Banking industry training
• Non-clinical healthcare training
• Job readiness training

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: CareerWork$ operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization primarily funded through grants from foundations and financial institutions. Major grants include $750,000 from FHLB Des Moines and Wells Fargo Member Impact Fund, and nearly $12 million distributed through the FHLB Des Moines Member Impact Fund program.
2. Donations and Philanthropy: The organization receives donations through partnerships with foundations including the Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation. Individual philanthropy efforts raised over $50,000 from a single fundraiser event.
3. Corporate Grants: Corporate partners such as Wells Fargo provide grant funding through matching programs. The FHLB Des Moines Member Impact Fund provides $3 for every $1 of eligible member grant donation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CareerWork$ is a national nonprofit that provides free, industry-specific career training programs to individuals from under-resourced communities, including an 8-week banking training (BankWork$), an 8-week non-clinical healthcare training (MediWork$), and a 3-week job readiness program (ReadyWork$). Programs combine technical skills, soft skills, mock interviews, and direct connections to employer hiring fairs, and are funded by grants, foundations, and corporate partners so participation is at no cost.

Product overview

CareerWork$ is a national nonprofit workforce development organization that operates multiple free career training programs. The core portfolio includes BankWork$ (eight-week banking industry training), MediWork$ (eight-week non-clinical healthcare training), and ReadyWork$ (three-week industry-agnostic job readiness). These programs are offered through partnerships with local workforce development organizations and provide participants with industry-specific skills, professional development, and direct connections to employer hiring events. CareerWork$ operates programs in 14 cities across 8 states, with virtual and in-person delivery options, and has helped launch more than 5,000 careers in banking and healthcare.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BankWork$ An eight-week free career training program preparing individuals for entry-level banking roles such as teller, customer service representative, relationship banker, and personal banker, including industry-specific skills, soft skills training, mock interviews, and direct connections to employer hiring fairs.
• BankWork$ Fundamentals A virtual version of the BankWork$ program offering the same eight-week banking curriculum online, making training accessible to job seekers nationwide regardless of location.
• BankWork$ Academy An advanced training component of the BankWork$ program focused on deeper banking industry knowledge and career advancement opportunities for graduates.
• MediWork$ An eight-week free training program connecting candidates with non-clinical healthcare roles such as customer service representative, patient service coordinator, family support specialist, and medical insurance biller.
• ReadyWork$ A free three-week industry-agnostic job readiness program providing community organizations with curricula for virtual or in-person training, focused on hard skills (resume writing, interview practice) and soft skills needed to land and keep a job.
• ReadyWork$ Youth A specialized version of the ReadyWork$ program designed for youth participants from under-resourced communities to build job readiness skills.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 5,000 careers launched in banking since 2006
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and growth.

• North Carolina Bankers Association (NCBA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2026NCBA opened a new Learning Center in Raleigh to host BankWork$ training programs. The partnership marks a significant investment in workforce development for North Carolina's banking industry, with the first BankWork$ cohort scheduled to begin in 2026.
• Washington Bankers Association (WBA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2024CareerWork$ reorganized to become an affiliate of the Washington Bankers Association, the largest trade association for banks in Washington state. The WBA first endorsed the BankWork$ program in 2015. Under this reorganization, CareerWork$ gains access to expanded partnerships through the WBA's network while maintaining program excellence and expanding nationally.
• JVS SoCalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOriginal BankWork$ partner since 2006 when the program started in Los Angeles with one class and 10 graduates. JVS SoCal continues to operate BankWork$ and CareerWork$ Medical programs in Southern California, training hundreds of graduates annually.
• YWCA Seattle | King | SnohomishcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKey training partner operating BankWork$ and CareerWork$ Ready programs in the Seattle area since the program's expansion to Washington state. The organization has trained thousands of graduates and was instrumental in the program's early growth.
• Employ MilwaukeecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal workforce development board serving Milwaukee County that operates BankWork$ and MediWork$ programs. Partner since 2018, connecting job seekers with careers in banking and healthcare in the Milwaukee area.
• A New LeafcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining partner operating BankWork$ programs in Phoenix, Arizona since 2016. A New Leaf has trained hundreds of graduates including those featured in success stories.
• Association House of ChicagocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining partner in Chicago operating BankWork$ programs. Has trained multiple graduates who have gone on to successful careers at JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and other financial institutions.
• Career Path ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining partner operating BankWork$ programs in South Puget Sound region. Delivers in-person training with guest speakers from local banks like Olympia Federal Savings.
• Partner4WorkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorkforce development organization in Pittsburgh that launched BankWork$ Pittsburgh in 2019 in collaboration with the PA Bankers Association. Steward of more than $21 million in public and private workforce funds.
• Pennsylvania Bankers AssociationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Partner4Work to launch BankWork$ Pittsburgh. The association has been bringing banks and bankers together for more than 120 years and supports program expansion in Pennsylvania.
• Bank of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor employer partner and founding supporter of the BankWork$ national expansion (2019). Has hired hundreds of BankWork$ graduates across multiple markets. Part of the $4 million five-year national expansion partnership.
• Goodwill of ColoradocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining partner operating BankWork$ program in Denver, Colorado. Graduated first cohort including Dynasty Grant, first recipient of the Marc Hill Rising Star Award.
• OIC of South FloridagrowthChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew training partner launching BankWork$ program in South Florida region in 2023, expanding the program's geographic reach to a new market.
• Energy Innovation CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTraining facility in Pittsburgh's Hill District hosting BankWork$ Pittsburgh programs since 2019. Provides space for the 8-week training program and facilitates community recruitment.
• Partner4WorkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWorkforce development organization operating BankWork$ at Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh with support from Citizens Bank, PNC, Bank of America, Northwest Bank, First Commonwealth Bank, Dollar Bank, Huntington Bank, S&T, and the John T. and Margaret S. McCartan Charitable Fund.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Per Scholas: Per Scholas provides free technology training and career pathways for individuals from under-resourced communities, with strong employer partnerships for placement. Its model of free, employer-driven workforce training for entry-level positions closely mirrors CareerWork$'s BankWork$ and MediWork$ program structure.
• Year Up: Year Up is a national workforce development nonprofit that provides free, short-duration training and job placement for young adults from under-resourced communities. It shares CareerWork$'s core model of tuition-free training, employer partnerships, and integration of professional/soft-skills curricula with direct hiring pathways.
• Project QUEST: Project QUEST is a San Antonio-based nonprofit offering free occupational skills training and support services in healthcare, IT, and skilled trades for low-income adults. Its tuition-free, employer-aligned training model with wraparound support parallels CareerWork$'s BankWork$ and MediWork$ structure.
• Generation: Generation is a global nonprofit offering free, short-duration, employer-validated training programs across multiple industries (IT, healthcare, customer service, skilled trades), placing graduates directly into jobs. Its multi-vertical curriculum-and-placement model closely aligns with CareerWork$'s three-program (banking, healthcare, readiness) portfolio.
• NPower: NPower delivers free IT and cybersecurity training to young adults and veterans from under-resourced communities, combining technical skills development with employer connections. Its tuition-free, industry-aligned training model with placement support parallels CareerWork$'s industry-vertical approach.
• Pursuit: Pursuit is a New York-based nonprofit providing free, intensive tech and professional-skills training with employer placement for adults from low-income backgrounds. Its tuition-free training-to-placement model and target population closely mirror CareerWork$'s approach.

Broad incumbents

• Goodwill Industries International: Goodwill operates the largest U.S. nonprofit workforce development network, delivering training and placement across many sectors including retail, hospitality, financial services, and healthcare. It is a broader incumbent that overlaps with CareerWork$ in providing employer-aligned training to under-resourced populations but at much larger national scale.
• Jobs for the Future: Jobs for the Future is a national nonprofit that drives workforce and education-system transformation through research, policy, and program incubation. While not a direct operational peer, it works in the same workforce-readiness space as CareerWork$ and influences funder priorities and program design across the sector.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CareerWorksOrg
• Facebookfacebook.com/CareerWorksTraining
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/careerworks
• Instagraminstagram.com/careerworksorg
• Xx.com/CareerWorksOrg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CareerWork$