The Bloc Foundation

What The Bloc Foundation does

The BLOC Foundation is a New Jersey-based 501(c)-style nonprofit organization founded in 2022 by Natasha Davis and Natalie Prisock that delivers construction trades workforce training to underrepresented populations, specifically women, veterans, formerly incarcerated adults, and young adults of color. Its core product is a 12-week intensive construction training program (extended to 16 weeks through the NJCU partnership) that combines classroom instruction with hands-on skills training delivered by industry professionals and confers OSHA 30 and NCCER industry-recognized certifications. Adjacent offerings include Community Empowerment Initiatives supporting wealth-building and entrepreneurship, Affordable Housing Projects collaborating with developers on accessible housing, and Impact Measurement and Reporting for program accountability.

The organization is funded entirely by tax-deductible charitable contributions and grants rather than participant tuition; programs are delivered at no cost to trainees, and a tiered donation structure ($50 Tools of the Trade through $500 Supportive Foundation) channels individual giving. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on an Eligibility Questionnaire (Google Forms), email newsletter, social media presence, community partnerships, and word-of-mouth referrals within target communities. Distribution is direct on-site at the Elizabeth, NJ headquarters (277 North Broad Street) and via an institutional partnership with New Jersey City University (effective Fall 2025) that converts underused campus space into a training hub operating cohorts of 25-30 participants, with degree-credit pathways into NJCU and continuity preserved through the NJCU-Kean University merger in summer 2026.

Reported 2025 outcomes include an 85% graduation rate, 70% placement rate into building and construction trades with living wages and benefits, and over 100 program completions, with a forward target of 150-200 annual certifications through the NJCU channel. Wraparound services (childcare, transportation, paid stipends, career coaching) are positioned as the primary differentiator alongside industry-recognized certifications. Headcount is reported at 11-50 employees, the organization is founder-led with a dedicated Partnership Manager, and there is no indication of institutional equity ownership, venture financing, or public listing.

Name

The Bloc Foundation

Legal name

The BLOC Foundation

Website

https://theblocfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The BLOC Foundation is a New Jersey nonprofit founded in 2022 that delivers 12-16 week construction trades training, OSHA 30 and NCCER certifications, and wraparound support services to women, veterans, formerly incarcerated adults, and young adults of color in the Elizabeth, NJ region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Training

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

General Occupational Safety & OSHA Compliance (EDABAEAA), Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling (EDAAAOAE), Safety, Security & Facilities Onboarding (EHS, Physical Security) (EDABAOAI)

Keywords

• Workforce development training
• Construction trades certification
• Nonprofit community development
• OSHA safety certification
• Construction pre-apprenticeship

Headquarters

HQ city

Elizabeth

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals and organizations supporting workforce development programs. The foundation also receives grants for program operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The BLOC Foundation delivers a 12-week intensive construction trades training program that combines classroom instruction with hands-on training led by industry professionals. Participants earn OSHA 30 and NCCER industry-recognized certifications, receive paid stipends during training, and gain direct pathways to full-time employment in the building and construction trades. Wraparound support services including childcare, transportation, and career coaching address barriers to training completion.

Product overview

The BLOC Foundation is a nonprofit organization offering workforce development programs focused on construction trades training. The core offering is a 12-week Construction Training Program (also delivered as a 16-week program through the NJCU partnership) that provides hands-on training, OSHA 30 and NCCER certifications, financial stipends, and job placement services. Supporting programs include Community Empowerment Initiatives, Affordable Housing Projects, and Impact Measurement and Reporting. The organization prepares women, veterans, young adults of color, and formerly incarcerated adults for careers in the construction industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% graduation rate among participants completing the 16-week training program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• New Jersey City University (NJCU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Partnership to convert underused NJCU campus space into a workforce training hub offering 16-week construction training programs. Each cohort serves 25-30 participants with target of 150-200 certifications annually. Includes wraparound support (child care, stipends, job placement) and direct pathway into NJCU degree programs. Partnership effective Fall 2025, continuing after NJCU merges with Kean University in summer 2026.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Helmets to Hardhats: Nonprofit that places transitioning military veterans into registered construction apprenticeships—directly comparable in serving a BLOC-targeted segment (veterans) within the construction trades training market.
• Conservation Legacy (Conservation Corps programs): Operates workforce development corps programs serving young adults from underrepresented communities with hands-on training and certifications—comparable in cohort-based, paid-stipend training model.
• Year Up: National nonprofit providing workforce training and job placement for young adults from underserved communities—closely aligned with BLOC's target population, training-plus-placement model, and employer-partnership GTM motion.
• Per Scholas: Nonprofit providing tuition-free technology and trades training to underrepresented adults with employer-led placement—comparable in target population, no-cost model, and intensive cohort structure.
• Generation: Global nonprofit offering tuition-free workforce training programs with employer partnerships and wraparound support—comparable mission, certification-based curriculum, and job placement focus.
• Hope Builders: Nonprofit workforce development organization serving opportunity youth and other underrepresented populations with industry-recognized certifications and wraparound services—a structurally similar training-plus-support model.
• NPower: Nonprofit workforce training organization serving veterans and underrepresented young adults with wraparound services—comparable in target segments, no-cost training delivery, and employer placement model.

Others

• Building Trades Employers Association: Industry association representing unionized construction contractors and registered apprenticeship sponsors—an indirect enabler and potential employer partner for BLOC graduates entering apprenticeship pathways.

Regional players

• Workforce Development Board of Newark: Regional workforce development organization in New Jersey serving similar populations with construction and trades training—a local peer operating in BLOC's adjacent geography under WIOA funding.

Broad incumbents

• Job Corps: Federally funded residential workforce training program serving low-income young adults with construction and trades credentials—a larger, government-operated incumbent in the same training category.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/theblocfound
• Facebookfacebook.com/61583302595657
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-bloc-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/theblocfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 The Bloc Foundation