Minneapolis, MN, May 21, 2024— Kaleidoscope and The SkillPointe Foundation are excited to announce their new partnership. This enables donors passionate about vocational education and workforce training to establish their own Signature Scholarship Fund. Alternatively, they can contribute to The National SkillPointe Scholarship. 

Both organizations recognize the vital importance of supporting aspiring individuals pursuing high-demand careers not requiring a four-year degree. These at-scale vocational scholarships equip individuals with high-demand skills while building the skilled workforce desperately needed by America’s economy. 

Kaleidoscope, the leading Full-Cycle Scholarship Platform, will serve as the backend engine and support system for both The National SkillPointe Scholarship. It will also support any new Signature Scholarship Funds aimed at supporting the skilled workforce. The SkillPointe Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, will facilitate tax-deductible donations and oversee The National SkillPointe Scholarship. This scholarship welcomes contributions from anyone looking to invest in aspiring skilled workers and the trades.  

Among the 9.5 million job openings in the United States today, 70% do not require a 4-year degree.  This new partnership signifies a significant leap forward in filling those jobs and scaling up America’s skilled workforce. This is done in a profoundly impactful manner. 

Alvin Townley, Founding Executive Director of The SkillPointe Foundation, explained, “Previously, our ability to expand was hindered by the costs and manual workload involved in managing scholarships. This included reviewing applications, selecting recipients, and disbursing funds. Our partnership with Kaleidoscope now alleviates this burden. It enables us to offer an unlimited number of scholarships through our Foundation while keeping overhead costs low. This helps advance our overall mission to train more workers for high-demand careers.” 

“Our mission is to eliminate barriers preventing individuals from bettering their lives,” said Jason Von Bank, CEO of Kaleidoscope. “Approximately 80% of students who drop out of a two-year school dropout due to an unexpected expense of less than $1,000. By empowering organizations to create, manage, and distribute scholarships more efficiently, we are fulfilling our purpose of removing barriers to advancement.” 

To help aspiring skilled workers, individuals and organizations can establish a Signature Scholarship. This includes a white-glove service from Kaleidoscope featuring custom application criteria, unique branding, and the freedom to select scholarship recipients.  

Alternatively, donors can contribute to The National SkillPointe Scholarship. This supports the trades without the need for individual program management. This option allows for smaller donations, provides a tax write-off through a 501(c)(3) entity, and offers marketing recognition. Crucially, it contributes to the future of the skilled workforce in the U.S. 

“We are excited to partner with Kaleidoscope to increase our – and our donors’ – ability to fund aspiring skilled workers and close the skills gap,” remarked Alvin. “Their platform’s user-friendliness and their team’s expertise promise an exceptional experience for all involved.” 

This year, the SkillPointe Foundation will award more than $1 Million to fund aspiring workers seeking high-demand careers not requiring a four-year degree.  

About Kaleidoscope 

Kaleidoscope is a Full-Cycle Scholarship Platform (FSP) that gives organizations the tools and support they need to build and manage scholarship programs from start to finish, every year. Organizations partner with Kaleidoscope to build and manage scholarship applications, communicate with applicants and reviewers, complete a selection process, and manage disbursements. Learn more at mykaleidoscope.com

About The SkillPointe Foundation 

The SkillPointe Foundation partners with leading organizations like The Home Depot Foundation, ECMC Foundation, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to provide financial aid to individuals of all backgrounds. This aid is for those seeking skills training for high-demand careers not requiring a four-year degree.  Specifically, the SkillPointe Foundation works with partners to manage strategic scholarship programs. These programs increase opportunities for aspiring workers and build vital talent pipelines for American industry. In its first three years of operation, the Foundation has funded more than 1,000 scholarships nationwide. Learn more at skillpointefoundation.org

Inquiry Contact: 
Andie Ostrowski 
VP, Marketing, Kaleidoscope
andie.ostrowski@mykaleidoscope.com