Aug. 11, 2025 – Year Up United, one of the country’s leading workforce development organizations, announced today that it has received a $200,000 grant from the Related Philanthropic Foundation. The Foundation serves to advance the philanthropic vision of Jorge M. Pérez, Founding Executive Chairman of Related Group, to develop South Florida as an exemplary world-class urban center. This investment builds on previous support provided to Year Up United to boost economic mobility for young adults in the greater Miami region.
“Ten years into our Foundation’s journey, our mission remains true to the organization’s roots – open doors for those with talent, but limited access,” said Jorge M. Pérez, Founding Executive Chairman of Related Group. “Today, technical and workplace readiness skills are currency. Year Up United is giving young people the tools to compete and win, and we’re proud to be partners helping scale their impact right here in South Florida.”
The funding will support the growth of Year Up United’s Talent Networks, which enables local institutions, such as other training providers and community colleges, to leverage Year Up United’s career readiness solutions and connections to employment, as well as Career Pathways, its workforce training program.
“The Related Philanthropic Foundation has provided significant resources and advocacy for Year Up United, and their investments have already helped us launch the careers of nearly 500 young adults in South Florida,” said Susan Murray, Chief Revenue Officer at Year Up United. “With this grant, we will expand our work in tackling all sides of the Opportunity Divide — the divide that exists between corporate hiring demand and untapped talent. Closing this divide is at the heart of our mission, and the Foundations’ support will enable us to build on our success in collaborating with employers, community colleges, and others to prepare young adults for meaningful careers in various industries.”
Previous funding from the Related Philanthropic Foundation supported the development of Year Up United’s hybrid approach to workforce training, which has since evolved into its Career Pathways model. This model allows Year Up United to deliver all of its training tracks in any location with consistency and scale, and prepares young adults for modern workplaces that are tech-enabled, fast-changing and team-oriented. Through Career Pathways, Year Up United provides all its students with skills in AI literacy, communication, strategic thinking and adaptability — skills that are in the highest demand by employers according to LinkedIn’s Skills on the Rise 2025.
The Related Philanthropic Foundation has also provided support for Year Up United students to attend events at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and to enjoy first-time experiences at cultural venues, including private tours and leadership talks at the Pérez Art Museum Miami. In addition, they have partnered with Year Up United in elevating student, intern and alumni civic engagement through volunteer events; provided space for student training; and helped Year Up United expand its relationships with employers throughout the region.
Over the past 25 years, Year Up United has served more than 50,000 young adults — including more than 1,100 in South Florida — who need a path to opportunity when a four-year college degree is out of reach. The organization’s holistic approach goes beyond technical training and includes social and emotional support, in addition to its renowned workplace readiness preparation. Nationwide, 80 percent of Year Up United graduates are enrolled in higher education and/or employed within four months, earning average starting salaries of $53,000/year.
Year Up United is now focused on building a future where all young adults have a real opportunity to thrive, and in which skills-first employment practices are widely adopted. The organization is committed to reshaping the world of work to ensure it works for everyone, not just a select few, by leveraging its history of proven impact in connecting young people to real opportunities, building communities dedicated to transforming business, and driving sustainable solutions for lasting societal change.