SAN FRANCISCO —Civic Ventures, a think tank on boomers, work, and social purpose, in conjunction with MetLife Foundation, today announced that it is accepting applications for eight $25,000 Community College Encore Career grants, to support institutions developing innovative programs to prepare older adults for encore careers, positions that combine income and personal meaning with social impact. Applications may be submitted online at www.encore.org/colleges by April 24, 2009.

The new grants are a follow-up to ten grants that were provided in 2007 to community colleges around the country, aimed at creating programs that match the skills and interests of experienced adults with high-need careers that support the community, such as nursing, teaching, and social services. Summaries of the 2007 grant winners and lessons learned about their efforts can be found in the report: Pathways to Encore Careers: How 10 community colleges are preparing boomers for work in education, health care and social services.

This year, the program has been expanded to include “green” jobs, and aims to further support the role of community colleges as a primary pathway for encore jobs.

“At this time when economic realities, workforce needs, and the more personal drive for purpose combine to inspire boomers to revamp their skills for encore careers, community colleges are not just uniquely suited to tap this growing demographic, they’re absolutely vital,” explains Marc Freedman, CEO and founder of Civic Ventures and author of Encore: Finding Work that Matters in the Second Half of Life. “With the inclusion of green jobs this year, the project becomes even more timely.”

In 2008, MetLife Foundation and Civic Ventures released the Encore Career Survey of Americans between the ages of 44 and 70, which found that half of those surveyed have a strong interest in encore careers. Working with youth, preserving the environment and teaching topped the list of interests.

“These grants invest in innovation at our nation’s community colleges,” said Dennis White, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation. “The grants will provide colleges with the ability to offer meaningful training opportunities for older Americans looking to make a career change, and will also allow innovative programs to serve as models for other colleges looking to attract older adults to their campus.”

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About Civic Ventures
Civic Ventures is a think tank on boomers work and social purpose. 

About MetLife Foundation
MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 by MetLife to carry on its long-standing tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. The Foundation has been involved in a variety of aging-related initiatives addressing issues of caregiving, intergenerational activities, mental fitness, health and wellness programs and civic involvement. More information about the Foundation is available at www.metlife.org.