Per Scholas North Carolina Receives $7 Million Grant from The Leon Levine Foundation to Expand Statewide Workforce Training

Charlotte, NC — April 23, 2026 — Per Scholas North Carolina today announced it has received a $7 million grant from The Leon Levine Foundation to support the expansion of its technology workforce training programs across North Carolina. This investment will help scale Per Scholas’ proven model to reach more learners statewide and strengthen pathways to economic mobility.

Distributed over five years, the grant will support Per Scholas North Carolina’s efforts to grow into a statewide workforce engine, expanding access to no-cost, employer-aligned training and connecting more individuals to in-demand careers in technology.

Through this support, Per Scholas North Carolina aims to:

• Increase training capacity to 1,000 learners annually by 2030
• Serve an additional 330 Career Accelerator participants each year
• Reach more than 3,000 learners over five years
• Drive an estimated $3.9 billion in lifetime earnings impact for graduates

“This grant from The Leon Levine Foundation represents an important step forward in expanding access to high-quality tech training across North Carolina,” said Mike Terrell, Managing Director of Per Scholas North Carolina. “With this support, we can reach more communities, strengthen our partnerships, and continue delivering the outcomes that help individuals build sustainable, long-term careers.”

The investment will support key growth initiatives, including expanded training infrastructure in Charlotte and the Research Triangle region, the development of satellite training sites, and increased access for rural learners through community-based partnerships. It will also advance program innovation, including new career pathways and enhanced work-based learning opportunities aligned with employer demand.

“This support allows us to thoughtfully scale our impact while maintaining the quality and outcomes that define Per Scholas,” said Caitlyn Brazill, Per Scholas President. “We’re focused on ensuring that more North Carolinians can access training that leads directly to meaningful employment and long-term economic mobility.”

Deborah Majewski, Program Director Human Services at The Leon Levine Foundation, added: “Per Scholas has demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding access to opportunity and helping individuals build pathways to self-sufficiency. This investment reflects our support for programs that equip people with the skills needed to succeed in today’s workforce and strengthen communities across North Carolina.”

Per Scholas North Carolina’s expansion aligns with statewide workforce priorities, including increasing access to industry-recognized credentials, strengthening employer partnerships, and extending opportunity to underserved communities across both urban and rural areas.

About Per Scholas
As Per Scholas celebrates 30 years of impact, we are charting an ambitious path forward—aiming to train and upskill 25,000 technologists annually by 2030, expanding access to high-growth tech careers and fostering economic mobility nationwide. Since 1995, we’ve offered no-cost tech training to more than 30,000 technologists in the most sought-after tech skills, generating over $35 billion in increased personal earnings. On average, our learners earn 3x their pre-training wage in their first role after Per Scholas. With 25 campuses and remote programs, we partner with employers—from Fortune 500 companies to startups—to create inclusive talent pipelines in fields like Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data Engineering, IT Support, and Software Engineering. More than half of our learners hold a high school diploma as their highest educational credential. We are building a future where successful careers in tech are accessible to everyone across urban, suburban, and rural communities, empowering individuals to unlock their potential and drive transformative economic change nationwide.

Learn more at PerScholas.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.

About The Leon Levine Foundation
About The Leon Levine Foundation: Established in 1980 by Leon Levine, founder and former chairman of Family Dollar Stores, Inc., The Leon Levine Foundation empowers underserved Carolinians to be self-sufficient and strengthens Jewish communities. Based in Charlotte, N.C., the Foundation creates impact through grants and investments across North and South Carolina, supporting both long-standing community partners and focused strategic initiatives. The Foundation is on a time-bound mission to strengthen children and families, build strong futures for hardworking adults, and cultivate vibrant Jewish communities. Guided by Mr. Levine’s vision, the Foundation’s philanthropy is anchored in four enduring areas of impact: education, healthcare, human services, and Jewish values.