The Industrial Commons Awarded Grant from Leon Levine Foundation
Jul 02, 2026 11:29AM ● By WNC Business
The Industrial Commons (TIC) in Morganton has been awarded a $200,000 grant from The Leon Levine Foundation through the Carolina Career-Connected Learning Challenge. Out of more than 130 applicants from across North and South Carolina, only 15 organizations were selected to receive funding.
This investment is a significant vote of confidence in TIC's Workforce Development field and will help the organization strengthen and expand its support for young people as they navigate education and employment. The funding will enhance employer partnerships, alumni advising, mentorship, and critical wraparound services like transportation and housing stability.
Often, the biggest barriers to employment exist outside the workplace. For one Work in Burke intern, getting the internship wasn't the biggest challenge—getting there was. Living in a rural part of Burke County without a vehicle or a driver's license, reliable transportation stood between them and a valuable work opportunity. Through individualized support, Work in Burke provided transportation to the internship while also helping the intern earn a driver's license. What began as a ride to work became a pathway to greater independence, expanded career opportunities, and a brighter future.
Beyond supporting local youth, this grant will also allow TIC to share and scale its model with communities across the Carolinas, helping more regions build career-connected learning systems that create lasting pathways to meaningful work.
Source: The Industrial Commons.
This investment is a significant vote of confidence in TIC's Workforce Development field and will help the organization strengthen and expand its support for young people as they navigate education and employment. The funding will enhance employer partnerships, alumni advising, mentorship, and critical wraparound services like transportation and housing stability.
Often, the biggest barriers to employment exist outside the workplace. For one Work in Burke intern, getting the internship wasn't the biggest challenge—getting there was. Living in a rural part of Burke County without a vehicle or a driver's license, reliable transportation stood between them and a valuable work opportunity. Through individualized support, Work in Burke provided transportation to the internship while also helping the intern earn a driver's license. What began as a ride to work became a pathway to greater independence, expanded career opportunities, and a brighter future.
Beyond supporting local youth, this grant will also allow TIC to share and scale its model with communities across the Carolinas, helping more regions build career-connected learning systems that create lasting pathways to meaningful work.
Source: The Industrial Commons.