The 2025 Truist Foundation Inspire Awards

Relive the 2025 Inspire Awards highlights in our recap video, featuring innovative changemakers like this year’s winner, FreeWorld! Watch as we celebrate bold ideas driving brighter futures.

Transcript

[00:00] Speaker: We are thrilled to be here live in Uptown Charlotte in the beautiful Carolina Theatre.

[00:04] Speaker: ...and we really believe that jobs and building career pathways are the foundation to economic mobility.

[00:09] Speaker: This is exactly what we thought about. This is our... our North Star. I mean, our purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities is what guides us every day. And the Truist Foundation—I mean Lynette, what your team is leading is so amazing.

[00:19] Speaker: Okay... FreeWorld! Jason Wang!

[00:23] Speaker: It took a second for it to sink in.

[00:26] Speaker: Truly. And keep doing it. Keep it up. [00:28] Speaker: Our second place grant recipient is... Encore Employment Enterprise!

[00:32] Speaker: Thank you. Thank you so much. This means that seniors are being heard. People are listening.

[00:37] Speaker: Is someone we’re going to bring back to the stage... FreeWorld!

[00:41] Speaker: The opportunity to be able to provide legitimate second chances to even more—what we call "Free Agents"—is just extraordinarily humbling.

Big Ideas. Big Impact.

Each finalist was selected for their inspiring vision to advance workers through career navigation and workforce development. Their nonprofits have the potential to be revolutionary for workers around the country, creating the opportunity for new generations of people and communities to thrive. We’re so excited for you to meet them—we’re sure it won’t be the last you hear from them.

Focus on career navigation opportunities

The following organizations have been selected as finalists for their innovative career development solutions:

Lifecycle Building Center (Breaking Barriers Through Deconstruction) – A training program that equips adults in low-income communities with skills in building material recovery (deconstruction) and the reuse of these materials via home repairs and energy efficient improvements.
FreeWorld (FreeWorld) – A tech-enabled solution that reskills and places formerly incarcerated citizens into the trucking industry.
The Masonry Foundation (ReCastED) – A mentorship-driven model that offers tradespeople a flexible pathway to Career and Technical Education (CTE) teaching positions to bridge industry gaps.
Integrity Transformation Community Development Corporation (Safety Net Tool for Economic Mobility) – A digital platform, BestFit, that serves as a one-stop-shop for organizations looking to assist adult learners with managing basic needs insecurity and nonacademic barriers.
Encore Employment Enterprise (Seniors R The Answer) – A call-center training program, tailored for older adults seeking employment and supported by wraparound services.
Electrical Training Alliance Veterans Electrical Entry Program (VEEP) – A pre-apprenticeship program for military personnel who want to reenter the civilian workforce in the rewarding, high-demand electrical trade.

Building a program of opportunity

The six finalists will take part in a six-month wraparound support and development program to help transform their groundbreaking ideas into tangible solutions. The program includes:

A comprehensive needs assessment to determine what resources and support will most likely accelerate impact,
Access to a network of resource partners, mentors, and coaches across industries and sectors,
Learning and development modules aimed at refining the business model, theory of change, and plans for scaling,
A peer-to-peer network to build a community with dedicated spaces to convene during the support program,
A two-day Truist Leadership Institute retreat,
Workshops focused on helping finalists prepare for the presentation and awards event, and
An invitation to participate in the annual flagship Solve at MIT event, held in May each year.

The celebration of success

Following the completion of the program, each of the finalists will present their unique solutions to Truist Foundation. During an exciting one-night-only event, finalists will have the opportunity to share their innovative idea with the community—and a live audience where we will announce the grant recipients.

Here are the grants for this challenge:

First place: $250,000
Second place: $150,000
Runners-up: $25,000
Audience favorite: $75,000

Here’s a look at the timeline:

September 23, 2024: Challenge opens
January 8, 2025: Deadline for applicants to submit a solution
March 3 - 7, 2025: Semifinalists announced
March 26 & 27, 2025: Semifinalists invited for interview session with Truist Foundation and advisory council members
April 7 2025: Finalists announced
May 2025 - November 2025: Finalist support program
October 23, 2025: Finalists invited for interview session with Truist Foundation and advisory council members
November 12, 2025: Pitch event for finalists and winner announcement.