The Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) partnered with New Growth Group to support the development and implementation of the Department of Labor’s Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC 5) grant. Our engagement began during the grant-writing phase, providing strategic guidance to strengthen the application and position the program for long-term success. After the award was secured, New Growth Group transitioned into full post-award management support.

Our work included negotiating final award terms, supporting program launch, overseeing budgets, providing hands-on project management, developing policies and procedures, preparing for DOL monitoring, and managing all required federal reporting. This comprehensive approach ensured that the program remained compliant and operationally sound throughout implementation.

By managing the administrative, compliance, and reporting requirements, New Growth Group enabled FCEF to focus on its core mission: recruiting, training, and supporting the next generation of skilled flooring tradespeople.

• Successful launch and implementation of the WORC 5 grant in full compliance with Department of Labor requirements
• Strong financial and operational controls, supporting on-time and on-budget program delivery
• Increased organizational capacity to manage a complex federal workforce grant without overextending staff
• Clear policies, procedures, and reporting systems to support ongoing compliance and sustainability
• A scalable, mission-driven workforce development program serving rural communities and the flooring trades

The success of the WORC 5 partnership demonstrates that organizations of any size can effectively manage complex federal grants with the right support. New Growth Group provides end-to-end grant assistance—from opportunity identification and proposal development to post-award management—ensuring programs deliver results while meeting the highest standards of compliance.

Empowerment through Grant Management

Securing a federal grant is a major win. But the real test comes after the award—when organizations must move from notification to execution and delivery - while staying on schedule, on budget, and doing so in an environment where compliance is both key and confusing.

The Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) understood that challenge and knew they needed support for their small staff. They partnered with New Growth Group to bring the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC 5) grant to life. Together, we turned a significant federal investment into a sustainable, mission-driven workforce development program.

Our support started at the very beginning, providing strategic guidance during the WORC 5 grant-writing phase. After FCEF secured the award, we shifted into full post-award management—helping negotiate final terms, launch the program smoothly, and stay on track through implementation. We covered the full operational load, including budget oversight, hands-on project support, preparation for Department of Labor (DOL) monitoring, policy and procedure development, and rigorous federal reporting.

With our support on the compliance and paperwork side, this partnership allowed FCEF to stay focused on what matters most: recruiting and training the next generation of flooring tradespeople.

The success of WORC 5 proves that organizations of any size can successfully manage complex federal grants—with the right partner in place. Whether you’re identifying funding opportunities or already managing an active award, we can step in at any stage to ensure your program succeeds—and stays fully compliant.