Merit America supports unemployed adults, and those earning low wages, into higher salary roles in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, HR, and supply chain. The programme provides flexible pathways for those without college degrees, which combine training for in-demand careers with coaching and peer support, both in person and online. To recruit the participants who can benefit most from the programme, Merit partners with a range of organisations serving low-income communities. At the other end of the chain, Merit connects with businesses with vacancies and skills shortages to place its participants into well-paid employment opportunities.

The Hg Foundation’s grant running between 2021 and 2024 supported the data, analytics and evaluation capacity of Merit America, as well as contributing to its learner platforms. The grant helped Merit to understand and refine its impact (including an independent evaluation by Ben Castleman at the University of Virginia); to make its case to other funding and employer partners; and to underpin the growth and effectiveness of the organisation.  As of 2025, Merit America had served over 20,000 learners, resulting in estimated wage gains of $1.4bn.