New funding expands foundation's roster of
funded partners to 52 organizations offering scalable training
programs in dozens of states
MOORESVILLE, N.C., Feb. 27,
2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lowe's
Foundation today announced nearly $9
million in Gable Grants to strengthen 15 nonprofits on the
front lines of a growing skilled trades workforce movement. From
Alaska to Mississippi, each organization is helping
prepare new tradespeople as rising wages fuel more career
opportunities. Over the past 12 months in construction alone,
average hourly earnings have risen 4.4%, according to Associated
Builders and Contractors.
"We listen closely to contractors and know that many candidates
don't have the necessary skills to fill the wide range of open
trades positions," said Janice Dupré, Lowe's executive vice
president of human resources and chair of the Lowe's Foundation.
"Through modern training methods, these nonprofits are unlocking
the workforce's potential while building an economy that rewards
skills, not just titles or four-year degrees."
Since 2023, the Lowe's Foundation has awarded over
$34 million in Gable Grants to help
educate and advocate for the next generation of skilled
tradespeople. The grants support training programs focusing on
carpentry and construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and
appliance repair.
"We are grateful for the support of the Lowe's Foundation and
their Gable Grants that will help fund the training of the next
generation of skilled trade professionals," said Jim Tobin, CEO of the National Association of
Home Builders. "All of these deserving grant recipients play a
pivotal role in helping to strengthen the residential construction
workforce, and we stand in support of their efforts."
The new Lowe's Foundation Gable Grants support the following
community-based nonprofits:
Alaska Works (Anchorage,
Alaska) will expand its free, hands-on construction
training program in Anchorage,
Fairbanks and the Mat-Su region.
The expansion includes additional funds for carpentry, plumbing and
electrical training to include building maintenance and additional
support for participants.
Hope Renovations (Carrboro, North Carolina) plans to double its
number of skilled trades graduates by offering more cohorts at its
Raleigh and Durham locations. Its pre-apprenticeship
program empowers individuals to enter the construction industry
while offering critical home repairs for adults aging in place.
Latino Academy of Workforce
Development (Madison,
Wisconsin) will support various cohorts of students through
a bilingual skilled trades program featuring industry-recognized
safety certifications, blueprint reading, financial education and
more. For over a decade, the nonprofit has worked closely with
employers and regional workforce development boards to support over
10,000 individuals in south-central Wisconsin.
Moore Community House (Biloxi, Mississippi) will build on its
construction program with an electrical 101 course, specific to
residential construction. The nonprofit will also grow its
pre-apprenticeship course through modules that introduce masonry,
flooring, roof framing, HVAC and plumbing.
Next Step of West
Michigan (Grand Rapids,
Michigan) will equip its new training facility to continue
construction on dozens of tiny and small homes through a seven-week
training program. The nonprofit offers on-the-job training and
employment opportunities in construction, carpentry and wood
product manufacturing.
Nontraditional Employment for
Women (New York) plans to
recruit and train more than 300 individuals annually for building
and construction trades careers. The grant will also support
individualized employment plans, peer support and mentoring events
as the nonprofit expands its size and operations.
North Alabama Homebuilding Academy (Huntsville, Alabama) will reach hundreds of
new aspiring skilled trades students across Alabama through new satellite programs and a
16-session course. The course culminates with a job fair featuring
local employers who have immediate hiring needs and is supported by
the Huntsville Madison County Builders Association, a chapter of
the National Association of Home Builders.
SER Metro-Detroit Jobs for Progress (Detroit) will expand ReBuild Detroit, a free
eight-week apprenticeship readiness training program licensed by
the state of Michigan. The program
offers industry-recognized credentials, including OSHA 30, and
career pathways in the skilled trades through SER's extensive
network of employer partners.
Trade Institute of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh) will increase the capacity of its
10-week, tuition-free masonry and carpentry training program by 25%
while exploring expansion beyond Pittsburgh. The grant will also support new
instructors and case managers to help remove barriers to employment
through holistic services like life coaching and therapy.
Uncommon Construction (New
Orleans) will enhance its alumni Career Pathways program,
develop certification curriculum for adults and complete
renovations to its new training facility. The organization offers
on-the-job training to support safe and affordable housing in the
area.
Additionally, the Lowe's Foundation has awarded a Gable Grant to
Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) as a new national
nonprofit partner. BGCA will use its grant to enhance skilled
trades job readiness programs for young adults (ages 16-24) at
three pilot club locations in Hobe Sound,
Florida; Madison,
Wisconsin; and Seattle.
The foundation has also renewed partnerships with national
nonprofits Goodwill Industries International, Local Initiatives
Support Corporation (LISC), the National Center for Construction
Education and Research (NCCER) and SkillsUSA. These partnerships
will continue to support a variety of skilled trades training
programs, including wraparound services and targeted workforce
development in communities impacted by natural disasters.
The next Gable Grant application cycle for community and
technical colleges will run from March 1 to
March 31. To learn more about eligibility guidelines and the
pressing challenges facing the skilled trades,
visit Lowes.com/Foundation.
About The Lowe's Foundation
The Lowe's Foundation, an
independent 501(c)(3) organization founded by Lowe's Companies,
Inc. (NYSE: LOW), is helping develop a community of skilled
tradespeople to build and revitalize our homes, neighborhoods and
infrastructure for the future. From 2023 through 2028, the Lowe's
Foundation is investing $50 million to help prepare
50,000 people for skilled trades careers through grants to
community and technical colleges, community-based nonprofit
organizations and national nonprofit partners with a strong local
presence. To learn more about the Lowe's Foundation,
visit Lowes.com/Foundation and follow on
Instagram, X, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Media Contacts
Sebastian
Hale
Lowe's Foundation
Sebastian.hale@lowes.com
Click here for a Spanish version of the press release.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lowes-foundation-grows-skilled-trades-career-opportunities-through-nearly-9-million-in-gable-grants-to-community-based-and-national-nonprofits-302386863.html
SOURCE Lowe’s Foundation
