The Lowe’s Foundation has selected 10 community-based nonprofits as Gable Grants recipients to enhance their innovative skilled trades training programs. These nonprofits expand the foundation’s roster of grant recipients to 24 organizations offering inclusive and scalable training programs in 25 states nationwide.
In Denver, The Master’s Apprentice — a 501(c)(3) non-profit pre-apprenticeship program that improves the lives of young adults by offering a bridge to a career in construction — received nearly $1 million from the Lowe’s Foundation, which will expand its tuition-free training program to recruit low-income students, and offer stipends and OSHA-certified training to help them begin apprenticeships that will lead to a career as a journeyman. The Master’s Apprentice also intends to acquire a larger facility to grow its capacity in the next two years.
The grants are the latest investment in the Lowe’s Foundation’s five-year, $50 million commitment to support the training of 50,000 people for skilled trades careers. Through these grants, students will strengthen their skills across carpentry and construction, HVAC, electrical, plumbing and appliance repair.
“The skilled trades industry offers fulfilling and lucrative opportunities that are in high demand, with over half a million additional tradespeople needed this year in construction alone,” said Janice Dupré, Lowe’s executive vice president of human resources and chair of the Lowe’s Foundation. “These community-based nonprofits have proven their ability to recruit and train a high volume and high quality of tradespeople for America’s workforce. They are providing an essential service because they are launching careers, not just jobs.”
Eligible community and technical colleges that offer skilled trades training can submit Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grant applications until March 31 at Lowes.com/Foundation. The next grant application cycle for community-based nonprofits is August 1-31, 2024.
