Lowe's Foundation lends a ($9 million) hand
The Lowe's Foundation 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.
"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."
Over the past 12 months in construction alone, average hourly earnings have risen 4.4%, according to Associated Builders and Contractors.
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.
The recnent Gable Grants recipients are:
Nontraditional Employment for Women (New York)
North Alabama Homebuilding Academy (Huntsville, Alabama)
SER Metro-Detroit Jobs for Progress (Detroit)
Trade Institute of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh)
Uncommon Construction (New Orleans)
Latino Academy of Workforce Development (Madison, Wisconsin)
Moore Community House (Biloxi, Mississippi)
Next Step of West Michigan (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Alaska Works (Anchorage, Alaska)
Hope Renovations (Carrboro, North Carolina)
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.