News Release

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Indiana’s Ivy Tech Community College was among 10 recipients nationwide of grant money from the Lowe’s Foundation, which is seeking to fund skilled trades training programs.

On July 27, the foundation announced nearly $8 million in Gable Grants to community and technical colleges across the U.S. to support skilled trades workforce development initiatives.

Ivy Tech Community College was awarded money to develop a short-term, non-credit heating, ventilation and air conditioning pilot training program for entry-level technicians and provide unique training opportunities for “justice-involved” individuals across seven campuses, according to a news release from the Lowe’s Foundation. Ivy Tech works closely with local employers and the communities it serves to tailor programs to meet local labor demands and ensure students have opportunities for lasting careers.

The grants are the first in a five-year, $50 million commitment to help prepare 50,000
people for skilled trades careers. The investment will fund programs in appliance
repair, carpentry, construction, electrical, HVAC and plumbing.

“These deserving schools are driving transformation in the skilled trades workforce through
sustainable and inclusive career pathways. We had many outstanding applicants for these
grants, which speaks to the urgency needed to increase the capacity for skilled trades labor
nationwide,” said Janice Dupré, Lowe’s executive vice president of human resources and chair of the Lowe’s Foundation.

“Our grants are inclusive of all groups to ensure we achieve the overall goal of preparing 50,000 people for skilled trades careers in five years, including groups that are traditionally  underrepresented in the trades, such as women, people of color, people in rural areas and individuals participating in second-chance programs. We are confident that these college programs will strengthen the skilled trades infrastructure for years to come,” Dupré added.

Other schools receiving grant money were Coconino County Community College, Arizona; Columbus Technical College, Georgia; Howard College — San Angelo, Texas; Madisonville Community College, Kentucky; Miami Dade College, Florida; MiraCosta College, California; Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Mississippi; Palm Beach State College, Florida; and Southside Virginia Community College, Virginia.

“The support for community and technical colleges provided by Gable Grants from the Lowe’s
Foundation will enable the expansion of the innovative, responsive and in-demand skilled trades
training offerings at the nation’s community colleges,” said Walter G. Bumphus, president and
chief executive officer, American Association of Community Colleges. “This unique program will empower community colleges to scale existing programs, upgrade technology and infrastructure, establish new initiatives and increase their impact as they strive to meet the needs of their communities.”

In addition to the grants, the Lowe’s Foundation will invest at least $5 million more to assist
community-based nonprofit organizations and national nonprofit partners with a strong local
presence. This puts the foundation on pace to invest more than $12 million in 2023 as part of its
$50 million, five-year commitment. Eligible community-based nonprofits that offer skilled trades training can submit Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grant applications between Aug. 1 and Sept. 1 at lowes.com/foundation.