The Collision Repair Education Foundation’s annual Ultimate Collision Education Makeover school grant application is due at the end of this month (May 29th). All high school and college collision school programs are encouraged to apply, and the winning schools will be announced during SEMA 2015. The Makeover grant program is in its seventh year and – new this year – the two annual Makeover grants will be in the names of Allstate and State Farm, honoring the companies for their continued support of the Collision Repair Education Foundation. More than $100,000 in additional cash prizes is available in addition to the main prizes.
“With less than a month before the deadline, I encourage all schools that have not started to consider applying,” said Director of Grant Programs Melissa Marscin. “The schools that apply will not only be eligible for the $200,000 in cash prizes we are offering, but the applicants will also receive first chance at any in-kind donation we receive. That could be anything from new uniforms to tape to larger equipment. Last year, each applicant school got an average of $7,500 in in-kind donations, and we hope to grow that even more this year.”
As part of the Makeover grant application, schools provide their own itemized wish list, which can include any tools, supplies and equipment that are needed by the collision program. The organization’s Board of Trustees Selection Committee will select the winners of the awards and determine what items off the wish lists each school will receive.
The goal of the Ultimate Collision Education Makeover grant is to honor a school that has been doing an outstanding job in educating students in collision repair, but needs some financial assistance to improve their program’s teaching materials and equipment. With strained school budgets, the Education Foundation and industry supporters have the opportunity to bridge the program’s financial gap and make a difference in the lives of the students studying collision repair.
The Ultimate Collision Education Makeover school grant application is available online and is due by Friday, May 29th. Industry members are encouraged to work with their local collision school programs to ensure they apply by the deadline. Industry members interested in getting involved with the Foundation and joining its efforts to support the future of the collision industry should contact Foundation Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at (847) 463-5244 or [email protected].
