Gene Haas Foundation Donates More Than $5.1 Million Nationally in 2014

OXNARD, Calif. - Dec. 5, 2014 - PRLog -- OXNARD, Calif. — The Gene Haas Foundation continued their 2014 giving on Giving Tuesday with a $500,000 distribution to Ventura County organizations, bringing local giving to more than $1 million and California donations to $1.9 million. Nationally, GHF donated more than $5.1 million to over 186 organizations with funds benefitting manufacturing-based education programs, scholarships, veterans and also community-based organizations.

The latest grant cycle includes $100,000 each to FOOD Share, Ventura County Rescue Mission and Ventura College Foundation; $50,000 each to Casa Pacifica and RAIN Transitional Living Center; $30,000 to Ventura County Rescue Mission, Lighthouse for Women & Children; $25,000 each to CAREGIVERS and Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Ventura County; and $20,000 to St. John’s Healthcare Foundation.

Notable nationwide grants include:

·         A $1.5 million grant in to build the Gene Haas Training Center, a 20,000-square-foot facility at Vincennes University’s Lebanon, Ind., campus. An additional $293,592 in scholarships was donated to the university to provide funding for military veterans and civilian adult learners.

·         $500,000 in scholarships to Workshop for Warriors, a San Diego-based nonprofit that provides free manufacturing training to veterans. To help them find advanced manufacturing careers, nine veterans will receive a stipend to offset their living expenses while they are completing the vocational program and certifications.

·         A $250,000 matching grant gift to Purdue University's M-STEM3 program for teachers to get the Edge Factor video content for use in the classroom and at school functions. The content focuses on STEM in the areas of motorsports, advanced manufacturing and medical manufacturing.

·         $230,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme to support STEM education programs, establish a new scholarship fund and provide general program support.

·         A $100,000 contribution to create a new program with the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) in Fairfax, Va. The GHF-NIMS Credentialing Scholarship Program will provide eligible secondary and post-secondary institutions with grants to build high-quality technical programs that provide students with industry-recognized credentials and foundational skills.

“Through our grants, we hope to fully prepare veterans and students for the workforce and reduce the manufacturing-skills gap that currently exists in the industry,” said Kathy Looman, foundation administrator. “We want to make not only a positive impact in our local community but also provide future manufacturers with the necessary resources, such as scholarships or advanced training and education programs, to ensure they obtain successful careers.”

About the Gene Haas Foundation

Founded by Gene Haas in 1999, the Gene Haas Foundation has awarded more than $22 million to deserving charities and educational institutions. The foundation was formed to fund the needs of the local community and to support manufacturing education. The foundation provides scholarship funds to community colleges and vocational schools for students entering technical training programs, especially machinist-based certificate and degree programs, as well as supports youth programs that inspire young people to consider manufacturing careers. Additionally, in 2014, the Gene Haas Foundation has leveraged over $1.5 million in grants for veterans training. For more information, visit www.ghaasfoundation.org.