Stanley Black & Decker Announces First Recipients of Empower Makers Global Impact Challenge

Stanley Black & Decker, the parent company of MTD and Excel Industries, has announced the recipients of its inaugural Empower Makers Global Impact Challenge grant program. The program awards up to $25 million in grant funding over five years to nonprofits that are supporting trade workforce development initiatives with the goal of skilling and reskilling up to 3 million makers.

Fifty-nine organizations have been selected to receive $3 million to enable vital trade skills training and reskilling programs in the construction and manufacturing sectors. The inaugural recipients include career development schools, community colleges, construction nonprofits and trade schools from around the globe committed to positively impacting trade professions. In addition, the company will be providing nearly $1 million in tool donations to another 27 organizations to outfit makerspaces and training facilities.

“Congratulations to this year’s Impact Challenge winners, who are each making a significant impact in helping to address the skills trade gap,” says Diane Cantello, Stanley Black & Decker’s vice president of social impact. “Our purpose is to support ‘Those Who Make the World,’ and being able to fund educational programs and non-profits that are revitalizing trade careers directly connects to our core mission. By helping provide a pathway for trade professionals, we are also setting our sights on constructing a better future that can uplift the hardworking tradespeople who build our world to meet the ever-changing needs of society.”

More than 240 total applications were evaluated based on number of people served, outcomes projected, sustainable impact, depth of programs and diversity, among many other considerations. This year’s recipients are anticipated to empower roughly 180,000 Makers through unique programming. Examples include:

• Workshops For Warriors Veteran program will teach skilled training for entry level welders or machinists;
• YWCA of Metro Chicago will lead a 12-week training course in carpentry;
• Region 14 Building Trades Program will teach pre-apprenticeship construction training programs; and
• Cornerstones of Care – Build Trybe will provide mentorship to under-resourced foster youth through vocational training.

Scroll down to view the complete list of recipients.

“Our Makers Grant recipients are inspiring – each application demonstrated a deep commitment from the organization to their communities,” says Cantello. “Being able to support these organizations as they implement new programs aimed at filling the trade skills gap will help support regional job creation, sustainable careers in the trades, and the advancement of these critical professions where there is a shortage of skilled workers.”

Stanley Black & Decker will continue to showcase and share the important work of the Makers Grant recipients online at EmpowerMakers.com as well as on Stanley Black & Decker’s social-media channels. The Empower Makers Global Impact Challenge will reopen for applications beginning October 1, 2022.

Inaugural Empower Makers Global Impact Challenge Grant Recipients
*Denotes Tool Grant Recipients.