A record number of 140 high school and college collision school programs from 33 states applied for the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s 2015 $50,000 Ultimate Collision Education makeover grant. The Education Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to securing donations that support philanthropic and collision repair education activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry, has a full listing of the makeover applicant schools online.

Through their participation with this grant, the Education Foundation will be focused on helping as many of these collision school programs by securing items on their itemized $50,000 collision wish lists. These applications will be reviewed by a committee made up of industry volunteers and the winners will be announced during the Education Foundation’s industry reception on Nov. 3 during SEMA. The Education Foundation will award a $50,000 makeover grant to one high school and one college collision program.

The grants are:

• 2015 Secondary Ultimate Collision Education Makeover Grant, made possible by Allstate Insurance
• 2015 Post-Secondary Ultimate Collision Education Makeover Grant, made possible by State Farm Insurance

The industry has the opportunity to help provide additional makeover school grants this fall by making tax-deductible donations to the Collision Repair Education Foundation. Brandon Eckenrode, Collision Repair Education Foundation director of development, noted, “For every 100 industry companies that each donate $500 to the Education Foundation this year, we could provide an additional $50,000 makeover school grant this fall and help a collision school program with needed tools, equipment and supplies.”

Melissa Marscin, Collision Repair Education Foundation director of grant programs, noted, “We are excited to see the record amount of collision school programs participating in the makeover grant this year and the industry should take note of the increasing amount of schools that are asking for assistance. In order for these programs to graduate qualified and skilled entry-level collision students that the industry is seeking, the industry needs to take an active role within the programs through the Collision Repair Education Foundation. The instructors that took the time to apply should be commended.”

Anyone interested in joining the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s efforts to support and assist high school and college collision school programs should contact Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode at 847-463-5245 or [email protected]. More information on donating can be found here.