ALIGNING OPPORTUNITIES BETWEEN STUDENTS, COMMUNITY, AND INDUSTRY

Manufacturing is undergoing rapid transformation driven by automation, digitalization, and evolving business models. While manufacturers are best positioned to identify emerging technologies and workforce needs within their own operations, many lack access to shared infrastructure, coordinated learning opportunities, and aligned partnerships needed to adopt and scale these changes effectively. As a result, progress is often fragmented, limiting the region’s ability to adapt and remain competitive in a changing economy.

 

The Don Wood Foundation partners with nonprofit organizations that work closely with manufacturers to advance technology adoption, workforce development, and cross-sector collaboration. Through this work, the Foundation aims to be a catalyst—supporting shared learning, coordination, and alignment across organizations to achieve outcomes no single entity could accomplish alone.

 

Are you leading a collaboration that helps manufacturers modernize and build future-ready talent?  

Please Contact Us.

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Susan Mendenhall
Vice President of Programs
smendenhall@donwoodfoundation.org

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Patrick Buesching

Vice President of Strategic Initiatives

pbuesching@donwoodfoundation.org

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Grant Opportunities

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The Empowering Manufacturing Grant Program supports initiatives that engage manufacturers as co-designers and system leaders, not just beneficiaries or advisors, working alongside nonprofit intermediaries to strengthen northeast Indiana’s manufacturing ecosystem. Grant funds may be used to advance one or more of the following objectives:

 

• Accelerate Next-Generation Technology Integration and Innovation
  Build regional capacity to identify, adopt, integrate, and scale emerging manufacturing technologies, practices, and business models through shared infrastructure, coordinated learning, and aligned investment.

• Strengthen Education–Industry Workforce Systems
  Advance industry-led partnerships that improve alignment, coordination, and shared accountability among manufacturers, educators, and workforce partners, resulting in durable, future-ready workforce systems.

• Foster Lifelong Learning for Manufacturing Workers
  Support collaborative approaches to continuous learning that support skill development, adaptability, and career advancement for emerging and incumbent manufacturing workers.

 

Please note that all funded activities must advance a recognized charitable purpose and produce a clear and demonstrable public benefit beyond the interests of any single employer. Supported initiatives may include workforce development and job training, advancement of science, technology, and innovation through shared and non-proprietary approaches, and industry–education partnerships that result in transferable skills or credentials for working learners.

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Empowering Manufacturing Grant Guidelines are Available HERE