Our commitment to helping train the next generation of proud trades pros.

The Lowe's Foundation is developing a community of skilled tradespeople to build and revitalize our homes, communities and infrastructure for the future. Since 2023, this national grant program is a $50 million commitment over five years that directly supports community and technical colleges and community-based nonprofit organizations to recruit, train and prepare 50,000 job-ready tradespeople to help fill the skilled trades gap.

Organizations applying for Gable Grants must qualify as a nonprofit organization or community and technical college in the United States as follows:

A. Community & Technical Colleges: 
A community or technical college that is a public institution of higher education as defined in Section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act, and at which the associate degree is primarily the highest degree awarded. Also accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association that has been recognized by the United States Department of Education over the course of the grant. Foundations that raise private funds on behalf of community and technical colleges are eligible to apply during this cycle.

B. Community-Based Nonprofit Organizations: 
A nonprofit organization with tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. For the purposes of the Gable Grants program, community-based organizations are direct training providers and operate in a state, regional, or local capacity.

C. National Nonprofit Organizations: 
National organizations typically operate with a national or international entity and deliver programming at a state, regional or local level through chapters, members, or other affiliated independent organizations.

Note: The application cycles for Community-Based Nonprofit and National Nonprofit organizations are by invitation only.

In addition, organizations must currently offer sustainable, scalable skilled trades education programs with an emphasis on facilities/property maintenance, carpentry / construction / masonry, electrical / emerging technologies, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and / or plumbing.

To expand participation in the skilled trades, the education programs must directly recruit, train and prepare individuals including, but not limited to, women, people of color, individuals living in rural areas, adults and opportunity youth (16 – 24 years old), and individuals who are justice-involved and / or participating in second chance programs.

The decision to award a grant is at the sole discretion of Lowe’s Foundation, and all decisions are final.

There is one annual application period based on organization type.

1. Community and technical colleges: March 1, 2025, at 12:00 a.m. EST through March 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

By invitation only:

1. Community-based nonprofit organizations: Aug. 1, 2025, at 12:00 a.m. EST through Aug. 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
2. National nonprofit organizations: Sept. 1, 2025, at 12:00 a.m. EST through Oct. 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST.

The Lowe’s Foundation reserves the right to make changes to the grant process and timeline.

All applications must be submitted through the Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grants online portal found on the Lowe’s Foundation website. Through the portal, you may create a new application, open an existing application, or collaborate with others. We recommend that you bookmark your page or copy the link to a safe place. If you clear your browser history, you will lose access to any applications you have in progress.

Email, fax transmissions and late applications will not be accepted. Lowe’s will review each application submitted. Applications that are incomplete or do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be considered for funding.

Yes, you are welcome to partner with us. When applying together, there must be a clear lead organization. The lead organization should apply with their corresponding cohort. For example, if the lead organization is a nonprofit, your application should apply to the nonprofit cohort.

No, Gable Grants directly support nonprofit organizations and community & technical colleges to recruit, train and connect future skilled tradespeople to the workforce. The grants fund adult and opportunity youth (16 – 24 years old) programs that focus on the 5 key trades areas that cultivate job-ready tradespeople. While we understand the importance of early exposure and awareness, Gable Grants are primarily focused on addressing the worker shortage by focusing on adult populations.

The grant period is 24 months. Your program or initiative must start the following semester, program term, or student enrollment period. All funds must be used during the 2-year grant period.

Grant awards are needs-based and range between $100,000 and $1,000,000.

Funds must be used for program-related expenses for sustainable, scalable skilled trades workforce development including instructors, program materials, new or remodeled training space, equipment, capacity building, etc. This may also include stipends for students and indirect costs. Grantees are required to measure impact and provide periodic reporting throughout the 2-year grant funding period.

Yes, grantees are eligible to reapply after their grant period is complete.

Yes, Gable Grant applications may be submitted annually and are limited to one application per organization type per application period. All nonprofit organizations must follow the invitation-only process.

Once your application has been submitted, you may not make any changes or revisions. You will see the following message displayed on your screen:
"Success! Thank you for your submission."

In addition, you may print or save (by clicking “print to PDF”) the read-only version of your application that is displayed below the message. It is recommended to save your application for your records, as it cannot be accessed by you through the system after this point.You will also receive an email confirmation of your application submission from “[email protected].” Please note - we recommend that you add this sender to your approved distribution list to ensure it does not end up in your junk mailbox.

All notifications will be sent via email to the primary contact information provided on the application.

All applications are thoroughly evaluated during a review process to ensure programs directly recruit, train, and prepare for the future skilled trades workforce. This includes increasing the skilled trades workforce talent pool by actively recruiting women, people of color, adult and opportunity youth (16 – 24 years old), individuals in rural areas and / or individuals who are justice involved and / or participating in second chance programs. See timeline above regarding key milestones and dates. All decisions to award or not award grants are made at the sole discretion of the Lowe’s Foundation and are final and not appealable.

A nonprofit organization with tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. For the purposes of the Gable Grants program, community-based organizations are direct training providers and operate in a state, regional, or local capacity.  

Note: The application cycle for community-based nonprofit organizations is by invitation only.

No, Gable Grants are focused on directly supporting 501(c)(3) organizations. Non-charities, including organizations recognized as 501(c)(4)s, (c)(5)s, (c)(6)s, and (c)(19)s, are not eligible at this time.

Gable Grants will fund programs focused on supporting workforce development in facilities / property maintenance, carpentry/construction/masonry, electrical / emerging technologies, heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) and/or plumbing. The grant application process is highly competitive and will prioritize an organization’s demonstrated ability to deliver skilled trades training.

Yes, follow your normal grant funding process based on your organization type. For example, community and technical college foundations, applying to fund college programming should apply during the community and technical college grant cohort.

No, Gable Grants are focused on directly supporting public institutions including community and technical colleges, in which the associate degree is the highest degree awarded.

Yes, Gable Grants aim to connect graduates with direct employment opportunities. This includes certificate programs, apprenticeships, and industry credentials.

For all program guidelines and information visit lowes.com/foundation. If you need additional support, please contact us directly at [email protected].