Empowering Manufacturing
Strengthening Northeast Indiana’s
Manufacturing Competitiveness
Manufacturing is undergoing rapid transformation driven by automation, digitalization, and evolving business models. While individual employers are best positioned to recognize the emerging technologies and training opportunities that support their unique business needs, the Don Wood Foundation aims to support coordinated initiatives that empower employers to accelerate innovation, shape talent systems, and collaborate regionally.
The Don Wood Foundation awards grants to programs that build deeper connectivity with education and training partners - unlocking the talent and tools that prepare northeast Indiana manufacturers to lead on a global stage.
We are especially interested in initiatives that help manufacturers activate talent by:
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Accelerating Next-Gen technology, integration, and innovation by lowering barriers to adoption and accelerating shared learning across peer groups.
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Supporting the formation of industry-education partnerships to build sustainable, future-ready workforce systems, connecting talent pipelines with job opportunities, addressing skills gaps, and raising the profile of northeast Indiana as a hub for Next-Gen Manufacturing Talent.
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Fostering lifelong learning for emerging and incumbent workers through formal and informal training, professional development, peer learning, and mentorship programs.
When emerging and incumbent workers gain hands-on experience with advanced technologies, leadership skills, and entrepreneurial mindsets, they expand the limits of what they can achieve individually and collectively throughout their careers.
Grant Opportunities
New in 2026, 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:
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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.
When Are Applications Accepted?
If you are unsure whether your idea fits this program, or if you’re not ready to submit a proposal by the due dates listed above, please contact us.
For the 2026 program, Letters of Intent are due on or before Friday, May 22, 2026. Selected programs will be invited to submit a formal application by Friday, June 26, 2026.
Grant Guidelines
Please carefully review the grant guidelines to determine if your proposal aligns with the Don Wood Foundation’s grantmaking priorities. You can access the guidelines here.
Have an idea? Contact us!
We look forward to inviting our grant partners to submit proposals beginning in May 2026. In the meantime, we are pleased to meet with community partners to discuss the Don Wood Foundation’s strategic direction and explore potential support for future programs and projects.
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Manufacturers Council Members
Bob Baker-Trelleborg Sealing Solutions Americas
Staci Beiswanger - Steel Dynamics, Inc.
Brevin Bennett - Off The Glass Mike Connell - Cardinal Glass IG
Cary Davis - Color Master Incorporated
Scott Dinkins - The Ford Meter Box Company, Inc.
Joe Elkins - Adams Wells Manufacturing Alliance
Shawn Floyd - Univertical
Charles Geller - General Motors Marion Metal Center
Keith Gerber - Hoosier Pattern, Inc.
Josh Monesmith - Micropulse, Inc.
Cameron Nevins - Metal Technologies, Inc.
Greg Rekeweg - Almco Steel Products Corporation
Carey Schmucker - Aegis Sales & Engineering
Evan Speicher - Instrumental Machine & Development Inc.
Chris Straw - Team Quality Services
Evan Wood - Fort Wayne Metals
If you represent an economic development organization, workforce development organization, entrepreneurship support organization, or any other type of nonprofit organization that is strengthening technology adoption, talent development, and the systems that connect them, we’d like to learn more.
