Don Wood Foundation Awards $22,500 During National Manufacturing Week

The Don Wood Foundation, a private foundation in Fort Wayne that is dedicated to the advancement of manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and related education in the region, celebrated National Manufacturing Week, October 3-7, by providing surprise Flash Grants totaling $22,500 to area career and technical centers. Each organization was gifted an unrestricted $2,500 grant.

The Don Wood Foundation launched the Flash Grants funding program to recognize and support organizations focused on career education and training necessary to advance the region's workforce. Recipients included Area 31 Career Center, Heartland Career Center, Fort Wayne Career Academy, Warsaw Career Center, Elkhart Area Career Center, Pathways Wawasee Area Career and Technical Education Cooperative, Impact Institute, Area 18 CTE Cooperative, and Whitko Career Academy.

National Manufacturing Week is a week-long celebration that honors the contributions of the manufacturing sector and encourages students and adults to explore career paths within the industry.

"The career centers in our region are cultivating the exceptional talent that will become the workforce of the manufacturing sector," Laura Macknick, executive director of Don Wood Foundation, said. "Advanced manufacturing continues to play a significant role in driving our economy. Skilled workers are critical and that's why we chose to recognize National Manufacturing Week by celebrating the career centers and technical institutions. We're grateful for the work they do every day to educate and train students."

About the Don Wood Foundation
The Don Wood Foundation serves to align opportunities between students, community, and industry by growing and strengthening the manufacturing sector in the region. To learn more about the Don Wood Foundation, visit www.DonWoodFoundation.org.