The Architectural Woodwork Institute Education Foundation (AWIEF) awarded $186,120 to 26 schools through its 2026 Grant Program, helping woodworking programs invest in equipment and technology to prepare students for careers in the industry.

The foundation says it received a record 40 applications from schools seeking funding. Recipients spanned the country, from Utah to North Carolina. Four schools also committed matching funds totaling $42,500 for equipment and technology, bringing the total investment to $228,620.

The program supports woodworking education at all levels, from middle schools and high schools to community colleges and universities. Schools can seek funding to launch programs, improve existing facilities, or acquire equipment and technology that strengthen workforce training.

Grant requests primarily covered equipment purchases, including shapers, routers, CNC machines, band saws, air compressors, and table saws.

“The work of the Foundation is to help develop the workforce for the woodwork industry,” said AWIEF chair Bruce Spitz, the 2018 Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) president. “We do this through grants to schools for start-up woodworking programs, improve safety and efficiency in existing programs, and assist in bringing state-of-the-art equipment to school programs.”

Increased demand

The 2026 awards continued a multiyear increase in demand for the program. Schools submitted nine applications in 2022, 11 in 2023, 18 in 2024, 35 in 2025, and 40 in 2026. Annual grant awards rose from $108,086 in 2022 to a record amount in 2026.

Since launching the program in 2018, AWIEF has awarded nearly $623,000 to schools to improve woodworking education and help students pursue careers in the industry, said AWI CEO Doug Hague.

The foundation’s funding comes from several sources. A $1 million donation from the Quality Certification Corporation in 2021 established long-term support for AWIEF’s education initiatives. The endowment enables the foundation to award Randolph Estabrook Scholarships to students and grants to schools each year for 20 years. Contributions from AWI members provide additional support for education and professional development.

AWIEF is now accepting applications for its 2027 Grant Program. Eligible schools can submit applications through March 31, 2027.

Details and submission forms can be found here.