IECF Fundraiser at 2025 Business Summit | | |
Join us for an unforgettable Murder Mystery Dinner — an evening of suspense, great food, and fun while supporting our cause!
Tables of 8 may be reserved at no extra cost when purchased together.
| | It's Grant & Scholarship Season! | | |
2026 Grant & Scholarship Dates
IEC Foundation Scholarship Application Period
Monday, January 5, 2026, to Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 5:00 pm EST. References from employers and IEC Chapters will be accepted through Friday, February 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST.
IEC Foundation Equipment Grant
Tuesday, February 17, 2026, to Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST
IEC Foundation The Home Depot Pro Xtra & Chapter Development Grants
Tuesday, March 10, 2026, to Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST
For all grant and scholarship applications and more information about IECF grants and programs, visit our new website: www.iec-foundation.org
Don't miss these opportunities to support your education & career!
| | The 2024-2025 Home Depot Pro Xtra & Pro Xtra Chapter Development Grants in Action | | All 2024-2025 Pro Xtra & Pro Xtra Chapter Development Grant Reports are due no later than December 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM EST | | 2024-2025 IEC Foundation Equipment Grant In Action | | "Our first-year apprentices got hands-on with Milwaukee tools they didn’t even know existed! Thanks to Josh Earley and the Milwaukee Tool equipment grant, Power Tool 101 gave them the thrill of discovery and quickly became the highlight of orientation. For our newest apprentices, excitement for the trade has never been higher!" - Michelle Rupanovic, Assistant Director of IEC Northern Ohio. | Thank you to all of our Equipment Grant Sponsors! | | IECF Scholarship Student Spotlight | | |
Meet Nicholas Whisonant, a 2nd-year apprentice at Greater Charlotte IEC!
Why he chose IEC:
“I chose IEC because they were offering training in electrical work, and I’ve always been interested in electricity.”
Favorite part of the program:
“My favorite part of the program is having the ability to not only learn from a book but also do hands-on labs and activities that relate to what I’m working on at the job site. It helps me do my job better and more efficiently.”
Future goals:
“My future goals are to be a great electrician and also to teach others—just like my father has taught me. He’s been an electrician for 40 years, and I thank him and many others for putting me on the right path and teaching me how to excel in my job and set up a better future.”
Advice for future apprentices:
“Being an electrician is such a great opportunity, and you’ll never run out of work in this industry. As long as you put the work in, people are always willing to help you succeed.”
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Meet Esteban Serna, a third-year apprentice at Southern New Mexico IEC!
Why he chose IEC:
"The only program in Southern New Mexico that has an apprenticeship, and I wanted to learn how to be an electrician. I did research on where to start, and IEC was available—I’d say it was well worth it."
Favorite part of the program:
"I like the labs and learning how and why things work the way they do. Learning the theory behind it, and then getting to apply those skills in the field, is really valuable."
Future goals:
"To get my license and eventually open my own electrical company."
Advice for future apprentices:
"You get out what you put in. With a good attitude and mindset, you’ll get the most out of the program and enjoy being there."
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Meet Sergii Beschastnyi, a second-year apprentice at IEC Rocky Mountain!
Why he chose IEC:
"My school has very good reviews and experienced teachers."
Favorite part of the program:
"I like to think logically and solve electrical problems. They are mostly based on Ohm's Law."
Future goals:
"Complete my studies and get my electrician license."
Advice for future apprentices:
"Spend more time on your homework and try to complete the assignments perfectly."
| | IEC Northern Ohio Food Drive | | IEC Northern Ohio is collecting donations for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, which partners with over 240 organizations to serve six counties in their region. Their goal is to donate 500 meals. The apprentices will be competing to see which year can collect the highest ratio of donations to student, to win a prize. To maximize impact, if you or anyone you know is interested in donating or matching donations, please contact Shauna. Her email address is shauna@iecnorthernohio.org. You can send food items to their chapter at this address: 5061 W 161st St, Brook Park, OH 44142. The drive will run Monday, November 3rd, through Friday, December 5th. | | 2025 IEC Foundation Partner Gene Mini Community Service Project | |
At SPARK 2025, the IEC Foundation continued its tradition of giving back through the Gene Mini Community Service Project, honoring the legacy of founding member Gene Mini.
This year, volunteers partnered with The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix—an organization providing food, shelter, medical care, and essential services to families in need. IEC Foundation board members, chapter leaders, and industry partners, including K2 Electric, Graybar, and Schneider Electric, packed lunches and food boxes to support St. Vincent de Paul's community programs. K2 Electric also led a pre-event food drive, donating 602 canned goods.
You can view the IECF's article in the November/December issue of IEC Insights here:
Powering Communities: The Gene Mini IEC Foundation Service Project Shines at SPARK 2025 - IECI
| | Thank you all very much! Your generosity is making a real impact in our community! | | The IECF National Student Challenge | | |
The Powering the Future Student Challenge, presented by the IEC Foundation in partnership with Generac, is an exciting program aimed at sparking interest in electrical careers, skilled trades, and STEM education.
This nationwide challenge engages students with our IEC Chapters through two age-based segments:
· K–8 Segment: Features interactive activities focused on essential electrical concepts, energy conservation, and real-world problem-solving.
· 9–12 Segment: Invites high school students to create energy-based solutions or address electrical safety challenges through technical projects.
Through hands-on learning, classroom STEM kits, and real-time interaction with IEC industry professionals, students explore the power and potential of careers in the electrical industry while developing foundational skills in science and engineering.
| | IECF Grant & Scholarship Awards/Recognition Event Program | |
The IEC Foundation is proud to support IEC Chapters nationwide through its Grant & Scholarship Awards/Recognition Event Program, an initiative that celebrates the achievements of scholarship recipients and highlights the impact of Foundation-funded grants.
Each participating chapter may apply for an $800 award to help host a recognition event in their local community. These events bring together scholarship recipients and their families, chapter leaders, donors, sponsors, and local officials for an inspiring program that recognizes student accomplishments and the continued growth of IEC training programs. IECF also partners with industry sponsors to provide swag, gifts, and optional framed certificates for awardees.
Following each event, the IEC Foundation shares photos, highlights, and sponsor acknowledgments across its communication channels, spotlighting the students and chapters advancing the electrical industry.
Chapters interested in participating can apply by emailing info@iec-foundation.org
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"We so much appreciate everything the IEC Foundation has done for the apprentices at IEC in Central Ohio over the years.
Recently, twenty-four exceptional apprentices of IEC Central Ohio were awarded scholarships for 2025, thanks to the generous support of the IEC Foundation and sponsors Graybar, ATP, Eaton, Wesco, BILT, Southwire, Schneider Electric, Dark Rhino, and Milwaukee Tool.
These scholarship recipients, their families, employers, and instructors gathered to celebrate these awards, alongside LaNa Al-Amin, Executive Director of The IEC Foundation, members of the IEC Central Ohio Board of Directors, and sponsor representatives. The event was filled with excitement and pride as everyone came together to recognize these hardworking apprentices who will shape the future of the electrical industry.
We’re so grateful to everyone who made the scholarships and the celebration possible. It was heartwarming to gather with the recipients and the others. The energy in the room was high as we honored the hard work and bright futures of these rising stars in the electrical industry.
The word is out that the scholarship will reopen again in January 2026, and apprentices are gearing up to apply, as many have been doing since 2020. They appreciate the opportunity.
Thanks so much, IEC Foundation, for supporting the apprentices and the IEC Training Programs in Central Ohio for over 20 years! Thank you!"- Barb Tipton, Executive Director of IEC Central Ohio.
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Your support this Giving Tuesday enables the IEC Foundation to provide essential tools, training, and scholarships that strengthen the next generation of electricians.
This contribution is more than a donation—it’s an investment in tomorrow’s workforce. Join the movement and give back for Giving Tuesday, December 2, 2025.
| | How to Register for the Home Depot Pro Xtra Program | | The IECF would like to thank The Home Depot for your continued support! | | The Independent Electrical Contractors Foundation hopes you all have a fun and safe holiday season! | | |
LaNa Al-Amin, MSOL Executive Director
Phone: (703) 997-9999
Fax: (703) 996-4529
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