October 2025

2026 IEC Foundation 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 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: www.iec-foundation.org

IECF Murder Mystery Dinner at the 2026 IEC Business Summit

Registration & sponsorships are now open for The IECF Murder Mystery Dinner at the 2026 IEC Business Summit!

Join us for a night of intrigue, connection, and support for the Independent Electrical Contractors Foundation’s mission.

What to Expect:

A thrilling, interactive experience

Gift bags & clue money

Networking with industry leaders

Limited tickets will be available. Get your tickets before this event sells out!

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable evening while supporting apprentices, students, and the next generation of electrical professionals.

IEC SPARK 2025 Highlights

The IEC Foundation proudly kicked off this year’s IEC SPARK with a Day of Service at The Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Our board members, chapter leaders, partners, and volunteers joined forces to pack food and prepare meals for the local community. A heartfelt thank you to K2 Electric for their generous donations and support in making this service event a success! 

Together, we can make a lasting impact. By supporting the Gene Mini Community Service Project, you’re helping the IEC Foundation fight hunger and deliver hope to families in need. Join us in making a difference- please donate to help us reach our goal of $10,000 for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the 2025 IEC Foundation TopGolf Fundraiser! It was an incredible evening filled with live auctions, friendly competition, and meaningful connections—all in support of the IEC Foundation’s mission.

This event would not have been possible without the support of our generous donors, sponsors, partners, & volunteers who continue to help us expand opportunities and create lasting impact.

Thank you Southwire for being our Premier sponsor! We are grateful for your commitment. We can’t wait to see you at the next IEC Foundation event!

Congratulations to Lindsey K. Hill, who won the IECF Rev Up a Win Raffle! Thank you all for your support of the IEC Foundation's mission.

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. 

“The National Student Challenge opens the hands-on world of construction to students in CTE programs across our high schools. It helps them understand the difference between a profession that spends its time in an office designing and a profession that’s out on a project installing that design. It’s more than just a competition — it’s a pathway for students to discover where they truly belong in the construction industry.” - Zack Jarmon, Director of Business Development, IEC Dallas

IEC Dallas at Bowie Middle School

IECF Scholarship Student Spotlight

Meet Brandon Roundtree, a 2nd year apprentice at IEC Atlanta! 



Why he chose IEC: "I wanted to be a residential electrician specifically and this was the best route for that."

Favorite part of the program: "The instructors—they care about educating the next generation of electricians to be both safe and successful in the field."

Future goals: "I would love to start an organization partnered with the Southern Baptist Convention and travel to areas devastated by natural disasters in the U.S. to help with relief efforts."

Advice for future apprentices: "Completing a program like the IEC will be something that nobody can take from you and will follow you and your career the rest of your life. Invest yourself in the process and see your career blossom."

Meet Luke Gibson, a 2nd-year apprentice at IEC of Kansas! 

Why he chose IEC: “To be the best electrician I can be now, I needed a good understanding of theory and code as well as the methods of installation and repair.”

Favorite part of the program: “The community and the drive we all have to learn and improve.”

Future goals: “I hope to get my journeyman’s this summer and my master’s license shortly after graduating the program.”

Advice for future apprentices: “Ask questions and be hungry to learn. Don’t be offended by critique, and remember there are so many ways to do our work—there is always room to grow.”

Meet Haylee Hyde, a 1st-year apprentice at IEC Central Ohio! 

Why she chose IEC: “I chose IEC because I want to be the best electrician I can be.”

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.”

How to Get Involved

The Home Depot Pro Xtra Program

Here’s how your involvement can make a difference:

Support IEC Chapters & Apprentices: Every purchase you make at The Home Depot as a ProXtra Loyalty Program member helps fund grants and programs that empower our IEC community.

Maximize Your Impact: The spending you’re already doing can have a greater impact. By enrolling, you ensure that a portion of your spending goes toward important initiatives that support the next generation of skilled professionals.

Be a Part of Something Bigger: Joining Pro Xtra is an easy way to amplify your contributions to the community, ensuring that your everyday purchases are making a difference.

*Make sure you use "IEC" for your Agreement Code*