CPWR—The Center for Construction Research and Training is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, dedicated to reducing occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in the construction industry. Founded in 1990 and created by the North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU), CPWR operates as a world leader in construction safety and health research and training. The organization serves the construction industry nationwide through collaborative partnerships with workers, contractors, project owners, health and safety professionals, researchers, government agencies, unions, and associations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$13.0M
-4.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$7.2M
+5.5% YoY
Grant Count
29
+16.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$248K
-9.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
CPWR's mission is to carry out research, training, and related services in the construction industry with a focus on occupational safety, health, and working conditions. The organization identifies hazards, conducts research on risks and solutions, and accelerates the adoption of safer tools, equipment, and work practices on construction sites through its research-into-practice (r2p) approach.
CPWR serves as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) National Construction Center and operates three main program areas:
CDC/NIOSH Safety and Health Research in the Construction Industry: Research grants sponsored by NIOSH targeted to improve worker safety and health on construction sites, with more than 20 different projects funded under this program.
NIEHS Hazardous Materials Worker Health and Safety Training: Involves eleven national construction unions in training approximately 14,000 members annually. CPWR and its consortium of building trades unions offer comprehensive construction safety and health training programs, including OSHA 500, 30, and 10-hour programs, hazardous waste training, and refresher courses.
DOE National Former Workers Notification & Medical Screening Program: Provides medical screening services for construction workers formerly employed at Department of Energy nuclear sites. In 2022, over 1,500 screenings were completed across 35 identified sites.
Grantmaking
CPWR's construction programs are funded through large, multi-year cooperative agreements with federal government agencies including NIOSH, NIEHS, and the Department of Energy. The organization also provides grant funding to other entities, with total giving reported at $7,193,261 in recent filings. Grant awards typically range from $7,614 to $4,165,195.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
CPWR serves the construction industry nationwide. Grant-making activities have primary focus in Michigan, Illinois, and Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2023 Financial Data:
- Total revenues: $18,896,630
- Total expenses: $18,093,726
- Total assets: $13,665,304
- Number of employees: 41
Additional Financial Information:
- Total giving: $7,193,261
- The organization maintains a strong financial position with a Four-Star rating reflecting 96% overall score in accountability and finance metrics.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $13,014,850 | $13,665,304 | $10,981,361 |
| Revenue | $19,702,256 | $18,896,630 | $17,330,296 |
| Expenses | $19,276,765 | $18,093,726 | $16,966,697 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $162,207 | $98,881 | $4,773 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
127 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Zenith Ame Solution ($3,984,979), National Ironworkers ($368,862), Washington University ($319,029).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BUILDING PATHWAYS INC ROXBURY, MA | ADMINISTRATION | $192,843 |
| CARNEGIE MELLON UNIV PITTSBURGH, PA | SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH | $10,000 |
| COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY FORT COLLINS, CO | SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH | $10,000 |
| FINISHING TRADES INSTITUTE HANOVER, MD | SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH | $117,668 |
| FTI OF DISTRICT COUNCIL88 HOUSTON, TX | SAFETY AND HEALTH TRAINING | $99,610 |
| GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH ATLANTA, GA | SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH | $40,000 |
| GST MICHIGAN WORKS FLINT, MI | SAFETY AND HEALTH TRAINING | $174,008 |
| INSULATION INDUSTRY LANHAM, MD | SAFETY AND HEALTH TRAINING | $310,340 |
| ITI FOR THE SHEET METAL & AC INDUSTRY FALLS CHURCH, VA | SAFETY AND HEALTH TRAINING | $100,691 |
| JOBTRAIN MENLO PARK, CA | SAFETY AND HEALTH TRAINING | $169,962 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Chris Cain serves as Principal Officer of the organization.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRIS CAIN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 35 | $219,402 |
| SEAN MCGARVEY | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| BRANDON BISHOP | SECRETARY TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JONATHAN D NEWMAN | VP/ GENERAL COUNSEL | 1 | — |
| REV J CLETUS KILEY | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JEFF PEOPLES | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KENNETH J RUETER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARY TARBRAKE | ASSOC. DIR FINANCE/ADMIN | 35 | $172,638 |
| RICK RINEHART | DEPUTY DIRECTOR | 35 | $189,616 |
| QUINN PATRICIA | DIRECTOR, ENERGY EMPLOYEES PROJECTS | 35 | $133,363 |
| GUSTAFSON GARY | DIRECTOR, ENV HAZARDS TRAINING | 35 | $130,144 |
| MEMARIAN BABAK | DIRECTOR, SAFETY RESEARCH | 35 | $129,199 |
| SURTEES STEVE | DIRECTOR, CAREER WORKERS | 35 | $124,942 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
CPWR publishes an UPDATE monthly e-newsletter covering the organization's latest research, training, and service activities, plus new publications and online resources. The organization also publishes an annual report titled "Highlights" that examines important discoveries, achievements, and activities each year.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cpwr the Center for Construction fund?
CPWR's mission is to carry out research, training, and related services in the construction industry with a focus on occupational safety, health, and working conditions. The organization identifies hazards, conducts research on risks and solutions, and accelerates the adoption of safer tools, equipment, and work practices on construction sites through its research-into-practice (r2p) approach. CPWR serves as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) National Constructi…
How do I apply for a grant from Cpwr the Center for Construction?
CPWR's construction programs are funded through large, multi-year cooperative agreements with federal government agencies including NIOSH, NIEHS, and the Department of Energy. The organization also provides grant funding to other entities, with total giving reported at $7,193,261 in recent filings. Grant awards typically range from $7,614 to $4,165,195.
Where does Cpwr the Center for Construction make grants?
CPWR serves the construction industry nationwide. Grant-making activities have primary focus in Michigan, Illinois, and Maryland.
What size grants does Cpwr the Center for Construction award?
In 2024, Cpwr the Center for Construction awarded 29 grants totaling $7.2M — an average of about $248K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Cpwr the Center for Construction's EIN?
Cpwr the Center for Construction's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1172454. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cpwr the Center for Construction's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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