Funding Amount

Varies by award (typically $5,000 - $25,000)

Deadline

June 30, 2026

83 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

2026 Benchmark Awards

Funder: Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF)

Status: Applications open January 20, 2026; deadline June 30, 2026

Geographic Scope: United States (high school and college programs)

Focus Areas: Collision repair education programs

Program Description:
CREF's Benchmark Awards provide funding to high school and college collision repair educational programs to help instructors elevate their programs and enhance students' learning experiences. These awards recognize schools that excel at educating students in collision repair but require additional financial assistance due to strained school budgets.

What Funding Supports:

  • Tools and equipment

  • Educational supplies

  • Program enhancements and curriculum advancement

  • Technology and state-of-the-art repair procedures training

  • Materials to support student learning
  • Eligibility:

  • High school collision repair programs

  • College/community college collision repair programs

  • Programs must demonstrate commitment to collision repair education
  • Historical Impact:

  • Over 16 years of funding, nearly 1,200 Benchmark Awards distributed

  • Over $5 million total distributed since program inception in 2009

  • 2025: 104 programs awarded $726,500 (record year)

  • Benefits over 5,300 students annually

  • Over 50,000 future industry professionals served
  • Additional Benefits:

  • Schools completing the application survey automatically gain access to The Donation Exchange powered by CREF

  • Non-selected applicants remain eligible to receive tools, equipment and supplies donated by industry sponsors
  • Contact Information:

  • Email: info@ed-foundation.org

  • Website: collisionrepaireducationfoundation.org

  • Address: 5125 Trillium Blvd, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192
  • About CREF:
    Founded in 1991, CREF is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting collision repair educational programs, schools and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with career opportunities.

    How to Apply

    Application Process

    Timeline:

  • Applications open: January 20, 2026

  • Deadline: June 30, 2026
  • How to Apply:
    1. Visit bit.ly/CREFschools to access the online application
    2. Complete the application survey
    3. Submit by June 30, 2026 deadline

    Application Benefits:

  • Completing the application survey automatically provides schools access to The Donation Exchange powered by CREF
  • What to Request:
    The application allows instructors to request specific items needed to advance their curriculum, including:

  • Tools

  • Equipment

  • Supplies

  • Technology

  • Materials for curriculum enhancement
  • Selection Process:

  • Schools are reviewed and selected for funding based on demonstrated excellence in collision repair education

  • Non-selected applicants remain eligible to receive donated tools, equipment and supplies from industry sponsors through The Donation Exchange
  • Additional Resources:

  • The Donation Exchange (donation-exchange.org/schools) - Instructors can search for available donated items their programs need
  • Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    educationk-12-schools

    Categories

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