Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Grant Program
Funding Amount
Not stated
Deadline
Deadline not published
Grant Type
Foundation
Can we apply?
Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.
Eligible organizations
- Harbor Freight Tools is proud to support nonprofit organizations in the following areas:K-12 Public EducationVeterans.
Required status
- 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
- In operation at least a years
Other requirements
- Fire & Police Departments.
Not eligible / not funded
- Not eligible: Religiously-Affiliated Institutions, Groups, and Events.
- Not eligible: Healthcare causesPolitical, athletic, or social organizationsIndividuals
Overview
The Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Grant Program, initiated by Eric Smidt through The Smidt Foundation, supports high school students in skilled trades education. This initiative facilitates pathways to graduation and fosters opportunities for meaningful employment. Each year, it awards $1.5 million in cash prizes to 25 exceptional U.S. public high school skilled trades teachers, enhancing support and investment in trades education. This program is a vital resource for schools aiming to improve their vocational training.
Background
Harbor Freight Tools for Schools was established by Harbor Freight Tools owner and founder Eric Smidt and is a program of The Smidt Foundation.
High school students with access to high quality skilled trades education have pathways to graduation, opportunity, good jobs and a workforce our country needs. With a deep respect for the dignity of these fields and for the intelligence and creativity of people who work with their hands, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools aims to drive increased understanding, support and investment in skilled trades education in U.S. public schools.
Learn more about the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence – which awards $1.5 million in cash prizes to 25 outstanding U.S. public high school skilled trades teachers and their programs each year – and about Harbor Freight Tools for Schools research and grantmaking on their website.
Harbor Freight Tools is a major supporter of the Harbor Freight Tools for Schools program.
Eligibility
Harbor Freight Tools is proud to support nonprofit organizations in the following areas:K-12 Public EducationVeteransFire & Police DepartmentsPlease note that we only consider nonprofit organizations that have been in operation for more than a year and maintain 501(c)3 status.
Ineligibility
Religiously-Affiliated Institutions, Groups, and EventsHealthcare causesPolitical, athletic, or social organizationsIndividuals
Past recipients of this program
Recent awards under this program (from The Smidt Foundation's IRS filings)
South Kitsap School District
Port Orchard, WA · 2024
$70K
Erie City School District
Erie, PA · 2024
$70K
Cherry Creek Schools Foundation
Greenwood Village, CO · 2024
$70K
Lyons Township High School District 204
La Grange, IL · 2024
$70K
Clark County School District
Las Vegas, NV · 2024
$70K
198 grants in The Smidt Foundation's 2020–2024 filings reference “Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Grant Program” in their stated purpose. Amounts and places as reported by the funder.
What The Smidt Foundation actually gave
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2024
- Grants in 2024
- 145
- Total given
- $21.11M
- Median grant
- $35K
- Range
- $500–$3M
- By dollars: California 51%, New York 27%, Rhode Island 9%. Top recipient cities: Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; Washington, DC.
- 33% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
- 39% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.
Example grants
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · Los Angeles, CA
Smidt heart institute
$3M
Anti-Defamation League · New York, NY
General operating support
$2.03M
Holocaust Museum LA · Los Angeles, CA
General operating support; project support
$2.03M
PEF Israel Endowment Funds Inc · New York, NY
Nonprofit support
$1.74M
United Jewish Appeal-Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York Inc · New York, NY
General operating support; project support
$1M
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- K-12 schools
- Teachers
- Education
Categories
Browse similar grants by category
Related Grants
Open grants from this funder and similar programs
Operating Grants
The Daniel Foundation of Alabama
Amount
Up to US $25,000
Deadline
October 30, 2026
Listed date — confirm with the funder
National Science Foundation Fostering Interdisciplinary Networks to Develop Emergent and Responsive Solutions Foundry (NSF FINDERS FOUNDRY)
U.S. National Science Foundation
Amount
$8,500,000 total
Deadline
November 18, 2026
NIA Expanding Research in AD/ADRD (ERA) Summer Research Education Program (R25 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
National Institutes of Health
Amount
Up to $200,000
Deadline
May 26, 2027
Grants to Amateur Radio Organizations
Arrl Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $3,000
Deadline
October 31, 2026
Listed date — confirm with the funder
AAUW Branch and State Affiliate Community Action Grants
American Association of University Women Inc
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
October 29, 2026
Listed date — confirm with the funder
Kurt Weill Foundation Grant Program: College/University and Amateur Performance
The Kurt Weill Foundation for Music
Amount
Up to US $15,000
Deadline
Expected ~November
Based on past cycles
Ready to apply for Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Grant Program?
Grantable helps you assess fit, draft narratives, and track deadlines — so you can submit stronger applications, faster.
You found Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Grant Program. Now let's win it.