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Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Grant Program

The Smidt Foundation

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

IRS Form 990-PF, 2024. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

  • K-12 schools
  • Teachers
  • Education

Categories

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