Lowe’s Foundation is committing $250 million over the next decade to train and develop 250,000 skilled tradespeople by 2035.
The investment, announced on April 7, 2026, represents a five-fold increase from the foundation’s previous $50 million commitment made in 2023.
The funds will support grants to community colleges, technical schools and nonprofit organizations through the company’s Gable Grants program to expand training in plumbing, carpentry, electrical work and other skilled trades, according to a Lowe’s press release.
Lowe’s Chairman and CEO Marvin Ellison said skilled trades are “critical to the future” and essential to American prosperity.
“While we believe strongly in the power of AI, the reality is that hands-on trades work cannot be fully replaced by technology and will only become more important in the years ahead,” Ellison said in a statement reported by Fortune.
The company said it is on track to exceed its earlier goal of training 50,000 workers by 2027, potentially reaching that target a year early. The new $250 million commitment will be deployed through 2035.
The United States continues to face a significant shortage of skilled trades workers. Industry groups have estimated a need for hundreds of thousands of additional construction and trades professionals in the coming years.
Lowe’s previously invested nearly $53 million through its foundation to support 65 nonprofits and community colleges focused on trades education.
We’re excited to announce $10M+ in new Gable Grants to 15 community-based and national nonprofits! This brings our network to 65 organizations and marks a $53M investment to expand skilled trades training and career pathways nationwide. https://t.co/S1LfCa6Dlo pic.twitter.com/x7zR2dmyKW
— Lowe's Foundation (@lowesfoundation) February 17, 2026
The expanded initiative also includes a storytelling component, with a three-part series titled “Building Back America’s Trades” scheduled to premiere on Magnolia Network.
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