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Gene Haas Foundation

Annual Giving
$32.0M
Grant Range
$5K - $1.0M
Success Rate
98%

Gene Haas Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $32 million (2024)
  • Total Giving Since 1999: Over $275 million
  • Success Rate: 98% (for educational institutions meeting pre-qualification criteria)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly specified; rolling review process
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $1,000,000 (varies by program and institution)
  • Geographic Focus: National for education grants; Ventura County CA, Clark County NV, and Cabarrus County NC for community grants

Contact Details

Address: Gene Haas Foundation, 2800 Sturgis Road, Oxnard, CA 93030

Website: https://www.ghaasfoundation.org/

Application Portal: https://www.ghaasfoundation.org/apply-now

Community Grants: https://www.ghaasfoundation.org/community-grants

Contact: Contact form available on website

Overview

The Gene Haas Foundation was established in 1999 by Gene Francis Haas, founder and president of Haas Automation, the largest CNC machine tool manufacturer in North America. Since inception, the foundation has invested over $275 million in manufacturing education and community support, with $32 million distributed in 2024 alone. The foundation's primary mission is to "introduce to and educate individuals for the field of manufacturing technologies specifically CNC machining." Gene Haas stated: "Manufacturing is an exciting and dynamic industry – and it is important to us that our industry continues to grow and prosper." According to Kathy Looman, Director of Education, "Another thing that has been in Gene's heart since he started in the business was giving back," initially focusing on the California community and Haas Automation employees' families, then expanding to industry education approximately 13 years ago. The foundation has become one of the largest supporters of manufacturing and technical education in the United States.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Manufacturing Education Grants (National Scope)

  • Post-Secondary Scholarship Programs: $5,000 - $1,000,000+ - Scholarship grants awarded to community colleges, trade schools, technical colleges, and universities for students receiving hands-on CNC machining training. Schools serve as applicants and recipients, then distribute scholarships to eligible students. Application: Online portal, apply once annually for upcoming academic year (2025/2026 applications currently open).

  • Student Team Sponsorships: Variable amounts - Grants for approved student competition teams (FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Tech Challenge, SAE competitions, etc.) where students design and build products utilizing CNC machining. Application: Online portal with competition-specific requirements.

  • Teacher Training Programs: Grant-funded summer training programs for teachers at seven selected schools, providing professional development in CNC machining and manufacturing education.

  • Haas Technical Educators Conferences (HTEC): Support for professional development conferences bringing together manufacturing educators.

  • Gene Haas Centers and Labs Endorsement Grants: Significant funding for preeminent training facilities and schools expanding their CNC machining programs. These are naming grants recognizing exceptional programs.

Community Grants (Geographic Restrictions Apply)

  • Grant amounts vary; recent examples include multi-year grants to organizations like Boys and Girls Clubs, Food Share, Three Square, Rescue Mission, and Goodwill Industries. Application: Online portal, rolling deadline basis.

Priority Areas

Manufacturing Education:

  • CNC machining and manufacturing technology training programs
  • Hands-on technical education at community colleges, trade schools, and technical institutions
  • Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs preparing students for advanced manufacturing careers
  • Programs that provide practical experience with modern manufacturing equipment and processes
  • Student competitions that incorporate design, engineering, and CNC machining skills

Community Support:

  • Organizations serving fundamental needs of underserved populations
  • Programs focused on children and elderly populations
  • Food security and poverty relief initiatives
  • Organizations addressing needs created by natural and man-made disasters
  • Children's charities and youth development programs

What They Don't Fund

Explicit Exclusions:

  • Individual applicants: The foundation does not make grants directly to individuals; all grants go to schools or 501(c)(3) organizations
  • Third-party scholarship distributors: Cannot grant funds to third-party organizations to distribute scholarships; schools must manage scholarship distribution directly
  • Purchases from Haas Automation or HFO Dealer Network: Due to IRS tax law requirements, foundation funds cannot be used for any product or service manufactured or distributed by Haas Automation or its HFO (Haas Factory Outlet) dealer network, including Haas Tooling or service calls to repair machines
  • Community grants outside designated areas: Community grants limited to organizations in Ventura County CA, Clark County NV, and Cabarrus County NC
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) status: All grants require tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code

Governance and Leadership

Founder: Gene Francis Haas - Founder, President, and sole stockholder of Haas Automation, Inc. Established the foundation in 1999 to give back to the community and support the manufacturing industry's future workforce.

Key Leadership:

  • Joanne Haas: Director of Community Grants - Oversees the foundation's community grant programs in Ventura County CA, Clark County NV, and Cabarrus County NC
  • Kathy Looman: Director of Education & Gene Haas Centers Naming Grants - Manages educational grant programs and reviews hundreds of schools annually

Member Council (Education Program Advisory):

  • Matt Erbach (President): South Elgin High School, Illinois
  • Courtenay Rimaldi (Vice President): Mission Secondary School, British Columbia

Leadership Philosophy: According to Kathy Looman, Gene Haas's commitment has been deeply personal: "Another thing that has been in Gene's heart since he started in the business was giving back." About 13 years ago, the focus shifted significantly toward industry education, resulting in $175 million invested in schools since that strategic pivot.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Manufacturing Education Grants:

  1. Eligibility Verification: Only public schools and private schools/programs with nonprofit status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (or their 501(c)(3) supporting foundation) may apply. Universities are eligible if they have hands-on CNC training classes, including boot camps.

  2. Online Application: Access the application portal at https://www.ghaasfoundation.org/apply-now. Applications are managed through Submittable platform.

  3. Application Frequency: Applicants may apply once annually. Schools with both secondary and post-secondary students should submit a single comprehensive application.

  4. Pre-Qualification: The foundation sets strict criteria that schools must meet before submitting applications. This vetting process includes a full evaluation of the school's program, with scoring based on approximately a dozen different criteria assessing program strength.

  5. Program Review: The director reviews hundreds of schools each year, evaluating the quality and scope of CNC machining programs, equipment needs, student enrollment, and program outcomes.

Community Grants:

  1. Geographic Eligibility: Must be a 501(c)(3) organization in Ventura County CA, Clark County NV, or Cabarrus County NC

  2. Mission Alignment: Organization's mission must provide for fundamental needs of the underserved local community, primarily children or the elderly

  3. Online Application: Submit through the community grants portal at https://www.ghaasfoundation.org/community-grants

  4. Rolling Deadline: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis

Decision Timeline

The foundation operates on a rolling review basis for most programs. Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed, but the high volume of applications (hundreds annually) and high approval rate (98% for qualified education applicants) suggest regular review cycles throughout the year. Schools applying for the upcoming academic year (2025/2026) should apply during the current application cycle.

Success Rates

Exceptional Approval Rate: The Gene Haas Foundation is able to fund 98% of the schools that apply for educational grants, according to Director of Education Kathy Looman. However, this remarkable success rate is achieved because the foundation sets strict pre-qualification criteria that schools must meet before submitting applications. Schools that don't meet the program quality standards are unlikely to pass the initial screening, ensuring that most applications that reach the full review stage are approved.

Volume: In 2023, the foundation awarded close to 3,000 grants totaling $21 million, demonstrating substantial capacity to fund qualifying programs.

Reapplication Policy

Annual Applications: Applicants may apply once annually for education grants. The foundation's high approval rate (98%) means few organizations need to reapply after rejection. Specific policies for unsuccessful applicants were not publicly disclosed, but the annual application cycle allows organizations to strengthen their programs and reapply in subsequent years.

Application Success Factors

The Gene Haas Foundation's 98% approval rate for qualified applicants indicates that meeting their pre-qualification criteria is the most critical success factor. Based on documented foundation priorities and funding patterns, here are the key factors:

Program Quality and Hands-On Training: The foundation evaluates programs using approximately a dozen criteria focused on program strength. Schools must demonstrate substantive hands-on CNC machining training programs, not just theoretical coursework. Universities are specifically noted as eligible "if they have hands on CNC Training Classes, including boot camps" - emphasizing the practical training requirement.

Clear Educational Mission: The foundation's core mission is "introducing to and educating individuals for the field of manufacturing technologies specifically CNC machining." Applications should clearly articulate how the program prepares students for manufacturing careers and addresses the skilled workforce shortage in the industry.

Meeting Pre-Qualification Standards: The foundation sets strict criteria that schools must meet before submitting applications. Based on funded examples, successful programs typically demonstrate:

  • Established CNC machining or manufacturing technology curriculum
  • Qualified instructors with industry experience
  • Student enrollment numbers and completion rates
  • Equipment needs and facility capabilities
  • Alignment with industry standards and certifications (such as NIMS)

Recent Funding Examples:

  • Large transformational grants ($250,000 - $1,000,000): Major programs at community colleges establishing or expanding Gene Haas Advanced Manufacturing Centers (Gadsden State: $1M; Meridian Community College: $250K in 2020 + $42K in 2024)
  • Substantial program grants ($40,000 - $50,000): Established programs supporting multiple scholarship recipients (Wallace State: $50K; Meridian CC: $42K)
  • Standard scholarship grants ($10,000 - $18,000): Typical awards for quality programs at community colleges and technical schools (South Dakota Mines: $10K; Madisonville CC: $12K; Casper College: $18K)

For Community Grants: Organizations must serve fundamental needs of underserved populations, particularly children or the elderly, in the designated geographic areas (Ventura County CA, Clark County NV, or Cabarrus County NC). The foundation has longstanding relationships with organizations like Boys and Girls Clubs, Food Share, Three Square, Rescue Mission, and Goodwill Industries.

What NOT To Do:

  • Do not request funds to purchase Haas Automation equipment or services - this violates IRS requirements and is explicitly prohibited
  • Do not apply as an individual or third-party scholarship distributor
  • Do not apply for community grants if located outside the three designated counties
  • Do not submit applications from universities without hands-on CNC training components

Foundation's Advice: According to Kathy Looman, the foundation's success is built on "giving back" and supporting "the industry and education." Applications that demonstrate how they contribute to Gene Haas's vision of ensuring "our industry continues to grow and prosper" by developing the next generation of skilled manufacturing professionals align most strongly with funding priorities.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Exceptionally high success rate: 98% of schools that meet pre-qualification criteria and submit applications receive funding - focus on meeting their program quality standards rather than crafting a competitive application against other applicants

  • Pre-qualification is critical: The foundation screens programs before accepting applications; ensure your CNC machining or manufacturing technology program meets quality standards with hands-on training, qualified instructors, and demonstrated student outcomes

  • Hands-on training is mandatory: Universities and four-year institutions must offer hands-on CNC training classes or boot camps to be eligible; theoretical or research-only programs do not qualify

  • School-based applications only: Apply as the educational institution or 501(c)(3) organization, never as an individual or third-party distributor; schools manage scholarship distribution to students after receiving grants

  • Significant scale and commitment: With $32 million distributed in 2024 and nearly 3,000 grants awarded in 2023, the foundation has substantial capacity; don't be deterred by perceived competition given the 98% approval rate

  • IRS restrictions matter: Never request funds for Haas Automation products or HFO dealer network services; this is a strict legal prohibition that will disqualify applications

  • Geographic specificity for community grants: Community support grants are exclusively for organizations in Ventura County CA, Clark County NV, or Cabarrus County NC - do not apply if located elsewhere

  • Annual application cycle: You can apply once per year; use the time between applications to strengthen your program if you need to reapply

References

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