Benchmark Grant

The goal of the Benchmark grants is to honor schools that have been doing an outstanding job in educating students in collision repair, but need some financial assistance to improve their program’s teaching materials and equipment. With strained school budgets, Benchmark is honored to have the opportunity to bridge the program’s financial gap and to make a difference in the lives of the students studying collision repair.

Award Categories for 2023:

• Attraction/Recruitment: Highlight efforts the school is making to attract and recruit students and new talent into the program and therefore into the collision repair industry. How will this grant assist the school in attracting more students to the program? 
• Program Maintenance: Explain the equipment and/or training the school needs to keep the program a viable option for the demands of preparing collision repair professionals. How will this grant help the school maintain a successful program? 
• Program Additions: Explain what tools and/or equipment are needed to bring the program closer to meeting the next Benchmark Tier outlined by CREF. How will this grant help the school meet the next available tier? 
• Employment: Highlight how the school is making the connection between the program and the employers in the area. How is the school assisting its students in becoming more employable? How will this grant increase student employability?  
• Wildcard: Fueling Innovation Grant: Highlight the exciting, new, innovative ways the school and/or the program is training the next generation. Or—What great idea do staff have that with this grant they can create innovation at the school or in the program?