one by one®: The Hourglass Foundation
This spring, The Hourglass Foundation embarked on a campaign to fund four scholarships for young people pursuing careers as auto technicians and in skilled trades. With help from a one by one grant, the nonprofit was able to better prepare for its first trade show. Additionally, the grant helped the organization purchase donor recognition gifts in the form of camp coffee mugs—giving the campaign a caffeine-like boost.
The Hourglass Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Flexco Fleet Services, a fleet remarketing company based in Ohio. It’s a nonprofit with a mission to empower first-generation, low-income and diversely underrepresented students through scholarship opportunities. These scholarships support educational endeavors in automotive technology and other skilled trades like electrical, construction, plumbing and more.
Since its launch in 2017, the organization has raised more than $90,000, and this year has awarded four direct scholarships plus six additional student scholarships through community college partners. By investing in the next generation of automotive and skilled trades professionals, the nonprofit aims to lead young people toward solid employment opportunities, successful career paths and independence.
“Along with raising awareness for auto tech and skilled trades as viable career paths, we want to help be a part of the bigger solution and address the auto tech shortage and skilled labor gap,” said Kim Davidson, executive director.
Each year, The Hourglass Foundation awards four scholarships of either $1,000 or $2,000. One scholarship is broadly for any student pursuing these career paths. Two are targeted to women, who are greatly underrepresented in the trades industry, and the fourth pays for a student to buy the tools necessary in their field of study.
Banner, donor recognition gifts make trade show debut
The Hourglass Foundation used its one by one grant not only to purchase coffee mugs, but for a retractable banner display too. The mugs were given to donors during a fundraising push in April. Dubbed a “Triple Impact” campaign, donations up to $1,000 were matched by Flexco Fleet Services and the concierge vehicle transportation services company HopDrive®. The Hourglass Foundation successfully used the banner display to increase visibility and awareness at its first trade show.
Davidson said she chose the mugs because they make a nice giveaway at events, are versatile and can be stuffed with a note or candy when mailed to contributors. “I think the mug is personable,” she said. “It’s a feel-good item.”
A note from Cheryl
The Hourglass Foundation proudly empowers students to achieve their dreams, and we were proud to help the organization carry out its mission by providing a banner and mugs. It’s heartwarming to hear how promotional tools and donor recognition gifts can have a small role in this endeavor. If you’re interested in a one by one grant, visit onebyone.4imprint.com.
Trademark
HOPDRIVE is a registered trademark of Social Auto Transport, Inc., 1717 E. Cary Street, Richmond, VIRGINIA UNITED STATES 23223